Best Plants for Sandy Soil

However, sandy soils are typically low in nutrients. This is because the large pore space and fast drainage washes out any available nutrients.

Sandy soils also warm up and cool down relatively quickly from the air temperature changes, meaning growth in the spring will start quickly but cool nights in the autumn will make the perennials go into dormancy earlier as well.

In general, perennials that prefer sandy soils are happy being on the drier side and function well with little nutrients – a great recipe for a lower maintenance garden!

Here is a list of some of the most reliable perennials for your sandy soil garden. Whether you are looking for a specific color, height, or bloom time in your region, this list will help you identify what would be perfect for what you need!

The Easiest Plants to Grow in Sandy Soil

Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Zone 3-9

Coming in nearly every color you can imagine, bearded irises are a garden favorite! They require very little attention and have no problem competing for their place in the garden. The rhizomes multiply fairly quickly, so it is helpful to divide the plants every few years to avoid overcrowding and spread your iris collection! Many bearded irises are reblooming, so you can enjoy their color both in late spring and in early to mid-fall.

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Zone 4-9

Black Eyed Susans are a must have in your garden! They produce yellow daisy-like flowers with black centers topping off at 3’tall. ‘Goldsturm’ is a popular variety blooming profusely from mid-summer to early-fall.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Zone 4-9

This purple-blue colored bloom opens mid-late summer on a 3-4’ spikes. The easy maintenance and reliable color of Russian sage makes it a sandy soil favorite

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – Zone 4-9

‘Lyrical Silvertone’ is a 2’ tall purple salvia that blooms from late spring to early summer. As a member of the mint family, it is low maintenance and reliable. A more compact option that adds blue to the summer garden is ‘Blue Marvel.’Only getting 10-12” tall, ‘Blue Marvel’ is perfect for short border edges and constant color from late spring to fall.

Sedum (Sedum) – Zone 3-9

‘Autumn Joy’ produces a reliable pink clump about 2’ tall. Blooming mid-summer to mid-fall, you get this bright color as other perennials are starting to slow down. This is a very carefree plant, requiring little attention. Just plant it, sit back, and enjoy!

Best Plants for Sandy Soil in Full Sun

These full sun lovers will give you a variety of color and long lasting stamina through the heat of the sunny summer days.

• Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Zone 3-9
• Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Zone 4-9
• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Zone 4-10
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Zone 6-9
• Phlox (Phlox) – Zone 4-8
• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – Zone 4-9
• Sedum (Sedum) – Zone 3-9

Plants for Sandy Soil in Shade

These plants will perform well in those deeper, shady corners of the border or in the understory of the forest floor.

• Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – Zone 3-9
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Zone 3-8
• Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne) – Zone 4-8
• Hosta (Hosta) – Zone 3-9
• Yarrow (Achillea) – Zone 3-9
• Daylily (Hemerocallis) – Zone 2-9
• Foxglove (Digitalis) – Zone 3-8

Plants for Sandy Soil in Hot, Dry Areas

No need to give supplemental water to these dry loving plants! They will perform well in the heat and drought unlike others.

• Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) – Zone 4-8
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Zone 6-9
• Phlox (Phlox) – Zone 4-8
• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – Zone 4-9
• Sedum (Sedum) – Zone 3-9

Plants for Sandy Soil in Hot, Humid Areas

These perennials will easily tolerate the humid southern regions up through the summer humidity of the east coast.

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Zone 4-10
• Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) – Zone 4-8
• Liatris (Liatris) – Zone 4-8

Plants for Sandy Soil that Attract Pollinators and Hummingbirds

Say hello to a buzzing garden, from butterflies and bees to hummingbirds you will have a colorful garden full of life!

• Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Zone 4-9
• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Zone 4-10
• Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) – Zone 4-8
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Zone 6-9
• Liatris (Liatris) – Zone 4-8
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Zone 4-9
• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – Zone 4-9
• Sedum (Sedum) – Zone 3-9

Plants for Sandy Soil that Repel Deer and Other Critters

These easy-care sandy soil plants naturally deter deer and rabbits leaving them low maintenance and beautiful all season long.

• Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Zone 3-9
• Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Zone 4-9
• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Zone 4-10
• Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – Zone 3-9
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Zone 3-8
• Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) – Zone 4-8
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Zone 6-9
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Zone 4-9
• Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – Zone 4-9

Getting a Full Season of Blooms in the Sandy Soil Garden

Hopefully this list has helped you determine that there are many options for perennial color in your sandy soil garden. Looking at their bloom time is important in creating a garden with constant color.

Start the season early with your bearded irises opening up in early spring and lasting to the beginning of summer. These can be paired with creeping phlox for a happy pink and purple carpet in the spring.Early summer brings the end of iris season and the start of salvias, lavenders, and butterfly weeds.

Your mid-summer garden starts to fill out with taller perennials including the black eyed susans and joe pye weed that carry the blooms through the rest of summer. With autumn comes soft sedums and Russian sage. At this time, you can enjoy your bearded iris again if you have reblooming varieties!

You can even add winter interest to your garden with the sandy loving evergreen Christmas fern. This four season sandy soil garden will keep you enthralled and proud all year long!

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