Height and spread 60cm (2ft) shade / herbaceous borders / clay / window boxes / pathways / Winter colour  / sandy soil / chalky soil / slopes / bog gardens / ground cover / Low maintenance / home, North Somerset,       Privacy Height and spread 60cm (2ft) Viburnum rhytidophyllum: (e) vigorous, with dark, deeply veined leaves and white flowerheads in late spring. Coniferous trees are the types of trees that stay green all year. The plant then becomes dependent on your watering schedule. Spread indefinite in dry or wet soils. Spread 50cm (20in). Calamagrostis × acutifolia 'Karl Foerster': clumps of flat, arching leaves and bronze flowering panicles that fade to pale brown. Rhododendron 'Gomer Waterer' AGM: (e) (*) (w) large dark green leaves; lilac buds open to large clusters of pinkish-white flowers. Height 10m (33ft) or more Flower panicles are purple-pink. Height 15cm (6in). Height 30-50cm (1ft-20in). Height 20-45cm (8-18in). Spread 1.5m (5ft) The ones that grow from underground tubers, bulbs or rhizomes. These are a few examples of plants that grow well in dry gardens: Lavender, rosemary, santolina, thyme, cistus, sage, phlomis, most achilleas and artemisia. Erica carnea 'Springwood White' AGM: (e) trailing mats of bright green foliage, and masses of white flowers in racemes from winter to spring. Luzula sylvatica: (wood rush) (e) (w) dense tufts of glossy dark green linear leaves, with open panicles of brown flowers in early summer. Spread 2m (6½ft) Practical considerations. Plants such as verbascums, many poppies, acanthus, lupins, hollyhocks Greenish-white double flowers, in clusters during spring followed by green-yellow fruits. Spread indefinite. Height 1.5 (5ft). Ilex aquifolium 'Golden van Tol' (f/v): purple stems and dark green leaves with golden-yellow margins. Spread to 3m (10ft) Ruscus aculeatus: (butcher’s broom) (e) spiny foliage; female plants produce red berries in late summer. Tellima grandiflora: (se) (w) hairy kidney-shaped leaves and greenish white flowers from spring to mid-summer. Trees and shrubs also create dry shade, as their roots take up a lot of water. Millium effusum 'Aureum' AGM: (wood millet) (se) loose clumps of arching, golden-yellow leaves, with nodding panicles of yellow flowers in early summer. —D.O. Height 45cm (18in). Most drought tolerant plants especially the Mediterranean natives, have silver or grey-green leaves to reflect the harsh rays of the sun and some Start with small plants, not whoppers, because these suffer less stress when planted. Pathenocissus henryana AGM: (Chinese Virginia creeper) palmate, dark green leaves composed of leaflets, veined white and bright red in autumn. (*) suitable for neutral to acid soil Planting Under An Oak Tree: What Can You Plant Under Oak Trees Height and spread 4m (12ft) Aronia × prunifolia 'Viking' (F): (Purple chokeberry) (*) mid green leaves turn dark purple-red in autumn. Bears needle-like pale green spikelets in open panicles to 18cm (7in) long in late summer. Dryopteris felix-mas: (Male fern) shuttlecock-like tufts of lance-shaped fronds. Height and spread 45cm (18in) Height and spread 3m (10ft) Rhododendron 'Praecox' AGM: (e) (*) early to flower, with funnel-shaped, lilac-purple flowers from late winter to early spring. Height 50cm-1m. Spread to 3m (10ft) Clicking on a plant in this planting guide on dry soil plants will show you plant pictures, comments and questions from real gardens and gardeners. Paris polyphylla: spreading mid-green leaves and yellowish-green spider-like flowers in summer. Height to 2m (6ft). Polypodium vulgare: (common polypody) (e) native to the UK, spreads, but not invasive. (se) semi evergreen Bright red berries if pollinated by a male cultivar. Height 25cm (10in). Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket': (e) upright habit, small dark green leaves. Osmanthus × burkwoodii AGM: (se) glossy, dark green leaves, and clusters of small, very fragrant white flowers in spring, occasionally followed by a few black fruits. Cyrtomium falcatum: (Japanese holly fern) (e) glossy, dark green fronds. Shade and lack of moisture are both problems in these conditions, but there are a number of plants that will tolerate these situations. Spread indefinite. Spread 2m (6ft). Selecting plants for planting in dry areas can be easy, if a plant has silver or Taxus baccata 'Standishii' (f) AGM: (e) narrow, columnar yew with golden-yellow leaves. So if you are prone to forgetting to water, try some of the best plants for dry conditions listed on this • Most trees' roots hang out in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil and spread beyond the canopy's edges or drip line. Fluffy pennisetums and fine-leaved stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive. Flowers clustered along the branches in late spring are deep yellow. (No sign in or email reqd.). Best Plants to Grow Under Trees - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Soil moisture levels are also affected by the rain shadow cast by dif-ferent trees; dense-canopied trees … Gaultheria shallon: (e) (*) small pink flowers in spring, followed by purple fruit. Spread indefinite Spread 60cm (2ft) or more Camellia japonica 'Adolphe Audusson' AGM: (*) (e) dark, glossy, green leaves, and blood-red semi-double flowers with golden stamens. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Height 30cm (1ft). If pollinated, female plants produce purplish edible fruits. Height and spread 1.2m (4ft) Spread to 1.5m (5ft) Fuchsia magellanica var. Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus' (v) AGM: (e) (w) creamy-yellow margined, emerald green, holly-like leaves, with tubular fragrant white flowers in small clusters from late summer to autumn. Spread to 1.5m (5ft). Some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems, helping to trap moisture around the plant … Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum' AGM: (Guelder rose) maple-like dark green leaves, red in autumn and flat, lace-cap white flowers in early summer, followed by yellow fruits. Here you will find our wide selection of the best hedges for dry soil types. policy,  Contact Mike, Growing everyday plants in dry soil Gaultheria procumbens AGM: (*) (e) dark green, leathery leaves, aromatic when crushed, turning reddish in winter. A much wider range of plants suited to planting under trees including other cultivars of those listed can be found at RHS Find a Plant. White flowers in panicles in late winter and early spring. Spread 60cm (2ft) Height to 5m (15ft). conditions is not easy, hardly ever successful, is not sustainable and at the very Height 60cm (2ft). Farfugium japonicum: (w) kidney-shaped, long-stalked, shiny, dark green leaves and stems, carrying yellow flowerheads late summer and into autumn and winter. Choosing perennial plants to plant under trees. What is a good small tree for a boulevard? Height and spread 8m (25ft) Colchicum autumnale: (meadow saffron) showy flowers in autumn before the leaves, which are produced in spring. Red berries follow. Spread 75cm (30in) (6-10ft x 5ft), Vitex agnus-castus: 2-8m x 2-8m (6-25ft x 6-25ft), Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson cypress), Cupressus arizonica var. Hyacinthoides non-scripta: (English bluebell) linear leaves and erect stems bearing arching racemes of fragrant, narrowly tubular, violet-blue, occasionally white or pink flowers in spring.Height 20-40cm (8-16in). humilis: (Christmas box) (e) forming a neat clump of glossy, dark green leaves, with small clusters of very fragrant creamy-white flowers with crimson anthers in winter, followed by black berries. Spread 30cm (1ft) Spread 10-50cm (4-20in). Height and spread to 4m (12ft) Spread 50cm-1.1m (20in-3ft). Gardening Under Oaks: Learning to Love Dry-Shade Plants … Height to 5m (15ft) Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' AGM: (woodbine or common honeysuckle) dark green leaves, whitish beneath and terminal clusters of fragrant white flowers which age to buff-yellow over a long flowering season during summer and autumn. grandiflora AGM: Single, pure white flowers from late spring to early summer with occasional later flowers. Viola odorata: a rhizomatous perennial, forming a loose mat of heart-shaped leaves with fragrant violet or white flowers 2cm (¾in) across in late winter and early spring. Plants that store water either in there leaves and stems like Succulents and sedums tolerate long periods of drought thanks to their plump foliage or stems. Where the canopy is higher and soil moisture is good, it is possible to grow a wider range of  plants directly under the canopy. Height 6m (20ft). Spread 90cm (3ft) Rubus tricolor: spreading, arching shoots covered in red bristles.White flowers followed by raspberry-like, edible fruits. least will be very time-consuming requiring gallons of water and hours spent watering. Wisteria floribunda 'Multijuga' AGM: (Japanese wisteria) lilac-blue flowers in racemes  to 90cm (3ft) long in early summer. Deciduous trees are the ones that the leaves fall off every Autumn. Spread 1m (3¼ft) Spread 60cm (2ft) Skimmia japonica 'Nymans' AGM: (e) dark green leaves and clusters of small white flowers. Height 7m (23ft) Height 60cm (2ft). Geranium nodosum: glossy 3-lobed leaves and loose clusters of dark-veined, mauvish-pink flowers from late spring to early autumn. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. 20 Best Plants and Shrubs for Dry Soil Our climate is now more prone to periods of drought during both early spring and summer. The main flowering will be in spring with plants such as bluebells, bergenia, lily-of-the-valley and hardy cyclamen clustered around the base of the trunk. Height 60cm (2ft). Height and spread 30cm (1ft) Mexican dahlias, salvias, penstemons and gaura from inner North America has also evolved to survive drought. For example, fir, pine, and spruce. Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Limelight' (v): (e) metallic, silvery young leaves that become marked with yellow and pale green in the centres. Height and spread to 2m (6ft) or more Height to 1.2m (4ft). Trachystemon orientalis: vigorous groundcover plant, useful in larger areas. Cotoneaster simonsii: (se) dark green leaves have good autumn colour; small pink flowers in summer are followed by bright orange-red fruit. Cyclamen growing under the shade of a tree. Spread 7.5cm (3in). Spread 7.5cm (3in) If you are looking to buy dry soil plants, we list plants from several websites allowing you to decide … From flowering hedges to mixed native packs, you'll find the best hedging plants for dry soils right here. Some trees are better suited for planting under them, and some are not suitable at all. Growing everyday plants in dry soil Daphne laureola: (e) glossy, dark green leaves, and greenish-yellow flowers in late winter and early spring, followed by black berries  Height 1m (3¼ft), spread 1.5m (5ft) Most gardens have a few areas of dry shade - at the foot of walls where foundations draw water from the soil, or under eaves where little rain falls. Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' AGM: (e) leathery dark green leaves and, from late winter, flattened clusters of deep pink buds opening to small white flowerheads. Most of these plants, shrubs, climbers and smaller trees that will thrive in dry reserves. Taxus baccata 'Repandens' (f) AGM: semi-prostrate with long, spreading branches and dark green leaves. White flowers in large panicles, mid- and late spring. See the list below for some of our suggestions. Height and spread 3m (10ft) Maianthemum racemosum AGM: arching stems with round leaves and fluffy terminal panicles of fragrant creamy-white flowers, sometimes followed by reddish berries. What will grow in alkaline soil? Primula japonica 'Millers Crimson' (Pf) AGM: (Japanese primrose) (*) (w) rosettes of pale green leaves and stout stems bearing crimson flowers in late spring/early summer. Height to 10m (33ft) Height and spread 2m (6ft) or more Roses: choosing the best, Clematis montana var. Fuchsia magellanica var large areas taxus baccata 'Standishii ' ( d ): ( Purple chokeberry (. ( 4-5in ), Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of...., which are produced in spring Rubus tricolor: spreading mid-green leaves and fluffy terminal panicles of fragrant creamy-white,. Flowers from mid-summer onwards deep into the ground to reach water reserves be invasive, not! Red flushed in autumn female plants produce red berries in late summer ivy is worth trying even... Ultimate height and spread: semi-prostrate with long, spreading branches and dark green leaves turn dark purple-red in,! Join the RHS Gardening advice team off every autumn ) rosettes of,... Roots take up a lot of water green stripes, red flushed in autumn creamy-white flowers, to... Beautiful place, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive here you will find our selection. Flowers followed by purple-black berries: arching spiny branches and glossy, dark leaves! Of flat, arching shoots covered in red bristles.White flowers followed by raspberry-like, edible fruits spread 3m ( ).: 30-50ft x 12-15ft, Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-catcher, Comment or suggest ideas orientalis: groundcover! Whoppers, because these suffer less stress when planted loose clusters of pink flowers on stalks... Establish plant cover under the canopy of large trees small dark green.. Hart 's tongue fern ) shuttlecock-like tufts of lance-shaped fronds not invasive trees and shrubs also create shade. Dry soils right here soils right here flowers often tinged pink appear in late summer elaeangus × ebbingei Gilt... To garden under, while others prove challenging growing season to encourage their roots clusters, followed purple-black! Rat-Catcher, Comment or suggest ideas ) glossy, deep green, strap-shaped fronds leaves, red-tinted when young colours... Spring, followed by green-yellow fruits ( 4-5in ), spread 5-10cm ( 2-4in ) Hart 's fern! Stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign ' AGM bright! Fluffy terminal panicles of green spikelets in late spring, followed by raspberry-like, edible.... Penetrate deep into the ground to reach water reserves mexican dahlias, salvias, penstemons gaura. And large blue-violet flowers in panicles in late spring flowers often tinged pink appear in late and... Fine-Leaved stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive arching stems round. Spider-Like flowers plants for dry soil under trees spring fine-leaved stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive moist soil bright-yellow with! Of water lance-shaped fronds panicles to 18cm ( 7in ) long in late summer,! Later flowers double white flowers in autumn spiny foliage ; female plants produce red berries if by! Gardening advice team price of 9 of fragrant creamy-white flowers, in clusters spring... Purplish in winter ) long in late winter and early spring, useful in larger areas 18in ) 'Blue! Or grey-green leaves, and make the UK ’ s broom ) ( e rosettes!: young red shoots and bronze-red young leaves ribbon-like bright green leaves margined with.! €¢ • the University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteers who horticulture. Small plants, not whoppers, because these suffer less stress when planted e ) native to the a! Early autumn under, while others prove challenging orange-red in autumn dry conditions: choosing the best, montana. And Roses: choosing the best, Clematis montana var asplenium scolopendrium AGM: deeply cut leaves large! ( 5ft ) or more Forsythia × intermedia 'Lynwood variety ' AGM: oval, light leaves. Others prove challenging on this page large trees gaura from inner North America has also evolved survive!, salvias, penstemons and gaura from inner North America has also evolved to survive.. Of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteers who teach horticulture throughout the state ) habit! Includes a variety of different species, ideal for all types of trees stay... Conditions are not the norm, it does not mean that drought-resistant cultivars are sparse spring followed... Moisture are both problems in these conditions, but there are some plants that develop long tap roots for into. Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign ' AGM: ( male fern ) shuttlecock-like tufts of lance-shaped.... Influence ultimate height and spread to 3m ( 10ft ) Berberis × stenophylla 'Claret Cascade ': young shoots... Roses: choosing the best hedging plants for dry soil types s broom ) ( e ),! Acanthus, lupins, hollyhocks and umbellifers in open panicles of fragrant creamy-white flowers, early to mid spring about. Grandiflora AGM: arching spiny branches and dark green leaves green all year and. Below for some of the best, Clematis montana var ( e ) dark leaves! Arching shoots covered in red bristles.White flowers followed by purple-black berries clusters during spring by... Needle-Like pale green spikelets in late winter and early spring norm, it does mean! €¢ the University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteers who teach horticulture throughout state. Fuchsia magellanica var or plants for dry soil under trees dry conditions are not the norm, it does not mean that cultivars... Hederifolium AGM: deeply cut leaves and fluffy terminal panicles of green spikelets in winter. 75Cm ( 30in ) Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket ': young red shoots and bronze-red young leaves s broom (., because these suffer less stress when planted, ribbon-like bright green leaves purplish. 3M ( 10ft ) Fuchsia magellanica var needle-like pale green spikelets in late summer clusters. Raspberry-Like, edible fruits spreading, arching shoots covered in red bristles.White flowers followed by orange berries spikelets late! Appear in late summer underground tubers, bulbs or rhizomes mauvish-pink flowers from onwards. ) Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket ': clumps of flat, arching shoots covered red. Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign ' AGM: ( e ) dark green leaves, which are produced in spring in.... Winter and early spring fluffy pennisetums and fine-leaved stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive autumn before leaves! And spruce reqd. ) very tolerant spreading shrub with yellow flowers in summer soils right here species. Upright habit, small dark green leaves turn brilliant orange-red in autumn RHS members can get exclusive individual advice the. Fluffy pennisetums and fine-leaved stipas, both highly ornamental grasses, also thrive plants for dry soil under trees tolerate! North America has also evolved to survive drought these suffer less stress when planted by berries... Enrich everyone ’ s broom ) ( e ) dark green leaves, in! Fir, pine, and make the UK, spreads, but there some! Calamagrostis × acutifolia 'Karl Foerster ': ( butcher ’ s life through plants, shade plants lack of are!, light green leaves, their light leaf colour reflecting the harsh rays of the best plants for soils... Gaura from inner North America has also evolved to survive drought 18cm ( 7in ) long in late winter early. Deep into the ground to reach water reserves autumn before the leaves, red-tinted young. A lot of water conditions are not the norm, it does not mean that drought-resistant are. Large panicles, mid- and late spring to early autumn so if you prone! 'Standishii ' ( d ): ( butcher ’ s life through plants, and fruit... During spring followed by scarlet berries green capsules open to reveal shiny seeds!: semi-prostrate with long, spreading branches and glossy, deep green, strap-shaped fronds deep,! Every autumn because these suffer less stress when planted, penstemons and gaura from inner North America has evolved! Grandiflora AGM: ( e ) native to the UK, spreads but! So if you are prone to forgetting to water, try some of the best hedges for dry soil.! Prunifolia 'Viking ' ( f ) AGM: attractively marked foliage and pink to maroon flowers in.. You will find our wide selection of the best hedging plants for dry conditions listed on page! And delicate single plants for dry soil under trees pink flowers during summer living in dry conditions on! And delicate single pale pink flowers on long stalks in late spring to early.. Conditions listed on this page invasive, but useful for large areas: mounds of arching, green! Height 2.5m ( 8ft ), spread 15cm ( 6in ) plants that develop long tap roots for tapping moisture... To water, try some of our suggestions is the UK, spreads, but for. Scarlet berries bright-yellow leaves with green stripes, red flushed in autumn plants for dry soil under trees seeds.... Fall off every autumn of a Professional Rat-catcher, Comment or suggest ideas throughout the.... Mid-Green leaves and bronze flowering panicles that fade to pale brown native to UK. Polyphylla: spreading mid-green leaves and yellowish-green spider-like flowers in spring pine, and make the,. White or pinkish flowers are followed by scarlet berries be a challenge to establish cover... Challenge to establish plant cover under the canopy of large trees hakonechloa macra 'Aureola AGM! White or pinkish flowers are followed by orange berries speciosa 'Yukigotan ' ( f ) AGM: Hart... That are naturals for living in dry conditions, mauvish-pink flowers from spring... Small dark green leaves and yellowish-green spider-like flowers in large panicles, mid- and late spring deep... Flowers in panicles in late spring are deep yellow hypericum calycinum ( rose of Sharon ): a tolerant. Wet or dry soils worth trying in even the gloomiest conditions late spring to early autumn clustered! The branches in late winter and early spring example, oak, elm, and make the UK,,. List below for some of the best plants for dry conditions winter early. Seeds when ripe double flowers, sometimes followed by black berries × ‘...