UK gardening help and assistance


Shrubs for areas of chalky soil (R to Y)

ARBUTUS to COTONEASTER
DEUTZIA to HYPERICUM
ILEX to PYRACANTHA
RHUS to YUCCA

Here's a list of some shrubs which grow well in areas of chalky soil - the list is not exhaustive and any suggestions of further suitable shrubs will be welcome.

*: E = evergreen

Figures in brackets indicate the approximate height in feet usually attained after 10 years under average conditions.


RHUS (STAGS HORN SUMACH)
TYPHINA (10)   Brown furry stems, good autumn leaf colour.
- LACINIATA (9)   Deeply cut foliage giving good autumn colour.
RIBES (FLOWERING CURRANT)
ODORATUM (6)   Bright yellow, fragrant flowers,
SANG' KING EDWARD VII (6)   Deep crimson flowers in April
- PULBOROUGH SCARLET (8)   Rich red flowers in April, upright growth
SPECIOSUM   Red fuchsia like flowers in April prefers a sheltered site
Romneya (Tree Poppy - Fried Egg Plant)
- coulteri (8)   Papery, pure-white, poppy-like flowers with golden-yellow centres from July to October and deeply lobed, grey-green leaves
ROSMARINUS (ROSEMARY)
MISS JESSOPS UPRIGHT (4)  E  Aromatic foliage, blue flowers in may
PROSTRATA (2)  E  Flat trailing stems, blue flowers
ROSEUS (2-3)  E  Aromatic foliage, pink flowers in June
SAMBUCUS (ELDER)
NIGRA AUREA (6)   Rich golden foliage, black berries.
- ALBO VARIEGATA (6)   Irregular cream-white margin on leaf.
- BLACK BEAUTY (6)   Deep purple foliage, pink tinged flowers in spring
SUTHERLAND GOLD (6)   Golden cut foliage, white flowers in April followed by red berries
SANTOLINA
CHAMAECYPARIS (2)  E  Silver, woolly foliage, yellow button flowers.
SENECIO
GREYII (SUNSHINE) (4)  E  Yellow daisy-like flowers June- July, silver foliage.
Spartium (Spannish Broom) - harmful if eaten
junceum (10)   bright yellow flowers, July to September
Symphoricarpos (Snowberry)
albus (7)   Small, pink, bell-shaped flowers June to September. Berries mature Autumn but rarely ripen in UK.
doorenbosii (7)   Comparatively insignificant white flowers produces numerous white berries with a pink flush.
SYRINGA (LILAC)
VULGARIS IN VARIETY (7)   A selection of single & double flowers in a variety of colours
MICROPHYLLA SUPERBA (4)   Rosy pink flowers from May-Sept.
VELUTINA (PALIBINIANA) (5)   Pale lilac flowers from May-Jun
TAMARIX
PENTANDRA (8)   Scented pink flowers, feathery foliage
TETANDRA (8)   Loose spreading foliage, light pink flowers in may.
VINCA (PERIWINKLE)
MAJOR (1)  E  Good ground cover, lavender-blue flowers from Mar-May.
- VARIEGATA (1)  E  Variegated foliage, blue flowers from Mar-May.
MINOR (1)  E  Blue flowers from Mar-May.
- ATROPURPUREA (6")  E  Deep plum-purple flowers from Mar-May.
- VARIEGATA (6")  E  Lavender-blue flowers, leaves variegated creamy-white.
WEIGELIA
BRIANT RUBIDOR (6)   Leaves splashed golden-yellow, ruby-red flowers May-June.
BRISTOL RUBY (7)   Erect growth, ruby-red flowers from Jun-July
FOLLIS PURPUREIS (4)   Purple foliage, rose-pink flowers in May
FLORIDA VARIEGATA (NANA) (5)   Creamy-yellow variegated leaves, pink flowers.
YUCCA
FILAMENTOSA (6)  E  Sword-like foliage, cream flower spikes from Jul-Aug
VARIEGATA (4)  E  Variegated foliage, creamy flower spikes in summer