Low maintenance tough shrubs for dry sandy soil & full Sun

Here is a cross section of tough shrubs that will tolerate dry exposed planting locations and conditions, as well as poor sandy or drought prone soils. There are some common features associated with shrubs that will tolerate drought, these features will often help shrubs flourish in drought prone dry and sunny planting conditions. Many waxy leaved conifers will tolerate a sunny dry spot, as will other evergreens that have tough moisture retentive foliage. Silvery foliage plants have tiny water conserving hairs, which protect the plant against drought as well as give it a silver appearance. Many plants with very thick rubbery leaves will also tolerate dry conditions as they can retain hold moisture within the leaf.

If you are planting in an exposed position it is always sensible to stake and tie trees securely and always improve dry sandy impoverished soils by digging in plenty of planting compost and fertilizer into the planting pit. Laying a surface mulch of compost above the soil to help conserve any moisture within the soil, giving the young plant a good start, and always water in a plant immediately after planting and carry on watering regularly while young plants are establishing.


Click on an image or plant name to view the full plant profile
Click Image for Full ProfileLatin & Common NameType & FormFlowersFoliageEarmark
Elaeagnus angustifolia - Russian OliveElaeagnus angustifolia

Russian Olive
Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Rounded - BushYellow flowers (Summer, scented)Grey foliage
Ceanothus arboreus - Trewithen Blue - Californian LilacCeanothus arboreus

'Trewithen Blue'

Californian Lilac
Shrub, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushDark blue flowers (Summer, scented)Lime Green foliage
Cistus cobariensisCistus cobariensisShrub, Ground cover, Container-friendly, SpreadingWhite flowers (Summer)Medium Green foliage
Artemisia ludoviciana - Silver Queen - ArtemisiaArtemisia ludoviciana

Silver Queen

Artemisia
Shrub, Herbs, Ground cover, Culinary, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushYellow flowers (Summer, scented)Grey foliage
Helianthemum The Bride - Rock RoseHelianthemum The Bride

Rock Rose
Shrub, Ground cover, Alpine, Container-friendly, SpreadingWhite flowers (Summer)Silver foliage
Salvia officinalis - SageSalvia officinalis

Sage
Shrub, Herbs, Ground cover, Culinary, Container-friendly, SpreadingLight blue flowers (Summer)Light Green foliage
Hibiscus syriacus - Oiseau Bleu - Cotton RoseHibiscus syriacus

'Oiseau Bleu'

Cotton Rose
Shrub, Rounded - BushNon-floweringMedium Green foliage
Brachyglottis greyi - BrachyglottisBrachyglottis greyi

Brachyglottis
Shrub, Rounded - ClumpYellow flowers (Summer early)Silver foliage
Rosmarinus officinalis - Sissinghurst Blue - RosemaryRosmarinus officinalis

'Sissinghurst Blue'

Rosemary
Shrub, Herbs, Hedging & Screening, Culinary, Container-friendly, Rounded - BushDark blue flowers (Summer)Blue foliage
Myrtus communis - Myrtle, MyrtusMyrtus communis

Myrtle, Myrtus
Shrub, Non-flowering 


You can use our plant-finder to find plants that match your garden conditions exactly, for example Low maintenance tough shrubs for dry sandy soil & full Sun - click to give it a try!

Have you seen our other plant top ten recommendations?

Share this page with your friends on Facebook!
Find Me Plants - the search for the right garden plants starts here
Send this page to a Friend Link to this page Bookmark
Add our plant search tool to your website or blog, absolutely free.
Find out how
Buy the FMP boys a cuppa! ©www.FindMePlants.co.uk