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Plants for Poor thin soil on builders rubble

LearnincurveLearnincurve Posts: 290
in Problem solving

exactly what it says on the tin. I can't improve it, it's simply what I have to work with and It's the worst possible scenario. I need help making a list of stuff to throw at it so any suggestions welcome.   

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Nasturtiums grow on the poorest ever soil, as do buddlia , they will grow in any crack of the pavement. 

    Theres lots more, can't think off hand but others will.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LearnincurveLearnincurve Posts: 290

    going through the rhs encyclopaedia: tropaeolum polyphyllum looks like a good one, and Buddlia will be a good option if I can work out where a large plant could fit, possibly at the bottom to screen off the shed. 

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    Lavender will relish poor soil with good drainage.

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093

    most sedums, lots of alpines - is it a sunny slope or a shady one?

    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995

    Violas are pretty tough little things, especially those that have self seeded in the most inhospitable places.  Russian sage is amazing stuff too.. and self seeds and spreads through runners.  Yarrow would do fine.  

    I'd suggest getting some seeds of whatever catches your fancy, mix them all in a barrow with a bag of compost, and spreading it thin over the entire area.  Water regularly for a few months, and then intermittently the rest of the year if it gets really dry.  By then, things that want to grow should be pretty well established, and things will begin to grow and self seed where they are happy.  

    For instant effect, buy and plant a few pots of yarrow and russian sage to enjoy the flowers this year.   

    Utah, USA.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    Purple toadflax will grow anywhere except deep shade

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • iceice Posts: 332

    Red valerian? Grows on shingle beach at home and thick rubble shingle at last house. What about wallflower, grows on craggy cliffs in Brighton...

  • LearnincurveLearnincurve Posts: 290

    Thank you for the suggestions everyone image The bank is full sun. Livingston daisy yay or nay? 

    that barrow idea is fantastic, it's going to be relatively easy to prepare it, scrape off the patchy grass and then cover in the mix. 

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