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Slug resistant flowers, drought tolerant

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Plants
Hello, I have a patch of ground which is a bit dry, a few years ago it was where huge fir trees sucked out all the moisture and it must still have tree roots galore there. It’s heavy clay about a finger deep down and also very stony. Last year I made it into a pumpkin patch which the slugs stopped munching on only when the plants got bigger. 
 
What should I plant there now sunflower seedlings got eaten? Will gaura be ok there? Or geums?  I though about putting potatoes in there to work the ground but could be a hard job digging up. Small wild strawberries have taken over parts of it.
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  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I can't see gaura or geums living long in that. It would be better to dig over the area, removing roots and stones and digging in loads of organic material, especially well rotted manure.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I agree, the ground will have to be improved before you plant anything. Is it in sun? My hardy geraniums are never eaten by slugs.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/20-slug-proof-plants/
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I'm sorry, but the slug-proof plants list is just a joke. Don't even waste the time doing the link.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I found slug city under my sedums so I’ve found just by getting rid of those especially near the good plants it’s helped. I am moving any debris away as I go but no time to dig it over properly so this is a quick fix. Thinking I might just work with it for now and pop some lavenders in there. I have some penstemon too. I’m practicing no dug because I just don’t have the strength. I’ve got a hardy geranium there that I hate. The flowers are meh and the worse think is that it spreads and is so hard to remove. The tubers snap off and the roots hang on in there. The wild strawberries are easier to remove as ground cover.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'll have to improve the soil. There's no short cut.
    Then look at plants which can withstand dry shade. Hardy geraniums as @Busy-Lizzie says, will thrive once established, and there are plenty which are attractive - hundred of varieties of them. So will Vinca - several types. Both are pretty slug proof. Many ferns will also cope, as will Saxifraga urbium - London Pride.
    Another alternative is to put in a raised bed, assuming the trees are no longer there. You can then fill it appropriately to give a better medium for plants.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    @Posy you must have very persistent slugs. All the plants that I have that are on that list have never been eaten by slugs.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Yes trees have been gone for a good 3 years now. It’s a sun spot and quite far from a water source. I will top up with home made compost as that’s all I have to hand. I think it’s just going to be a medium to long term project because it’s no dig. I just want to use the space without creating more problems like removing difficult hardy geraniums. I have two other types of hardy geraniums that are easy to move but already have too much of that around. Penstemon sounds good. And it mentions that geums are slug resistant so that’s worth a try. My achillea had to be moved because it started to get attacked there.
  • _Nicolas__Nicolas_ Posts: 48
    edited May 2022
    Well, I haven't grown everything on that list, but I've never had issues with slugs/snails and aquilegia, astrantia, hardy geraniums (I grew 11 different types at one point), ajuga, Japanese anemone, lavender, hellebores, campanula, heuchera, cyclamen, fuchsia, hydrangeas or nasturtiums! 
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Thanks, I’ll add ajuga and fuchsia as I have those to hand too. I did think about rudibeckia but I think slugs might get them too. There’s also calendula and the odd foxgloves there. I might still grow a few squashes there if I can introduce a bit more moisture as I go because it can climb around there.
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