Top Ten Herbaceous Perennials For Chalky / Alkaline Soils

Below is a list of chalk (alkaline) tolerant herbaceous flowering plants that will die back each winter. As with all other herbaceous plants you will need to put some time into mulching around plants with compost to improve soil fertility as well as lock in soil moisture and keep back weed growth. Mulching is especially useful on chalky soils as they tend to be nutrient poor and free draining and mulching every couple of years will greatly improve humus level in the soil.

Many of these plants will also require lifting and dividing to encourage rejuvenated growth and flowering as well as stacking to stop taller plants from collapsing.

Click on the plant or genus name to view information, cultivation tips and pictures.