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Plants, Flowers and Trees that will Grow in Alkaline Soil

These plants will grow and thrive in alkaline soil Soils in arid climates tend to be alkaline, with a pH factor of 7.0 or higher.
This is caused by the high percentage of lime (calcium carbonate) in soil of these regions.
The main problem associated with alkaline soils is that certain essential nutrients, particularly iron and zinc,
become unavailable to the plants.
If the soil is mildly alkaline (pH 7.5) you have nothing to worry about, however, the higher the pH, the harder it will be for you to find appropriate plants that will survive in your garden...

Common Name Botanical Name Height Plant Characteristics and Notes USDA
Zones
Growing Requirements
Benefits
Photo
Alpine Pinks Dianthus alpinus 4-8" This true alpine species of Pinks forms cushions of neat, dark green foliage. In mid-summer they produce dozens of extra large but otherwise typical looking, sweet smelling Dianthus flowers. Deer resistant 4-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
No Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
 
Bears Breeches Acanthus species 3-4 ft. Bear's Breeches are huge, mound forming perennials with dramatic, deeply cut, bright green leaves that can reach one foot wide and two feet long. From late spring until mid summer, they produce impressive, 2-3 foot tall spikes of hooded, white or light pink flowers. 5-10 This plant requires shade during the heat of the dayThis plant may not tolerate any direct sunlightThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
No Deer
White flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph of Acanthus spinosus is available
Blue Flax Linum narbonense 18" Clumps of soft green foliage, long lasting funnel shaped violet flowers in the Summer 5-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
blue flowering plant
 
Candytuft Iberis species 6"-12" The Iberis genus of plants includes about fourty different species of annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs, with flower colors in shades of white, red, pink or lavender. They are great plants for borders or in your Rock Garden. vary
This is an annual plant or it is commonly grown as an annual
This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Hummingbird PlantButterfly Flower
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph of Iberis sempervirens is available
Checkerbloom Sidalcea malviflora 3-4 ft. Sprawling growth of round leaves, loose heads of pink to white flowers throughout the Summer 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Pink flowering plant
 
Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 2-3 ft. Potentillas prefer well-drained, reasonably rich soil, but will tolerate clay, rocky, or even slightly alkaline soils as well. Loads of pink or yellow 'buttercup' flowers in June. 2-7 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Butterfly FlowerNo Deer
White flowering plantPink flowering plantYellow flowering plant
A photograph of Potentilla fruticosa is available
Clematis 'Snowdrift' Clematis armandii Vining Plants Abundant, fragrant 2-3 inch flowers in March through April. Attractive, evergreen covering for fences and arbors. Clematis like their heads in the sun and their roots in the shade. 6-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plant
A photograph of Clematis armandii is available
Clematis 'Anna Karolina' Clematis Anna Karolina Vining Plants Clematis 'Anna Karolina' produces loads of 5-6" white flowers in late Spring and again in late Summer on short six to nine foot vines. Prune back to 3-4 ft. in late winter. Clematis like their heads in the sun and their roots in the shade 4-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plant
A photograph of Clematis Anna Karolina is available
Coral Bells Heuchera sanguinea 12-18" Coral Bells are compact growing, 18" mounding, evergreen plants that offer a growing variety of outstanding foliage colors in shades of purple, rose, lime green, gold as well as many striking variegations. 6-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Hummingbird PlantButterfly FlowerNo Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantorange flowering plant
A photograph of Heuchera sanguinea is available
Cranesbill Erodium reichardii 3-6" Erodiums are low growing plants that form compact, dense 12" evergreen mounds of tufted, dark green foliage with scalloped edges. From April until October they produce ½" saucer shaped, rose-pink flowers or white flowers with red veins. 7-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
White flowering plantPink flowering plant
Erodium reichardii
Crown Vetch Coronilla varia 24" Sprawling leafy stems with an abundance of pink clover-like flowers throughout the Summer 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Pink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Delphinium Delphinium x elatum 2-6 ft. Delphiniums are stately, elegant plants that form mounds of maple-like or deeply serrated, dark green foliage. They produce tall spikes of showy flowers in late spring through to mid summer. Delphiniums range in size from less than 2 feet tall to towering 6 ft. spikes of cup shaped blossoms. 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Hummingbird Plant
White flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph of Delphinium elatum is available
Dwarf Baby's Breath Gypsophila muralis 3" Spreading mat of greyish foliage; abundant clusters of pink or white flowers from late Spring until early Summer 5-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
White flowering plantPink flowering plant
 
Florist's Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus 6-12" Florist's Carnations are actually tender perennials that are best grown from seed as an annual and then disposed of. They prefer alkaline soil and dislike heat. They produce richly fragrant flowers in the summer This is an annual plant or it is commonly grown as an annual This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
No Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Foxtail Lily Eremurus robustus 24-36" Straplike green leaves with 24" spikes of pink flowers atop 8 ft. stems in late Spring 6-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantPink flowering plant
 
Garden Pinks Dianthus 6-12" Most Garden Pinks are tender perennial or biennial clump forming plants that prefer alkaline soil and dislike heat. They produce richly fragrant flowers in the spring or summer, sometimes extending right up until the first frost. This is a Biennial Plant This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
No Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Goat's Rue Galega officinalis 3-5 ft. Light green, lance shaped foliage with spikes of pink pea-like flowers in mid-Summer 5-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantblue flowering plant
 
Gold Plate Yarrow Achillea filipendulina 4 ft. Gold Plate Yarrow is a long blooming perennial with fern like greyish green foliage and 4-6" bright yellow flower clusters 3-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Hummingbird PlantButterfly FlowerNo Deer
Yellow flowering plant
A photograph is available
Hardy Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus 6-12" Hardy Carnations are low maintenance, long blooming perennials. (Unfortunately they are only hardy to zone 8) They prefer alkaline soil and dislike heat. They produce their sweetly fragrant flowers all spring 8-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
No Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantYellow flowering plant
A photograph is available
Hart's Tongue Fern Asplenium scolopendrium 24-30" Unlike most other ferns, tropical looking Hart's Tongue Fern has strap-like undivided fronds. These glossy green ferns are native to most areas of the world with alkaline soil. Keep the soil evenly moist. Hart's Tongue Ferns are well suited for growing as a container plant. 6-8 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant may not tolerate any direct sunlightThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions A photograph is available
Heartleaf Saxifrage Bergenia cordifolia 10-15" Bergenia's clusters of purple-pink flowers are produced atop twelve inch burgundy stems in the early spring. Glossy 8 inch heart shaped leaves 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
No Deer
White flowering plantPink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph is available
Helen's Flower Helenium autumnale 5 ft. Branching, leafy stems with yellow, orange or reddish Daisy-like flowers in the Fall 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental watering
Red flowering plantYellow flowering plantorange flowering plant
 
Hens and Chicks Sempervivum tectorum 1"-4" Many varieties of succulent rosettes; unique flowers develop after the plant is a couple years old; needs excellent drainage zones vary This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental watering
White flowering plantPink flowering plant
Photo
Italian alkanet Anchusa italica 3-4 ft. Italian alkanet is a stout and durable member of the Forget-me-not family. It has hairy 6" leaves and produces spikes of "true blue" flowers in June and July 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental watering
blue flowering plant
 
Japanese Wind Flower Anemone hupehensis 12" Spreading ground cover with single 2-3", white to pink flowers 6-10 This plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Jupiter's Beard Centranthus ruber 24-36" Jupiter's Beard is an upright, branching perennial with soft, light bluish green, lance shaped foliage. It produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers from June through August. Can be easily grown from seeds. 4-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Butterfly Flower
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Ladies Fingers Anthyllis vulneraria 12-18" Silky, fern-like foliage mound, with small white or yellow blooms 7-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Red flowering plant
 
Lilacs Syringa vulgaris 5-8 ft. Lilacs require full sun for maximum bloom. They prefer a slightly alkaline soil (pH 7.5). Most Lilacs require a pronounced winter chilling period or they may fail to bloom the following year 3-7 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Butterfly FlowerNo Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph is available
Leopard's Bane Doronicum pardaliances 3 ft. Large heart shaped green foliage with bright yellow Daisy-like flowers from Spring to mid-Summer 5-9 This plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Yellow flowering plant
 
Madwort Alyssum spinosum 24" Compact shrub-like growth, tiny foliage, profusion of small white to pink flowers 8-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day Once established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantRed flowering plant
A photograph is available
Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes 4-7" The Maidenhair Spleenwort is a rhizomous, low growing, creeping fern that forms dense tufted rosettes of deep green fronds on black, wire-like stems. In nature, Maidenhair Spleenworts grow in shady rock cervices and rocky, calcium rich (limestone) soil. They require constant moisture and good drainage. 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant may not tolerate any direct sunlightThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions A photograph is available
Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pratense 36" Shiny green foliage turns bronze in the Fall, 1" saucer shaped flowers in mid_Summer 5-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditionsThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
blue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph is available
Meadow Sage Salvia nemorosa 3 ft. Narrow erect plant with irregular leaves, spikes of small purple to white blooms in the Summer. Prefers slightly alkaline soil 5-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering Once established this plant requires little or no supplemental watering
Hummingbirds use this plant for food or shelterNo Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantYellow flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph is available
Milky Bellflower Campanula lactiflora 2-5 ft. Large clumping plant with tall spikes of bell shaped purple/blue flowers in Summer 5-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
White flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Monkshood Aconitum napellus 3 ft. Monkshood closely resembles Delphiniums in both foliage and flower. It has deeply divided green foliage and tall spikes of dark blue, purple or white flowers 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Some or all parts of this plant may be toxic or poisonous
White flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Moss Campion Silene schafta 6-12" Semi-evergreen clump of hairy, tongue shaped leaves, solitary purplish/red flowers appear on wirey stems in late Summer and Fall 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Red flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Oregano Origanum amanum 6-8" Evergreen, small heart shaped green leaves; funnel shaped pink flowers mid-summer 8-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Pink flowering plant
 
Pasque Flower Pulsatilla vulgaris 9"-12" In early spring, Pasque Flower plants produce large, 3"-4", violet purple, pink or sometimes white flowers with bold, contrasting yellow centers which, as they begin to fade, are followed by finely dissected, silvery green, fern-like foliage.
4-8 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Some or all parts of this plant may be toxic or poisonousNo Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
A photograph is available
Pincushion Flower Scabiosa columnaria 1-2 ft. The Pincushion Flower is a long blooming, clump forming perennial. From early summer until the first frost of fall, Pincushion Flowers produce an abundance of rounded, 1½" flowerheads on top of wirey, 12"-24" stems. 4-8 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Butterfly FlowerBird Plant or FlowerNo Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantblue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
Scabiosa columbaria
Privet Ligustrum vulgare 4-15 ft. Privet is a densely growing deciduous shrub with small light green, mottled or golden foliage. It produces clusters of fragrant white flowers all summer. Can be pruned into elaborate shapes
Attracts: Spring Azure, Painted Ladies, Red-spotted Purple
1-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Butterfly FlowerSome or all parts of this plant may be toxic or poisonous
White flowering plant
 
Purple Mullein Verbascum phoeniceum 2-4 ft. Dark green rosette, purple or pink flowers form on low spikes in the Summer 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantPink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Purple Toadflax Linaria purpurea 3 ft. Grey/green foliage with spikes of small violet colored, Snapdragon-like flowers in the Summer 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Pink flowering plant
 
Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus 4-5 ft. Rabbitbrush is best known for it's intensely yellow colored flowers which bloom from August through October. 4-6 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental watering
Butterfly Flower
Yellow flowering plant
A photograph is available
Saxifrage Saxifraga bronchialis 8" Saxifrage is an evergreen perennial that forms cushions of moss-like fine foliage and produces pretty, cream colored flowers spotted with red or pink all Spring 4-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
 
Siberian Bugloss Brunnera macrophylla 15-24" 10" tall and 20" wide mounds of light green, heart shaped leaves, with clusters of tiny violet-blue 'forget-me-not' flowers on wirey stems in late spring 3-7 This plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the day This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
blue flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Soapwort Saponaria ocymoides 4" Forms thick mat of ground covering, fine foliage; hundreds of small pink to red flowers cover the plant in early Spring 4-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Pink flowering plantPurple flowering plant
 
Stonecress Aethionema armenum 6" Low growing shrubby evergreen, with long lasting bright rose-pink flowers 6-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Pink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus 6-12" Sweet William is a clump forming, deciduous biennial that prefers alkaline soil and dislikes heat. They produce a steady supply of fragrant, showy flowers from late spring to late summer, sometimes extending right up until the first frost. This is a Biennial Plant This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
No Deer
White flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plant
A photograph is available
Whitlow grass Draba aizoides 4" Small rosette of tiny grey or greel leaves; bright yellow flowers in late Spring 5-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
White flowering plantYellow flowering plant
 
Woolley Thyme Thymus pseudolanuginosus 1" Spreading mat of tiny, hairy, light green foliage; covered by tiny pink flowers in mid Summer. Several aromatic Thymes are also available. 3-9 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering
Yellow flowering plant
 
Yellow Corydalis Corydalis lutea 12-15" Corydalis lutea is a short lived perennial wildflower that is very easy to grow and care for. They grow 12"-15" tall and gradually form 24" diameter mounds of light greyish-green, fern like foliage. Sprays of bright yellow, 1" tubular flowers begin to appear in early May and will continue until the first frosts of Fall. 6-10 This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditionsThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions
Hummingbird Plant
Yellow flowering plant
A photograph is available


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