Just like people, plants have preferences, and different species prefer different conditions. They can either thrive or suffer depending upon the prevailing environment. Two factors in particular can have a significant effect on plant growth and vitality - soil and moisture.

The table below is a much simplified guide to selecting suitable plant species for the prevailing conditions in your garden. There are four major soil types: Sandy, Clay, Loam and Chalk, and three typical environments: Wet, Exposed and Shaded.

A tick in the appropriate box signifies suitability or tolerance, and two ticks is especially well suited. A blank space suggests neither tolerance nor intolerance, while a cross denotes unsuitability or intolerance.

Soil Preference Tolerance

Species / Latin Name   Acer campestre Acer platanoides Acer pseudoplatanus Alnus cordata Alnus glutinosa Alnus incana Betula alba Carpinus betulus Castanea sativa Cornus sanguinea Corylus avellana Crataegus monogyna Fagus sylvatica Fraxinus excelsior Euonymus europeaus Ilex aquifolium Ligustrum ovalifolium Ligustrum vulgare Malus sylvestris Populus canescens Populus tremula Prunus avium Prunus myrobalana Prunus spinosa Quercus robur Rhamnus cathartica Rhamnus frangula Rosa canina Salix alba Sorbus aucuparia Sorbus torminalis Taxus baccata Tilia cordata Tilia platyphyllos Viburnum lantana Viburnum opulus

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