@B3 For sure lots of plants love growing in paving and gravel, sand or v poor soil. I'm just noting that Beth Chatto particular gardens were not just put in but lots of work was done to prepare.
On my patch we are growing under street trees in the area. Hundred year old plane trees by us are in sand over clay (to help drainage). Lots of plants are enjoying being planted straight into v sandy soil, including verbena bon, ox eyes, valarian offic, majoram, bush salvias etc. I agree with the tenet of going with the conditions you have and making the best of them. There's little point in fighting your situation, unless you like that kind of thing.
I quite like the little yellow flowers in my brown lawn -whatever they are. I let them stay. No sign of them during mowing season. I was going to say that they keep their heads down, but actually they get them sliced off.😊
@Loxley I'm fairly sure it is Thomas Edison, that picture makes it look a lot less purple and more pink. I also don't take more than half the shoots off the tuber because I am not that interested in achieving fewer but massive blooms.
Posts
Eurybia and Actaea
Persicaria 'Orange Field' continuing to flower well
Sesleria and sedums
Some plants aren't bothered
Patio plants benefitting from watering
The shady side