Plants For Poor Soil

[cecil39]

I have a large hedge that faces south and I would like to plant something colourful along the bottom of it, any ideas please for something short, spreading and permanent, that does well in poor dry soil, am I asking too much?

[gness]

Cecil....For something in an awkward spot in the garden I always chose Vinca Minor....doesn't seem to mind where I put it and how bad the soil is. x

[cecil39]

thanks gness, I shall google it now.

[gness]

Welcome Cecil...I had a raised dry area under some conifers and they were brilliant so I planted lots where I wanted ground cover that just got on with it on its own and looked nice..x

[Buenchico]

Try playing with this:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector

[hammerman]

Have you thought about sowing some wildflower seeds along there ? They don't mind poor soil and look amaizing as well as attracting lots of butterflies and bees.

[cecil39]

thanks for ideas, I have decided on vica minor for the bit that is in a corner and hard to get at, and for now aubretia along the narrow bit beside the path, should look good by next spring, cheers.

[boxtops]

Plant some nasturtium seeds - they'll grow anywhere, and although they're annual, they'll self seed again and again for following years. They'll clamber up through the hedge, too.

[cecil39]

many thanks boxtops, maybe I will throw some of them in as well.

[DaisyNonna]

Tried nasturtiums, they were covered in awful tiny black things. Even after having added bags and bags of soil enhancer would call my garden dirt rather than soil. Clay based and like rock at he moment, even though it rained yesterday.

[jakep]

Same here Daisy. Keeps the bingo wings at bay regularly digging in compost and banging out the hard bits! Have success with Heuchera though.

[DaisyNonna]

Carex pendula keeps recurring. Spend all my time time trying to get rid of it.