Sandy Soil

Hi I have moved to a different house by the coast and as the back garden was just a wasteland and am a long way past starting a new garden I've had stones/membrane put down. To break it up a bit I've put some containers out but I want to plant a few bushes direct in the ground to cut down going round with a watering can. The problem is the soil is nearly all sand and because of the membrane underneath the stones I don't know how to add mulch other than very close on the surface round the bush. Any ideas please on what plants will grow in these conditions without a lot of mulching? Thanks

 

Welcome. You haven't specified what coast you're near! This would have a bearing on what I would suggest.
Lavendula, caryopteris, some ceanothus, buddleia, but you could look at some of the succulents like agave with montana, striata and parryi some examples.
A problem that you could encounter is that some plants like the dry open sandy soil, but resent the salty air. Chamaerops would be a palmy option, but I'm bias as I like Mediterranean style more than cottagy

 

Flounder Thanks for your interest. I'll try ceanothus...we've had it before at the other house. Can you suggest a quick spreading low ground cover. My thought was to cut the membrane under any outgrowing tendrils and propagate them that way. We're in Southport by the way. Thanks

 

If you can keep the ground damp enough, vinca minor spreads far and wide and quickly....sometimes too quickly! Illumination has nice variegation. Soleirolia soleirolii is another one that likes moisture. Cerastium tomentosum is another thug, but does alright on drier soil. There is quite a few of the sedums that spread if you blink, but if you mix up leaf and stem colours, they make a nice carpet. Thyme, always worth a go.
Being in the tropical North West, I stand by my earlier suggestions!