Soil First, Plants Second: Why Soil Type & Soil Texture Matter In Garden Design

Soil is the foundation of every garden. It more or less dictates whether every plant thrives or not. Whilst most eyes focus on blooms, borders and beautiful layouts, it’s the soil underneath that plays the most critical role in long-term success of your garden.

We can’t overstate the importance of soil compatibility.

That’s why, in this blog, we’ll explore why soil matters more than you think, how to understand what type of soil you’re working with and how to use that knowledge to make smarter planting choices.

Why Soil Type Matters More Than the Plants You Choose

Your soil determines what nutrients are available to your plants, how much water is retained, how easily roots can grow and even which pests or diseases may flourish in your garden. Sure, you can have the most vibrant Camellia or the sturdiest Yew, but if the soil can’t support and sustain these plants, it’s a bit like building a house on quicksand.

Understanding the type of soil you have—acidic, alkaline or neutral—can be more valuable than picking the trendiest and prettiest plants. Likewise, rather than battling against nature with composts and soil conditioners year after year, working with your soil means you will enjoy more success with less effort.

Understanding Soil pH: Acidic, Alkaline or Neutral?

One of the most crucial elements of soil is its pH level—a scale that tells you whether your soil is acidic, alkaline or somewhere in between:

Acidic Soil (pH below 7)

Acid-loving plants (or ericaceous plants) include Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Pieris. These plants need a low pH environment to absorb nutrients efficiently. If you plant these species in alkaline soil, they’ll likely suffer from yellowing leaves and poor growth. You could use ericaceous compost to support them, but it’s a short-term fix unless the overall soil condition supports their needs.

For this Rochdale secret garden, we designed all planting beds as raised beds, which allowed us to use an ericaceous compost to accommodate the needs of specific acid-loving specimen plants.

Alkaline Soil (pH above 7)

If you have alkaline soil, opt for plants like Hawthorn, Lilac, Yew and Cotoneaster. These species tend to be more tolerant of lime-rich soils and can flourish where their acid-loving counterparts fail. If your garden already features these plants and they’re thriving, it’s a strong indicator that your soil is on the alkaline side.

Neutral Soil (pH around 7)

Neutral soil gives you the most flexibility. It can often support plants from both sides of the spectrum. That said, extremes of either acid or alkaline preference might still struggle. In many UK gardens, soil tends to be slightly acidic or slightly alkaline, so knowing where yours sits on the scale could be key to the perfect planting plan.

Pro tip: You can buy an affordable pH testing kit from most garden centres or online retailers. It’s a small investment for a wealth of insight.

What Lies Beneath?: Soil Structure and Texture

In addition to pH, soil structure plays an equally important role in plant health.

The texture of your soil—whether it’s clay, sandy, chalky or peaty—affects drainage, root development and nutrient availability. Each soil type has its own pros and cons, and recognising them can help you work with nature rather than against it:

Clay Soil

One of the most common soil types in UK gardens, clay soil is heavy, slow-draining and sticky when wet, but rich in nutrients. It can become compacted and rock-hard when dry, making it tough for roots to penetrate. However, with regular additions of organic matter and a good layer of mulch, clay soil can be transformed into a productive base for planting.

It retains moisture well and can support a wide range of shrubs, perennials and trees after some improvement.

For this family garden in Bramhall, Stockport, we installed raised beds to overcome the site's primarily clay soil, which wasn't suitable for the diverse range of herbs and plants in our planting palette. This allowed us to introduce a specific soil mix sourced from Tarmac, which contained a balanced blend enriched with organic nutrients and formulated for open, free-draining consistency.

Sandy Soil

In contrast to clay soil, sandy soil is light, free-draining and tends to dry out quickly. It’s easy to work with and warms up faster in spring, but it often lacks nutrients and struggles to retain moisture. To get the most out of sandy soil, you’ll need to improve its structure with plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This helps it hold onto water and nutrients for longer, making it more supportive of plant growth.

If you have sandy soil, Mediterranean herbs, grasses and drought-tolerant species are your best bets.

In this 1.7-acre landscape design project in Alderley Edge, Cheshire East, we created a chamomile lawn as the site had a light, sandy soil—the perfect free-draining conditions for chamomile to absolutely thrive.

Chalky Soil

Chalky soil is usually pale, stony and free-draining. It’s naturally alkaline and often shallow, which means it’s less suitable for acid-loving plants. Though it can support a selection of beautiful plants adapted to lime-rich conditions, such as wallflowers, campanulas and clematis. Because of its free-draining nature, chalky soil may also require frequent watering and organic enrichment to help retain moisture during dry seasons.

Peaty Soil

Peaty soil is dark, rich in organic material and excellent at retaining water.

It’s typically acidic and can often be found in low-lying or boggy areas, ideal for growing ericaceous plants like azaleas and camellias. However, it’s important to keep an eye on drainage, because too much moisture can cause problems, particularly in prolonged wet weather.

Just like other soil types, peaty soil benefits from organic improvement and, when managed properly, can be amongst the most fertile.

How to Work With the Soil You Have

We all want the perfect soil type. Sadly, the reality is most gardens are a blend and, in many cases, a bit unpredictable—but that’s fine. Gardening isn’t always about creating perfection, it’s about adapting to what you have and learning along the way.

Here are three ways you can make the most of your soil:

1. Improve gradually. Regular mulching and adding compost can help condition most soils over time—patience is key!

2. Know your limits. If your soil is stubbornly alkaline, don’t fight it. Instead, choose plants that thrive in those conditions.

3. Use containers. Love acid-loving plants but your soil is alkaline? Grow them in pots with ericaceous compost.

Before your next planting session, take a moment to get your hands dirty, test your soil and get to know what lies beneath. Your garden will thank you for it.

Need Help Working With Your Soil Type?

We get that this might not be the most glamorous topic, but understanding your soil is one of the most empowering things you can do to help your garden thrive. Rather than treating soil as a problem to be corrected, see it as a foundation to be understood and celebrated.

Get in touch with our team for advice on designing for your garden's unique soil conditions.