Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
Plants that grow in sandy soil and shade. Some of these plants bloom while others such as ferns and hosta are much sought after because of their foliage colors. These plants are tolerant of sandy soil conditions. What exactly is sandy soil? Sandy soil is soil that does not retain water or its nutrients due to the coarseness of its particles. Rainwater simply washes away, taking along any nutrients with it.
To grow plants in sandy soil, you either modify the soil or work with the soil you have. To correct the soil’s lack of water retention, you must amend the soil. This is done by amending the sandy soil with organic material or compost. By amending the sandy soil with organic material, the soil becomes acceptable to more plants. However, this may be difficult if you have a large area to cover. Amending sandy soil can be labor intensive and time consuming.
If you decide to select plants that grow in sandy soil in part shade to full shade then this post identifies plants that grow in sandy soil and shade. Plants that are tolerant of sandy soil will thrive in this soil condition.
Sandy Soil Tolerant Plants, Ground Covers, and Ornamental Grasses for Sun
If you are interested in sandy soil tolerant plants for Sunny garden areas then see our previous post – Plants that grow in sandy soil and Sun. For ground covers tolerant of sandy soil and Sun see our post – Ground Covers that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun.
If you are interested in using sandy soil tolerant ornamental grasses then see our post – Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun.
Today’s topic covers plants that grow in sandy soils in full Shade to part shade and part Sun. So, on to our list of plants that grow in sandy soils and shade. Take a look and let us know what you think.
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Aquilegia – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soils and Shade
Aquilegia is also known as Columbine. A spring blooming plant that may or may not have spurs from behind the blooms. Self-sowing flowers that are single or double.
Aquilegia Songbird Cardinal
Aquilegia Songbird Cardinal produces a skyward-facing showy flower. In hot dry climates, provide partial afternoon shade.
- grows in zones 3 to 9
- mostly shady to full Sun
- reaches 24 to 28 inches high
- bi-color flowers are rosy red with white accents
- blooms mid Spring to early Summer
- beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
- resistant to deer and rabbits
- grow in containers
- use in cut floral arrangements
- tolerates normal, acidic, and sandy
- tolerant of shade
Double Winky Red Columbine – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
Double Winky Red Columbine has double petals that are nectar rich. Loved by hummingbirds.
- grows in zones 3 to 8
- part shade and part Sun to full Sun
- reaches 12 to 14 inches tall by 12 to 18 inches wide
- flowers are red
- blooms from late Spring to early Summer
- attract hummingbirds
- resistant to deer and rabbits
- tolerates sandy, loamy, moist wet, and acidic soil conditions
- grow in a rock or alpine garden
- suitable for small garden spaces
2. Ceratostigma
The Ceratostigma has true blue flowers and is used as a ground cover because of its tight growth habit. In northern sites, Ceratostigma needs protection over the Winter season. Prefers morning Sun with afternoon shade.
Ceratostigma Plumbaginoides
Ceratostigma Plumbaginoides is known as Plumbago and Leadwort. A low mounding ground cover that turns red hues in the Fall.
- grows in zones 5 to 9
- mostly shady to mostly Sunny
- reaches 10 inches high
- flowers are brilliant blue
- blooms from mid Summer to mid Fall
- attracts butterflies
- resistant to deer
- tolerates normal, sandy, and clay soil conditions
3. Ferns
Shade loving ferns with their many lacy fronds soften their surrounding plants. They do best in a woodland setting however, some ferns don’t mind sandy soil conditions. Below are two ferns that will grow in sandy soil.
Christmas Fern – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
An evergreen ground cover, the Christmas Fern is native to the eastern US.
- native
- grows in zones 3 to 9
- full shade to part shade and part Sun
- reaches 12 to 24 inches tall
- resistant to deer
- grow as a ground cover
- tolerates sandy, loamy, moist to wet, and acidic soil conditions
- helps control erosion on shady and partly-shady slopes
- provides Winter interest in the garden
Fern Cinnamon
Fern Cinnamon has upright golden-copper slender fronds that extend from the center. Appear like cinnamon sticks with lacy green leaves below. Downy silver fiddleheads emerge in the Spring unfurl displaying intricate filigree crisp-green foliage.
- native
- grows in zones 5 to 9
- full shade to part shade and part Sun
- reaches 2 to 3 feet tall
- resistant to deer and rabbits
- tolerant to shade and wet site garden conditions
- tolerates normal, acidic, and sandy soil conditions
4. Geranium
Perennial Geranium is a favorite with its excellent mounding habit and late spring to summer blooming period. The foliage complements the flowers
Geranium Biokovo – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
Geranium Biokovo is also known as Cranesbill and Perennial Geranium. Originally from the Biokovo Mountains in Europe. This plant forms a low spreading mat of fragrant foliage. Foliage turns red in the Fall.
- grows in zones 5 to 8
- mostly shady to full Sun
- reaches 6 to 12 inches tall
- fragrant flowers are pink centered white
- blooms late Spring to early Summer
- beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies
- resistant to deer
- tolerates normal, sandy, and acidic soil conditions
- grow as a ground cover, on a slope or bank and in containers
- tolerant of dry shade, and shade garden conditions
- provides Winter interest in the garden
Johnson’s Blue Geranium
Johnson’s Blue Geranium is well known and loved.
- grows in zones 4 to 8
- part shade and part Sun to full Sun
- reaches 15 to 18 inches by 18 to 24 inches wide
- blooms late Spring to early Summer
- attract butterflies
- resistant to deer and rabbit
- plant in containers and as ground cover
- tolerates sandy, loamy, drought – dry, moist – wet soil conditions
- tolerant dry site conditions
Geranium phaeum Samobor
The Geranium phaeum Samobor has royal purple flowers that hover over the maple leaf foliage. Tolerates full Sun to deep shade. Grow this geranium as a ground cover.
- grows in zones 4 to 9
- full shade to full Sun
- reaches 16 to 20 inches high
- flowers are royal purple
- bloom late Spring to early Summer
- beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies
- resistant to deer and rabbits
- tolerates normal, acidic, and sandy soil conditions
- tolerant of shade
5. Hosta – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
Grown for their beautifully colored foliage, Hosta plants are shade lovers. Some Hosta plants tolerate deep shade. Suitable for growing beneath trees where grass struggles to survive.
Fire Island Hosta
Striking foliage of green-yellow with reddish-purple stems, the Fire Island Hosta attracts hummingbirds.
- grows in zones 3 to 9
- full shade to part shade and part Sun
- reaches 14 to 16 inches tall with a spread of 29 to 35 inches wide
- blooms are spikes of lavender flowers
- Foliage is bright green-yellow on reddish-purple stems turning chartreuse late in the season
- blooms in mid to late Summer
- attract hummingbirds
- grow in containers, as ground cover, or in mass plants
- tolerant of sandy, moist – wet soil conditions
Hosta Victory – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
The Hosta Victory has elegant, heart-shaped leaves with a light yellow edging.
- grows in zones 3 to 9
- full shade to part shade and part Sun
- reaches 30 to 35 inches tall with a spread of 70 inches wide
- blooms from early to mid Summer
- foliage is green leaves with a yellow margin
- tolerates sandy, clay, moist to wet soil conditions
6. Liriope
Liriope is also known as Lilyturf and Monkey Grass. This a grass-like perennial that can be used as a lawn alternative. Originally from south Asia, Liriope is the solution to many garden sites. It grows in difficult sites and thrives in many soil and light conditions. It is especially a good selection for the Gulf states in zones 8 through 10.
Liriope muscari Big Blue
An evergreen perennial, the Liriope muscari Big Blue is an improved version of an older variety. Blooms are followed by clusters of black berries in the Fall.
- grows in zones 5 to 10
- mostly shady to full Sun
- reaches 14 inches high
- flowers are blue floral spike followed by clusters of black berries
- foliage is tufted arching, grass-like growth
- blooms from early to late Summer
- resistant to deer
- tolerates normal, acidic, sandy, and clay soil conditions
- plant as edging, on a slope or bank
- tolerant of dry shade, humidity, shade, seaside – salt, and foot traffic conditions
Liriope Variegated – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
Adaptable for many garden sites, Liriope Variegated does well in dry, sandy soil conditions. Grow in borders, containers, as a ground cover, a rock garden or woodland area. Liriope flowers are vivid and grape hyacinth like in appearance.
- grows in zones 5 to 10
- full shade to part shade to full Sun
- reaches 8 to 18 inches tall
- flowers are purple spikes of tiny grape-like clusters about 4 to 8 inches long
- blooms are similar to Grape-Hyacinth
- foliage is grassy-leaves striped lengthwise in green with creamy white centers
- blooms mid Summer to early Fall
- resistant to deer
- tolerant of moist, well-drained soil, dry soils and drought conditions once it has been established
7. Phlox – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
A heavy bloomer, Phlox blooms typically in late Spring and through Summer. These two phlox below are low growing, spreading Phlox that grow in shade and sandy soils. They are creeping phlox not the garden Phlox variety that grows in Sun and taller.
Sherwood Purple Woodland Phlox
The Sherwood Purple Woodland Phlox prefers shade but will tolerate some Sun. Sherwood Purple is especially effective in a woodland garden setting.
- North American native
- grows in zones 5 to 9
- full shade to part shade and part Sun
- reaches 6 to 10 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide
- Flowers are periwinkle bluish-purple
- blooms from late Spring to early Summer
- attracts butterflies
- tolerant of well drained, sandy soil conditions
- tolerant of drought once established
Phlox stolonifera Home Fires – Plants that Grow in Sandy Soil and Shade
The Phlox stolonifera Home Fires is also known as Tufted Creeping Phlox. A fragrant perennial ideal for a shade or woodland garden.
- grows in zones 3 to 8
- mostly shady to mostly Sunny
- reaches 12 inches high
- fragrant flowers of vibrant pink on deep green narrow foliage
- blooms late Spring to early Summer
- attracts butterflies
- tolerates normal, sandy, and acidic soil conditions
- tolerant of dry shade, shade, and wet site conditions
8. Potentilla
A low growing perennial, Potentilla that looks like strawberry foliage. It can be grown as a lawn substitute with low foot traffic. However, it does not tolerate humidity conditions along the Gulf States.
Potentilla Neumanianna
The Potentilla Neumanianna is also known as Cinquefoil. An evergreen ground cover that grows on garden walls and between pavers.
- grows in zones 4 to 8
- mostly shady to full Sun
- reaches 3 to 6 inches tall
- flowers are bright yellow buttercup blooms with foliage that is deep green leaves and a spicy scent
- blooms mid Spring to early Summer
- beneficial for pollinators
- resistant to deer
- tolerates normal, clay, and sandy soil conditions
- tolerant of hot dry site, shade, and foot traffic conditions
- grow in containers, as a ground cover, on a slope or bank, or rock garden
This ends our list of plants that grow in sandy soil and shade. We hope you enjoyed our post. Be sure to let us what you think. If you have sandy soil, have you had success growing certain plants? We’d love to know about your success stories. If you enjoyed this post . . . .
Enjoy Our Other Gardening related posts, including:
Ornamental Grasses that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun
Ground Covers that Grow in Sandy Soil and Sun
Best Low Maintenance Lawn Alternatives
Fantastic Ways to Minimize Your Lawn Mowing
And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We always are ready to help you out. Thank you for dropping by.
Mary
