Conifer plants for dry sandy soil
Sandy soils dry out easily and are low in key nutrients. They allow rainwater to filter through the ground quickly, leaching out nutrients in the process. On the plus side, they are easy to work, warm up quickly in the spring and provide the perfect arid landscape for plants that thrive in dry, infertile soils. The best conifers for dry, sandy soils tend to be those native to dry regions such as the Mediterranean, having evolved to survive through extended periods with little or no rainfall. These conifer plants also work well in low-maintenance planting schemes such as gravel or rock gardens where they’ll require less back-breaking watering work than other varieties. Pine conifer plants are perhaps the most obvious choice for sandy soils with their long, narrow, needle-like foliage in shades of green, blue or gold. There are a wide range of shapes and sizes available from the tiny dwarf Pinus Mugo Mops at 30cm tall to the Scots Pine topping out at 12+ metres. Juniper conifers are another good choice with small, narrow, evergreen, needle-like foliage and fleshy, aromatic berries used in gin making. Sandy soils tend to be acidic and benefit from generous amounts of organic matter such as well rotted garden compost, leaf mould or manure being worked into the soil before planting.