Cultivating plants in calcareous soil requires some precautions because some of them fear it. A judicious choice, adapted to this type of soil should avoid many disappointments.
How to recognize a calcareous soil?
A calcareous soil contains a high proportion of calcium carbonate. The soil then takes on a light, chalky color; it is light, often stony and rather poor. In summer this type of soil dries out very quickly because it is permeable. Numerous cracks can then appear.
A clue to recognize a calcareous soil: poppies and white clover grow spontaneously.
Limestone blocks the assimilation of iron and certain other nutrients that plants will no longer be able to access. Some so-called 'calcifuges' will not tolerate it and will soon be affected by chlorosis, whose main symptom is a yellowing of the leaves around the veins.
How to improve a calcareous soil?
Adding cattle manure and growing green manure on this type of soil tends to improve it, but you will not be able to plant plants with a marked preference for acidic soils, such as heather soil plants for example.
Which plants are suitable for calcareous soil?
The worries linked to a calcareous soil are not a fatality and many plants will still be able to develop there.
In bedding plants, plant buddleias, lilacs or seringats which will attract pollinating insects. Forsythia and spirea also tolerate this type of soil very well. In larger gardens where the presence of trees is a possibility, plant a poplar, a linden, a Florence cypress, a hornbeam, a birch or a Judean tree that is always resplendent when it is covered with its pink flowers in the spring. Good news for olive tree lovers, these trees are particularly well adapted to a soil with a tendency to limestone!
For rockeries, think of yuccas, agaves, sedums, bellflowers and ornamental garlic. In flower beds, bergenia, perennial geraniums, but also carnations, columbines, anemones, acanthus or night beauties will perfectly support the particularities of this soil. Peonies, hearts of Mary and primroses will add charm to the decor with their pastel or very bright shades depending on the variety.
As for the vegetables, you will be able to consider growing carrots, eggplants, cabbages, melons and tomatoes without any worries.
As for the vine, it will enjoy in calcareous soil, as will the hazelnut, plum and walnut trees.
As you can see, there are many options to create an opulent garden in spite of the limestone, so don't hesitate: plant!
