Sadly astilbe likes a lot of moisture and chalk soils tend to be dry, so it might not be the best choice.
All types of dianthus (pinks) like chalky soil, and I agree about shrubby salvias. For some taller shapes, verbascums do well on my dry sandy soil, and so does verbena bonariensis, Veronica's and scabious. Some silver foliage might make a nice contrast - all of the artemisia like dry conditions but some of them get a bit big so check before buying. What doesn't do so well for me on my dry soil are most of the classic herbaceous perennials - delphiniums, phlox and suchlike. There just isn't enough moisture for them.
Wow thanks for the info there Jenny i am always fighting with the astilbes but I’ve only really started learning about plant requirements recently, only been gardening for 4 years. Are astilbes easy to move? Also, do the plants you’ve mentioned cope well with winds? We don’t live right on the coast as such but the border is quite exposed.
That's right about astilbes - they need moisture so you'd have to plant them in a shady patch and do lots of soil improvement with manure and compost to get them to succeed or else make a deliberate bog garden and grow a few other moisture lovers too - bit of a faff tho.
Delphiniums would also need plenty of organic matter worked in but can cope with dry if they've got their roots well fed. In damper situations they'd be devoured by slugs and snails so you may have an advantage there.
Before buying any new plants on impulse I would take the time to jot down the names and then look them up on the RHS website of this one which also has a plant database, tho less extensive. Then you can see whether or not it's likely to do well in your conditions. 'Course, if you have a smart phone you can look it up while standing admiring it, but I don't.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks for the information Obelixx, luckily I’ve got a better patch for the astilbes, should I move them in spring or autumn? Also, I’m happy to get straight tolerate plants (can I still mulch annually with rotted manure? Also the area is exposed when windy so not sure about the plants, I can’t make a windbreak either
You can mulch every autumn once the plants go dormant. I would move them in autun so they can get their roots down while the soil is still relatively warm.
By the way guys can someone help me understand soil a bit? So even though we are predominantly on chalky soil, when wet it can get a little sloppy, and when dry it can sometimes crack, this sounds more like clay?
I’m aware that chalky soil can have clay elements in it so I’m wondering do I go for really drought resistant plants (oil soil holds quite a bit of moisture in winter, will this kill drought tolerant plants?) or more plants that can tolerate more wet?
Clay can be alkaline and do the whole clogging and cracking thing. Chalky is usually a bit stony and very well drained. I suggest you go thru the soil improving exercise first - masses of compost and well-rotted manure as a mulch - and then go for plants that like moist but well-drained soil.
If you stick with annuals for a while and sow seeds rather than buying plants in you can take the time to beef up your soil so that when you do invest in perennials and shrubs you won't be taking such a gamble.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi Obelixx, well I’m going to assume it’s more chalky as we are on the South Downs, but some of the astilbes are alive yet so is the sedum and osteospermum so it’s kinda weird! I’m actually moving out soon as I live with family so I wanted to try and get the border sorted before I go
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Delphiniums would also need plenty of organic matter worked in but can cope with dry if they've got their roots well fed. In damper situations they'd be devoured by slugs and snails so you may have an advantage there.
Before buying any new plants on impulse I would take the time to jot down the names and then look them up on the RHS website of this one which also has a plant database, tho less extensive. Then you can see whether or not it's likely to do well in your conditions. 'Course, if you have a smart phone you can look it up while standing admiring it, but I don't.
The RHS plant cultivation info usually says if a plant needs to be sheltered, eg
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/89593/Astilbe-chinensis-var-taquetii-Superba/Details so your astilbe would need protection from strong winds but that can be in the form of another plant such as a shrub or a perennial grass that won't mind wind.
I’m aware that chalky soil can have clay elements in it so I’m wondering do I go for really drought resistant plants (oil soil holds quite a bit of moisture in winter, will this kill drought tolerant plants?) or more plants that can tolerate more wet?
Many thanks!
If you stick with annuals for a while and sow seeds rather than buying plants in you can take the time to beef up your soil so that when you do invest in perennials and shrubs you won't be taking such a gamble.