Choosing Plants for Chalk Soil
Perennials and Climbers

Bergenia 'Ballawley' (Elephant Ears)

Form:

perennial

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 3 to 8

Soil:

any well drained soil; tolerates chalk

Situation:

sun or partial shade

Height:

60cm (24in)

Spread:

60cm (24in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Splendid large leathery leaves turning bronze red in winter. Spikes bearing clusters of crimson flowers in early spring. Excellent evergreen ground cover also useful for softening the edges of paths and borders.

Also consider: Bergenia cordifolia for pink flowers; B. cordifolia 'Purpurea' for bronze winter foliage and magenta flowers; the smaller Bergenia 'Silberlicht' (30x50cm, 12x20in) has white flowers flushed pink.

Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)

Form:

perennial

Foliage:

deciduous

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 5 to 8

Soil:

thrives on chalk but will grow in any poor well-drained soil

Situation:

sun

Height:

90cm (3ft)

Spread:

60cm (2ft)

Reasons to grow: This cheery cottage garden plant is easy to grow and has a charmingly informal air. It is also highly attractive to beneficial insects.

The upright stems carry lance shaped, fleshy, glaucous leaves and it is smothered in frothy heads of reddish pink flowers from late spring through to autumn.

It positively thrives in poor conditions and will pop up in the most unexpected places such as in the cracks and crevices in walls and paving.

As you may have gathered by now, it is an enthusiastic self-seeder. To prevent this, and prolong the flowering season, deadhead regularly.

If different coloured variants are growing nearby it will not breed true but you may be pleasantly surprised by the results which can vary from white through soft pink to red.

Also consider: 'Albus', the pure white form, and 'Atrococcineus' which is a deeper red.

Important note: Red Valerian is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor where it grows both in the wild and as an ornamental. In parts of North America it has escaped from cultivation and poses a threat to native eco-systems. In some of these regions it is classed as an invasive plant and should not be cultivated.

Dianthus 'Doris' (Pink)

Form:

perennial

Foliage:

evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 5 to 9

Soil:

thrives on chalk but will grow in any well drained soil

Situation:

sun

Height:

45cm (18in)

Spread:

30cm (12in)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Deliciously scented pink blooms over a long period from early summer to early autumn and an excellent and long lasting cut flower. One of the best flowering plants for chalk soil.

Also consider: 'Mrs Sinkins' for white flowers; 'Bovey Belle' for clove scented fuschia pink flowers.

Verbascum chaixii 'Sixteen Candles' (Mullein)

Form:

perennial

Foliage:

semi-evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 4 to 8

Soil:

prefers chalk or alkaline soil but will grow in any well drained soil

Situation:

full sun

Height:

1m (40in)

Spread:

50cm (20in)

Reasons to grow: The attractive basal rosettes of felted grey-green leaves produce tall spikes, often multi-branched, of golden yellow flowers from June to August. Each flower has eyecatching violet stamens.

This is a excellent form and longer lived than many other types. if you deadhead after the first flowering, you will get a second flush of flowers later in the year.

Also consider: Verbascum bombyciferum for a taller plant (1.8x1m, 6x3ft) with exceptional woolly grey green foliage and pale yellow flowers; Verbascum 'Cotswold Beauty' for bold spikes of peachy pink saucer shaped flowers; Verbascum 'Helen Johnson' is a smaller plant (90x30cm, 3x1ft) with unusual pinkish brown flowers.

Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)

Form:

climber

Foliage:

semi-evergreen

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 5 to 9

Soil:

any moderately fertile soil; tolerates chalk

Situation:

full sun or partial shade

Height:

10m (33ft)

Spread:

9m (30ft)

Reasons to grow: This is another of my favourite plants for chalk soil - a fast growing yet graceful climber with semi-evergreen leaves and clusters of scented purplish red flowers in late spring and early summer.

In hot summers it may produce unusual sausage shaped purple fruits.

Clematis 'Warszawska Nike'

Form:

climber

Foliage:

deciduous

Hardiness:

UK - hardy; USDA zones 4 to 9

Soil:

thrives on chalky, alkaline soils but will grow in any well drained soil

Situation:

sunny position but with a cool shady root run

Height:

2-3m (6.5-10ft)

Spread:

1m (3ft)

Awards:

RHS AGM

Reasons to grow: Absolutely stunning large wine red flowers with contrasting yellow anthers are produced from mid summer well into autumn.

Also consider: Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchard' for bright mid pink flowers; Clematis 'Miss Bateman' for palest pink flowers.