Best plants for chalky soil – 10 flowers, shrubs and trees that will thrive in dry and alkaline conditions

Chalky soil suits plants that like alkaline and free-draining conditions, and aren't bothered by drought or growing in nutrient-poor soils. Think of plants that thrive in dry summers as this is a good starting point for choosing the best plants for chalky soil.

When planting in chalky soils first establish how deep the topsoil is. A lot depends on whether or not there is some clay present in chalky soil, as this generally means there will be more nutrients and greater moisture content available so more plants will thrive. Alternatively if your soil is very chalky it's better to choose from a more limited selection of plants that thrive in alkaline conditions.

Ahead of choosing any plants for the garden it's always a good idea to check out soil types to establish what conditions you're working with. If in doubt it's worth doing a soil test to get the complete picture. Chalky soil is less common than clay and sandy soils but the good news is there are still plenty of plants that will thrive in these conditions.

10 of the best plants for chalky soil

Chalky soil will happily accommodate a range of flowers, shrubs and trees as long as you improve the soil health by digging in plenty of organic matter to boost the moisture-retaining ability. If you want to play safe choose plants that thrive in alkaline conditions, such as lavender, lilac and honeysuckle.

'Chalk and limestone derive from the shells and bones of ancient creatures that fell to the bottom of seas aeons ago, and under the weight of time and geological processes have become deposits of calcium carbonate in the soil,' explains UK-based soil expert Juliet Sargeant, whose new book Start with Soil is available at Amazon.

'The calcium carbonate makes the soil alkaline and if it's present in chunks, you will see bits of white chalk in the soil. The structure and texture of chalky soils is very variable, depending on the form that the chalk takes and whether there is also clay present.'

'Chalky soil is relatively uncommon in the United States (at least compared to our friends in the UK), but you may be familiar with this challenging soil type if you’re gardening in parts of Texas or on the Great Plains,' says Florida-based master gardener Jon VanZile, author of The Flower Garden Deck, available at Amazon.

'In general, chalky soil is alkaline (high pH) and contains high levels of calcium carbonate or lime. It tends to dry quickly in the sun and doesn’t retain nutrients very well. Because it's so alkaline, it’s not suitable for acid-loving plants, so you’ll want to avoid azaleas, rhododendron, and blue-tinged hydrangeas.'

Juliet Sargeant

Juliet Sargeant has a BA (Hons) in Garden Design and is a Registered Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers. She is director of The Sussex Garden School, acts as an RHS show garden judge, and is a familiar face on television gardening programmes in the UK.

Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile is a master gardener who lives in South Florida, where he enjoys collecting orchids and aroids, and experimenting with ways to grow the perfect heirloom tomato. He is the author of several gardening books, including Houseplants for a Healthy Home and Gardening Hacks.

1. Lavender

'Even though chalky soil is not as common as clay soil or sandy soil, for example, the good news is there are still plenty of beautiful plants to choose from,' says Jon VanZile. 'One of my favorites for this situation is lavender.'

The slender stems of lavender topped with clusters of tiny purple flowers add a touch of beauty to any garden. They will love the free-draining conditions provided by chalky soils. This hardy plant likes growing in warm, sunny climates and is the star of Mediterranean garden ideas, especially as it's drought-tolerant once established.

It's an easy-care choice that will adapt and thrive with whatever chalky soil throws at it. Most lavender varieties flourish in USDA zones 5-9. Jon advises pruning annually to maintain the shape and vigor of your plants.

Try growing lavender for flower bed ideas or as a low hedge to create different planting zones. Make sure you are familiar with the basics of how to grow lavender as well as the best lavender varieties, and you'll soon be wondering why you haven't filled your garden with it before now.

2. Achillea

'Species achilleas (or yarrows) are native to chalk grasslands, so cultivars do well on chalk or any well-drained soil,' says Juliet Sargeant. 'They are ideal for cottage gardens and also prairie-style plantings with ornamental grasses.'

Judith suggests trying the cultivar Achillea ‘Desert Eve Terracotta’, a long-flowering perennial blooming from May–July, with flat-topped clusters of rich terracotta flowers, fading to creamy yellow. This variety is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

We also love the butterfly magnet Achillea 'Sunny Seduction', available from Nature Hills. Find out how to grow common yarrow so you can add this beauty to your chalky soil planting ideas too.

3. Rosemary

This aromatic, sun-loving Mediterranean herb has a lovely woody fragrance that is a fantastic addition to any garden planting scheme, and is one of the best plants for chalky soil as it loves a gritty, free-draining growing medium and can thrive without water.

Find out how to grow rosemary, such as the importance of choosing a sunny, sheltered spot to get the best results, to add this evergreen staple to your herb garden.

It's also worth knowing that this was recently reclassified as Salvia rosmarinus in case of any confusion at the garden center.

4. Globe thistle

'Another one of the best plants for chalky soil is Echinops ritro (also known as globe thistle),' says Jon. 'Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, it likes full sun and tolerates dry soil well, making it an excellent choice for drought-tolerant planting too.'

Jon recommends deadheading to encourage prolonged blooming, as well as cutting back stems in late fall or early spring. Echinops is also a good choice for wildlife gardens as it's an important source of nectar for pollinators like butterflies. Find Echinops ritro here at Nature Hills.

Choose this plant if your soil is dry and nutrient-poor, especially if you live in a hot and dry climate. You will be rewarded from June to September with plenty of gorgeous spiky blue balls that can grow up to 5 feet tall.

5. Chocolate vine

Also known as Akebia quinata, this vigorous and very pretty twining vine is covered with clusters of deep burgundy, scented flowers that have a spicy fragrance with just a hint of vanilla. This is a great choice if you have chalky soil and you're looking for the best fast-growing climbing plants.

These easy vines can grow up to 20 feet tall, which makes them a good choice for projects such as a tall wall or the side of a house where you're looking for height. Grow them in zones 5-9 for quick cover, especially if you live in a warmer region. Find chocolate vine here at Amazon.

Other climbers that work well for chalky soils include Virginia creeper, clematis, star jasmine, and honeysuckle.

6. California lilac

This fast-growing evergreen has bright green glossy foliage and panicles of rich lilac-blue flowers from late spring throughout summer. A hardy and ornamental West Coast native, this is a great choice to add to your garden landscaping ideas if you have chalky soil as they can be grown as either a shrub or a multi-stemmed tree.

Chalky soil isn't a problem as California lilac grows in some of the harshest locations, and thrives in zones 7-10. They tolerate poor soil, coastal conditions, and full baking sun all day.

They will also attract birds, butterflies and bees in spring and summer, making them a great choice for wildlife garden ideas.

Also known as Ceanothus, once established this variety needs very little care other than light pruning once a year.

7. Weigela

If you're looking for the best flowering shrubs for chalky soil, one of Juliet Sargeant's favorite varieties is Weigela ‘Florida variegata’ (pictured above). 'A deciduous arching shrub with variegated leaves, this has pink trumpet flowers in May/June,' says Juliet.

'It's a classic ‘English cottage garden’ shrub, which is invaluable for plugging the early spring gap in flower color.'

Growing to a height of around 8 feet, this easy to grow shrub likes moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, and tolerates chalky conditions well.

Growing in zones 4-8, this variety will add height and spread at a decent pace, up to 24 inches a year, to fill out your landscaping design beautifully.

8. Crab apple tree

Find out how to plant crab apple trees in your yard and it's one decision you won't regret. These beautiful ornamental trees offer four seasons of interest and the good news is they won't be phased by chalky soil conditions either. Thriving in zones 4-8, once established they show a good level of drought resistance too.

Offering clouds of fragrant spring blossom, a cooling summer leaf canopy, fruit and colorful foliage in fall, and shapely structure in winter, crab apple trees really are a year-round asset in the garden.

Crab apple trees make it on to our list of the best trees for small gardens too, as they're a go-to if you're looking for an easy medium-sized tree to add to your landscape. Take a look at our guide to the best trees for sandy soil too.

9. Japanese maple

Many varieties of Japanese maple trees thrive in chalky soil conditions, particularly Acer campestre (field maple). When you're at the garden center look for labels marked Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer platanoides if you're looking for a variety that will do well in chalky soil.

One of the best varieties of maple for chalky soil is Acer platanoides 'Princeton Gold' (pictured above) with its striking golden spring and summer foliage making it an excellent ornamental tree. Japanese maples are one of the best trees for fall color too.

Most Japanese maples do well in zones 5-8. They can be grown in warmer zones, but may suffer from leaf scorch in hot weather.

10. Agapanthus

If you love big, bold plants that offer showy good looks and color then try agapanthus, which is one of the best plants for chalky soil. This stunning tall-stemmed perennial features multiple spikes with large globes of blue flowers (you can also get white and pink varieties) from July through to September above clumps of shapely mid-green leaves.

Choose the sunniest spot possible for these tropical beauties, which love warmth and being bathed in sunshine.

Agapanthus is one of the best summer-flowering bulbs for Southern gardens, and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. They thrive in well-drained soil, so chalky conditions are ideal.

Interestingly they are also one of the best fire-resistant plants. This is because their leaves are filled with a water-based gel, so they can catch wind-blown embers and help slow or even stop the spread of low-burning fires.

So that's our expert selection of the best plants for chalky soil. If you want to find out more about plants for specific soil conditions, we have expert guides to the best plants for sandy soil, the best plants for clay soil, and the best plants for loamy soil.