Plants for Chalky Soil

Lime-loving, drought-tolerant plants do best. Many sun-loving and Mediterranean-style plants actually prefer the free-draining, alkaline conditions that chalk provides, over richer, heavier soil.

Acid-lovers struggle on chalk. Most rhododendrons, camellias and blue hydrangeas want acidic soil, so they are better grown in pots of ericaceous compost than in chalky ground.

Dig in plenty of organic matter to help the shallow soil hold moisture and nutrients, and mulch each year. You cannot easily change its lime content, so it is simpler to choose plants that enjoy alkaline conditions.

It drains fast and dries out quickly, so new plants need regular water while they root in. Established drought-tolerant plants cope well, and adding organic matter helps the soil hold on to more moisture.