Gardening in sandy soil can be challenging for any gardener. Sandy soil is not binding, sandy soil does not clump so moisture is not absorbed by the sandy soil. Any water and rainfall added to sandy soil runs off or away from the soil. Since sandy soil is partly made of coarse, large sand particles, moisture and nutrients are easily washed away. Many plants are unable to absorb moisture and nutrients from the sandy soil they need to maintain a healthy plant life. To thrive, plants also need soil that have microorganisms which is lacking in sandy soil due to the insufficient retention of moisture and nutrients.
To correct these deficiencies in sandy soil, add compost to your sandy soil so that organic matter can provide these nutrients and aid in water retention. If you do not have access to compost, it is easy to start a compost of your own. For information on starting a compost read our post How to Save Money On Soil by Starting A Compost. Trust me starting a compost is not only easy but a money saving alternative to buying topsoil or garden soil for your sandy soil garden. Another option is to add Greensand, a soil conditioner for sandy soil. Greensand is an organic soil conditioner that binds sandy soil to increase the water holding capacity of sandy soil.
Another consideration to successful sandy soil gardening is to select plants that are native and tolerate sandy soil as well as other environmental conditions that are common in your area such as extreme heat, humidity, drought, or wind. We’ve listed 22 perennials that will grow in sandy soil and tolerate either full shade or some shade. Take a look at these perennials that tolerant sandy soil and tell us what you think.
- Veronica Giles Van Hees or Speedwell
Veronica Giles Van Hees or Speedwell has sunset pink florets on 6 inch spikes that bloom from late Spring to early Fall. Veronica Giles Van Hees grows in zones 3 to 8, likes either full Sun or part Sun and part shade, and does well in either normal, clay, or sandy soil. Veronica Giles Van Hees attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds, is deer and rabbit resistant, is hot dry site tolerant, blooms for 4 weeks or more, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
2. Sedum Sieboldi or Stonecrop
Sedum Sieboldi or Stonecrop has ice blue leaves tinged with rosy pink and bright rose flowers that bloom in early to late Summer. Sedum Sieboldi grows in zones 3 to 10, grows 4 inches tall, likes full Sun or part Sun and part shade, and does well in either normal, sandy, or clay soil. Sedum Sieboldi can be planted on a slope or bank, attracts butterflies, rabbit resistant, can be used in containers, blooms for 4 weeks or more, is hot dry site tolerant, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
3. Aquilegia Songbird Cardinal or Columbine
Aquilegia Songbird Cardinal or Columbine has rose and white bicolor flowers that bloom from mid Spring to early Summer. Aquilegia Songbird Cardinal grows in zones 3 to 9, grows 24 to 28 inches tall, likes full Sun to mostly shade, and likes soil that is normal, acidic or sandy. Songbird Cardinal is beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is both deer and rabbit resistant, can be used for cut floral arrangements, blooms for 4 weeks or more, can be used for container gardening, and is shade tolerant.
4. Aquilegia Canadensis or Columbine
Aquilegia Canadensis or Columbine has red with yellow accent flowers that bloom from mid Spring to early Summer. Aquilegia Canadensis grows in zones 3 to 8, grows between 24 and 36 inches tall, likes full Sun to mostly shade, and likes soil that is normal, acidic, or sandy. Aquilegia Canadensis is beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, good for cut flowers, deer resistant, blooms 4 weeks or more, seaside and salt tolerant, and shade tolerant.
5. Veronica Tidal Pool or Speedwell
Veronica Tidal Pool or Speedwell has blue violet flowers with white eyes with silver green foliage. Evergreen Tidal Pool Veronica blooms in mid to late Spring reaches 2 to 3 inches tall which makes it an ideal groundcover. Veronica Tidal Pool grows in zones 4 to 8, can grow in either a full Sun or part Sun and part shade garden location, and likes soil that is either normal, clay or sandy. Veronica Tidal Pool attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, resists both deer and rabbits, is hot dry site tolerant, foot traffic tolerant, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
6. Panicum Northwind or Switchgrass
Panicum Northwind or Switchgrass has pillars of olive blue green blades with yellow seed heads that crown the blades at bloom time in mid to late Summer. Panicum Northwind grows in zones 3 to 9, likes full Sun or part Sun and part shade, can reach 4 to 5 feet tall, and does well in soil that is either normal, clay, or sandy. Panicum Northwind is deer resistant, can be used as a hedge, humidity tolerant, can be used in container gardening, is seaside and salt tolerant, and provides the garden with interest in the winter.
7. Veronica Georgia Blue or Speedwell
Veronica Georgia Blue or Speedwell has rich blue flowers with white eyes on deep green glossy foliage that blooms early to late Spring. An evergreen and groundcover, Georgia Blue Veronica grows in zones 5 to 8, grows 6 to 8 inches tall, likes either full Sun or part Sun and part shade. Georgia Blue grows in soil that is normal, clay, or sandy. Veronica Georgia Blue attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, resists both deer and rabbits, is hot dry site tolerant, blooms for 4 weeks or more, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
8. Iberis Purity or Candytuft
Iberis Purity or Candytuft has white clusters on glossy, evergreen foliage on a compact plant that blooms in early to late Spring. Iberis Purity grows in zones 3 to 9, grows up to about 8 inches tall, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade. Candytuft likes soil that is either normal or sandy. Iberis Purity are beneficial for pollinators, both deer and rabbit resistant, hot dry site tolerant, humidity tolerant, can be used as an edger, an evergreen, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
9. Veronica Waterperry Blue or Speedwell
Veronica Waterperry Blue or Speedwell has lavender blue flowers and white eyes with deep green foliage tinged with burgundy and copper tones. Veronica Waterperry Blue blooms in mid to late Spring and likes full Sun to half Sun and half shade. Waterperry Blue grows in zones 3 to 9, reaches about 5 inches tall, and likes soil that is normal, clay, or sandy. Waterperry Blue attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is deer and rabbit resistant, is hot dry site tolerant, works well as a groundcover, foot traffic tolerant, and is seaside and salt tolerant. A great option where foot traffic is needed in a garden area.
10. Armeria Dusseldorf Pride or Sea Thrift
Armeria Dusseldorf Pride or Sea Thrift has a low tuft mound of grassy green leaves and bears deep pink globular flowers on wiry stems in mid Spring to early Summer. The 8 to 10 inch tall Dusseldorf Pride grows in zones 3 to 9, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade, and does well in soil that is either normal or sandy. Dusseldorf Pride Sea Thrift can be used as cut flowers, hot dry site tolerant, evergreen, can be used as edgers, and is seaside and salt tolerant. A every cheerful plant with beautiful rosy pink globe flowers!
11. Veronica Liwanensis or Speedwell
Veronica Liwanensis or Speedwell has large periwinkle blue flowers with evergreen mat of glossy foliage that blooms in mid to late Spring. Veronica Liwanensis grows in zones 4 to 9, is 3 inches tall, and likes soil that is normal, sandy, or clay. Liwanensis Speedwell attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is deer and rabbit resistant, evergreen, humidity tolerant, shade tolerant, can be used as groundcover, foot traffic tolerant, and is seaside and salt tolerant. This speedwell likes full Sun or part Sun and part shade.
12. Veronica Blue Reflection or Speedwell
Veronica Blue Reflection or Speedwell with its true blue flowers that bloom from mid Spring to mid Summer settle very nicely along a garden path, a rock garden, the front border of a flower bed, or as a groundcover. The 3 inch tall Veronica Blue Reflection grows in zone 4 to 8, likes normal, sandy, or clay soil, and is heat tolerant. Blue Reflection Speedwell attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is deer and rabbit resistant, hot dry site tolerant, can be used as a groundcover, blooms for 4 weeks or more, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
13. Veronica Red Fox or Speedwell
Veronica Red Fox or Speedwell have rosy tapering spikes that bloom in mid Spring to late Summer. The 15 inch tall Veronica Red Fox grows in zones 3 to 8, likes a full Sun to part Sun and part shade garden location, and likes soil that is normal, clay, or sandy. Veronica Red Fox or Speedwell attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is deer and rabbit resistant, hot dry site tolerant, blooms for 4 weeks or more, can be used for container gardening, and is seaside and salt tolerant. Pretty, bright, and pink spikes are a lovely addition to any garden!
14. Liriope Big Blue or Lilyturf
Liriope Big Blue or Lilyturf has blue flower spikes from tufted arching grass like foliage followed by clusters of black berries that appear from early to late Summer. Liriope Big Blue grows in zones 5 to 10, reaches about 14 inches tall, likes full Sun to mostly shady, and likes soil that is either normal, acidic, clay, or sandy. Big Blue Lilyturf can be used for a Slope or Bank, is deer resistant, dry shade tolerant, an evergreen, can be used as a groundcover, humidity tolerant, shade tolerant, foot traffic tolerant, and is seaside and salt tolerant. Liriope is ideal for a difficult garden location. Also a great selection for Gulf Coast states in zones 8, 9, and 10. Big Blue lilyturf is a low maintenance perennial that can address many garden needs.
15. Armeria Rosa Stolz or Sea Thrift
Armeria Rosa Stolz or Sea Thrift has pastel lavender pink buttons of color on slim stems over grass mounds that bloom in mid to late Spring. The petit Armeria Rosa Stolz grows in zones 3 to 9, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade, and does well in either normal or sandy soil. Rosa Stolz Sea Thrift is a good source for cut flowers, hot dry site tolerant, can be used as edgers, Evergreen, and is seaside and salt tolerant. A charming floral perennial that would be ideal along a garden path.
16. Sedum Blue Spruce or Stone Crop
Sedum Blue Spruce or Stonecrop has Christmas tree like foliage with yellow flowers appear early to late Spring. The 6 inch Sedum Blue Spruce grows in zones 3 to 9, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade, and does well in soils that are normal or sandy. Sedum Blue Spruce can be planted on a slope or bank, attracts butterflies, is deer and rabbit resistant, hot dry site tolerant, can be used as a groundcover, blooms for 4 weeks or more, can be used in container gardening, and is seaside and salt tolerant.
17. Black Sea Heuchera or Coral Bells
Black Sea Heuchera or Coral Bells are glossy, dark burgundy-purple leaves stands out amongst other perennials in a striking contrast to its deep, dark foliage. A vigorous “black” Heuchera, Black Sea Coral Bells grows in zones 4 to 9, can reach 12 to 18 inches in height, and likes soil that is normal, sandy, or damp. The evergreen Black Sea Coral Bells are deer and rabbit resistant, attract hummingbirds, easy to grow, makes good cut flowers, and can be used in containers.
18. Christmas Fern
The deer resistant native of the eastern US, the Christmas Fern provides your garden with year around deep, evergreen beauty. The robust Christmas Fern grows in zones 3 to 9, reaches between 12 and 24 inches in height, and likes soil that is either sandy, normal, or acidic. Christmas Fern grows in full shade or part Sun and part shade, is evergreen, can be used as erosion control, and provides interest to the winter garden.
Frans Hals Daylily has bicolored flowers that are rusty crimson inner petals with yellow throats and sunny yellow outer petals that appear in mid to late Summer. Frans Hals Daylily grows in zones 2 to 9, likes full Sun to half Sun and half shade, grows between 20 to 24 inches in height, and likes soil that is normal, sandy, drought and dry, or moist and wet. Frans Hals Daylily is humidity tolerant, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, rabbit resistant, easy to grow, can be used for erosion control, is low maintenance, perfect for planting in small spaces, and great for using in mass plantings.
Bright Eyes Phlox has pale pink blooms with with spotted deep magenta eyes blooming mid Summer through Fall. Bright Eyes Phlox grows in zones 4 to 8, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade, grows between 24 and 36 inches tall, and likes soil that is either sandy or normal. Bright Eyes Phlox attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is a native plant, fragrant, and makes a great cut floral bouquet.
Dwarf Blazing Star with spiky purple blooms that tolerates heat, drought, and high humidity. The showy native Dwarf Blazing Star grows in zones 4 to 8, likes full Sun to part Sun and part shade, can reach between 18 to 24 inches tall, and likes soil that is either normal, sandy, or drought dry. Dwarf Blazing Star attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds, is bee friendly, dry sites tolerant, and humidity tolerant.
22. Geranium Johnson’s Blue or Cranesbill
Geranium Johnson’s Blue or Cranesbill has large vivid periwinkle blue flowers blooming from late Spring to Fall. The 12 inch tall Geranium Johnson’s Blue grows in zones 4 to 8, likes full Sun to mostly shade garden locations, and likes soil that is either normal, sandy, or acidic. Geranium Johnson’s Blue is beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies, is deer resistant, can be used as an edgers or groundcovers, blooms for 4 weeks or more, can be used in container gardening, is shade tolerant and is seaside and salt tolerant.
Gardening in a region with sandy soil is possible if you add 2 to 3 inches of compost or a soil conditioner such as organic Greensand. Mix the compost into the soil at least 6 inches deep. Remember to select native plants that are tolerant of sandy soil and that are tolerant of weather conditions that are common in your neighborhood such as drought, extreme heat, humidity, or wind. After planting your perennials or annuals, add 2 to 3 inches of mulch to your garden plants to maintain moisture. If you try any of these 22 Sandy Soil Perennials that like shade be sure to let us know how you make out.
For information on sandy soil perennials that like Sun, see our post 50 Sandy Soil Perennials That Like Sun. For information on shade tolerant perennials, see our post 24 Spectacular Shade Garden Perennials. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below. We always are ready to help you out.
I wpuld like to buy in bulk of the 22 flowers that grow in shade and sandy soil could you please contact us at 912 424 1540 so we can get this started this year
Hi Sherry Ann, If you click on the image of the perennials that you are interested in – it will take you to the garden store that sells that perennial. I personally don’t sell any plants but I write about the plants themselves. Just click on the picture and it should take you to the garden center where you can contact them to place an order if you like.
Thanks for reading the Finding Sea Turtles blog. – Mary