Gardens with sandy soil can be difficult for some gardeners to deal with and trying to find plants that survive in poor, quick-draining soil isn't always easy. These perennials tolerate sandy soil and poor quality garden areas to provide a bounty of color and foliage textures.
Yarrow (Achillea spp)– Zones 3-8. Yarrow plants do well in poor, sandy soil and produce lovely clusters of flowers each summer in bright colors that typically last well into autumn. Flower clusters are usually long lasting, attract many butterflies and are brightly colored in reds, oranges and yellows. Yarrows prefer well-drained soil, which is why they do well in sandy garden spots and are drought tolerant once established.
Wormwood (Artemisia 'Silver King') or (Artemisia 'Silver Queen') – Zones 4-9. These wormwoods have aromatic, highly attractive foliage that is fine cut and combines well with other plants. As the common name implies, both of these artemisia plants have silver foliage and their drought tolerance make them excellent choices for sandy soil. If artemisia plants are kept in too moist conditions they are susceptible to root rot.
False Indigo (Baptisia australis) – Zones 3-9. False indigo plants tolerate poor soil that drains quickly making them an excellent choice for sandy garden areas that are difficult for many perennials. Late spring and early summer baptisia flowers are usually lovely shades of blue. The common name of “False Indigo” comes from their historic use as a less expensive die for weavers and cloth makers. Several new hybrids are available in different colors like rust, yellow, and white but the native species is blue and adds a nice color to sandy gardens.
Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa) – Zones 5-10. Adam's needle is a great choice for a sandy perennial bed and will provide gardeners with a strong, architectural accent. Spike leaves and tall, upright flower stalks add vertical interest to any sandy garden. Yucca tolerates part shade but does best in full sun and while the foliage clumps only grow about 3' tall the flower stalks can reach 7' or more. The foliage is evergreen and adds nice color to a low-water garden because of its drought tolerance.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia grandiflora) – Zones 3-10. Gaillardia is a brightly colored perennial that needs well-drained soil making it a decent selection for sandy gardens. The striped flowers begin in mid-summer and continue through the fall season. Individual plants can be short lived but the clumps naturalize gently and self-sow in favorable conditions. The only disease that blanket flowers are prone to is root rot if the soil does not drain freely enough.
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