Plants and soils: the practical guide for making the right choice
Every garden has its soil, and every soil has its preferred plants. Trying to plant lavender in waterlogged clay soil or a rhododendron in chalky soil is destined to fail. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is essential to know the nature of your soil and to select the appropriate plants.
Here is a practical guide that will help you choose the right plants according to the type of your land.
The main categories of soils and their suitable plants
| Soil type | Main characteristics | Examples of adapted plants |
|---|---|---|
| Acid soil | Light, often forested, pH < 6 | Acer palmatum, heather, camellia, rhododendron, bigleaf hydrangea, pieris, blueberry |
| Calcareous / alkaline soil | Draining, rich in minerals, pH > 7 | Barberry, Butterfly bush, Smoke tree, Deutzia, Lilac, Guelder rose, Mock orange |
| Clay soil | Rich in nutrients, heavy, retains water | Aucuba, Deutzia, Smoke bush, Firethorn, Flowering currant, Lesser periwinkle |
| Sandy soil | Light, draining, low in organic matter | Lavender, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Santolina, Broom, Eryngium, Helianthemum |
| Humus soil | Very fertile, rich in organic matter | Hostas, Astilbes, Foxgloves, Primula, ferns |
How to use this guide?
- For the flower beds: combine plants according to the nature of the soil, but remember to play with contrasts of textures and colours.
- For hedges: choose shrubs that are suitable for your soil, so that they remain vigorous and require little maintenance.
- For rockeries or dry areas: choose Mediterranean species or those suited to poor soils, such as lavender or broom.
Can we adapt soil to plants?
It is possible to improve certain soils through amendments:
- Adding sand or gravel to lighten clay soil.
- Compost and organic matter to enrich sandy soil.
- Calcareous amendments to correct overly acidic soil.
But in most cases, it is better to choose plants that are in harmony with the nature of the soil rather than trying to transform it deeply.
In summary
A successful garden is based on a simple principle: the right plant in the right place. Identifying the nature of your soil and selecting the appropriate species ensures you have a harmonious, sustainable, and easy-to-maintain space.