I have sandy soil. Are there any plants that do well in these conditions?

Look for drought-tolerant plants. You'll need to water them several times a week to get them established. Once they're well-rooted, they'll tolerate the dry growing conditions associated with sandy soil. For sunny areas, try some of the following annuals: sunflower, zinnia, blanket flower, cosmos, cockscomb, gazania (treasure flower), portulaca, dusty miller, dahlberg daisy, verbena and Mexican sunflower.

If you prefer perennials, try these sun-lovers: purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, gayfeather, thyme, artemesia, perennial sunflower, yucca, sedum, Russian sage, potentilla and ornamental grasses. It's harder to find shade plants that will tolerate dry soil. But you can try perennials like deadnettle (Lamium), variegated archangel (Lamiastrum), lily-of-the-valley and coral bells. Annuals such as periwinkle and the bienniel Chinese foreget-me-nots will also grow in dry, partially shaded locations.

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