Periwinkle, Japanese spindle, sedge, cranesbill, pachysandra, lavender and hellebore: plants that the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF list as tolerating chalky, lime-rich soil. Pick a plant type below to narrow the list. Delivery is free and tracked to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which plants tolerate chalky and alkaline soil?
The plants in this collection are listed by the RHS Plant Finder as growing in chalky soil, and most are also listed for clay, sandy and loam soils: periwinkle (Vinca minor), Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus), sedge (Carex morrowii), cranesbill (Geranium), pachysandra, lavender, hellebore and more. Chalky soil is alkaline, so the useful question is which plants tolerate high pH, not which ones you can persuade to like it.
| Plant | RHS hardiness | Soil and pH | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periwinkle (Vinca minor) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Dry to moist soil; exposed or sheltered sites |
| Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus, E. fortunei) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Dry to moist soil; E. japonicus also tolerates coastal exposure |
| Sedge (Carex morrowii) | H7 (to about -20 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Moist soil |
| Cranesbill (Geranium 'Rozanne', G. macrorrhizum) | H7 (to about -20 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky; 'Rozanne' acid to alkaline, G. macrorrhizum neutral to alkaline | G. macrorrhizum takes dry to moist soil |
| Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Moist soil; listed for sheltered sites |
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Dry to moist soil; sheltered sites; tolerates coastal exposure |
| Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis, H. niger) | H4 to H6 (to about -5 to -15 °C) | Clay, loam or chalky; neutral to alkaline | Moist soil; H. niger 'Christmas Carol' is listed for sheltered sites |
Hardiness ratings and soil ranges come from the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF, and each product page lists its sources. Minimum temperatures are the warm end of each RHS band, so they err on the cautious side.
How to tell whether your soil is chalky
The RHS suggests a simple test: if a sample froths when placed in a jar of vinegar, it contains free calcium carbonate (chalk) or limestone and is lime rich. Very chalky soil may also show lumps of white stone.
Working with chalky soil, not against it
The RHS notes that very chalky soils cannot be acidified, so it is better to choose plants that tolerate alkaline conditions than to fight the pH. It also warns that chalky soils will not support ericaceous (acid-loving) plants such as rhododendrons, camellias, heathers and blueberries. Many chalky soils are shallow, free-draining and low in fertility, though clay in the mix can raise nutrient levels and water-holding capacity.
Planting and aftercare
- Timing: in Ireland, plant in autumn (October to November) or in spring (February to April). Our plants are young plants in 7 to 9 cm pots, so allow a few seasons for them to fill out.
- Mulch: the RHS recommends a layer at least 5 cm (2 in) thick, such as well-rotted garden compost, chipped bark, gravel or grit. It helps soil hold moisture, suppresses weeds and protects roots in winter. Mulch can go on in late autumn to late winter, or at any time around new plantings.
- Watering: water young plants until they are established, including those listed as tolerating dry soil.
What this list does and does not mean
Tolerates is not the same as thrives. The RHS Plant Finder and PFAF, checked October 2026, say these plants can grow in chalky soil. They do not promise a plant will flourish in your garden, where topsoil depth, drainage and exposure all matter. Plants whose sources do not name chalky soil are left out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I grow plants in chalky soil in Ireland?
Yes. Many plants tolerate alkaline soil, and the RHS advises choosing from those rather than trying to change the pH. The plants here are listed for chalky soil by the RHS Plant Finder or PFAF.
Can I make chalky soil more acidic?
The RHS says very chalky soils cannot be acidified. If you want acid-loving plants, growing them in a container of suitable compost is the practical route; otherwise choose plants that tolerate lime.
Which of these plants are the hardiest?
Sedge and cranesbill are rated H7 by the RHS, the hardiest band in this list, and periwinkle is H6. Lavender, euonymus and pachysandra are H5. See the table for the hellebore range.
Do these plants need sun or shade?
That depends on the plant, so check each product page. Our sources give exposure data for some plants only, so we make no blanket claim.
What else should I read before planting?
See our collections of plants for sandy soil, plants for clay soil and drought-tolerant plants, or our guide to choosing and planting a hedge in Ireland.