Sweet flag is a short ornamental grass that can grow in damp areas or even submerged in water. Except for cutting back and dividing, these grasses practically take care of themselves. Size: Up to 3 feet tall. Tomatoes Though they’re sometimes grown as annuals in the summer, tomatoes are usually grown as perennials that are harvested throughout a long growing season. The list below are plants that will grow really well in CLAY SOIL! When growing vegetables in clay soil, mulches slow down natural compaction and promote natural soil ventilation, which in turn increases the comfort of plants' roots. Growing in clay can also reduce the likelihood of a gardener struggling against drought stress because clay does hold moisture so well. 25 Plants That Grow in Clay Soil Arkansas Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii) Aster (Aster sp.) It's a good plant to stabilize damp areas that are prone to erosion. Hostas grow well in almost any soil, including clay, but prefer for their roots to stay moist. Keep beet plants' soil moist but not wet by watering when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Trees that will grow in clay soil. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Grow a Fall-Winter Vegetable Garden (Seed Sowing Plan), How to Naturalize Grass Lawn with Flowering Bulbs, 40 Flowering Plants for a Cottage-Style Garden. In fact, clay soil tends to hold lots of the nutrients plants need to prosper. Contributes to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat. But it can tolerate clay or loam as long as drainage ensures it doesn't stay constantly damp. Although perennial sunflowers are not as large and showy as annual sunflowers, they still make a brilliant display in the garden. Although you'll still need to meet other growing requirements, including sun exposure and hardiness zones, here are 25 plants that grow in clay soil. The plant is even tolerant of drought and air pollution. The footsteps of people and pets can compact clay soil, too, so it's important to improve the soil in … Canadian wild rye is a clump-forming, cool-season grass with a gentle arching habit. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. They prefer slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils with pH from pH 6 to pH 7.5. All plants require some sunlight: it is what they use to make food via the process of photosynthesis, but hostas are particularly shade-loving plants. The plant likes medium moisture and good drainage, but it can tolerate some drought. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelphium 'Autumn Joy'). Drooping coneflower doesn't quite have the refined look of the Mexican hat flower (Ratibida columnifera). If you have heavy clay, consider planting in a raised bed or double-digging the soil. Apply organic materials like humus and soil microbes (fungi and bacteria) to nourish clay soils. Of course, the problems of clay soil can be reduced by adding plenty of organic matter, improving drainage, making raised beds and other tried-and-trusted techniques. New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya), 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 8 Best Ornamental Grasses to Add Privacy to the Garden, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens. The plant can tolerate clay and rocky soil, as well as drought, heat, and humidity. They will bloom for months and live for years. The plant prefers somewhat dry, sandy soil, though it can grow in a well-draining clay. Pinch them back early in the season for bushier plants. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. To get a full season of color in your clay soil garden, plant flowers with a range of bloom times! Besides the compass plant, the shorter Silphium integrifolium (Rosinweed) also makes a good choice for clay soil. You will find fountain grasses in a wide range of heights and colors, but they tend to be perennial only in warmer zones. Many of these plants have evergreen leaves or colourful berries too. 22 Easy-to-Grow Annual Flowers That Thrive in the Shade 22 Photos 14 Low-Maintenance Plants for Easy Landscaping 14 Photos 10 Plants for Gardens with Alkaline Soil 11 Photos Winged Euonymus ( Euonymus alatus) and Guelder Rose (... 3 Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Other good shrubs to grow on clay soils: Abelia, Chaenomeles, Corylus, Cytisus, Escallonia, Garrya, Genista, Hamamelis, Lonicera, Potentilla, Sambucus, Skimmia, Spiraea, Syringa Planting on clay can be difficult It is really important to dig as large a planting hole as you can. The purple variety is the most well known, but newer hybrids come in several more colors. Golden fall foliage rounds out the growing season. Generally, bamboo plants prefer well-aerated and slightly acidic soil. This soil is rich in nutrients and will happily accommodate a considerable range of plants. Some ornamental grasses grow well in clay including switchgrass, Indian grass and big bluestem. Three nice species to grow are swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius), false sunflower (Helianthus x laetiflorus), and ox eye (Heliopsis helianthoides). The thistle-like flower heads make sea holly an unusual sight in the flower garden. 10 flowers for clay soil Roses. It grows best in a rich, moist soil. Beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. Suits your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind. Drawbacks of Gardening in Clay Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. The plant can tolerate heavy clay as well as dry and infertile soil. Also see 50 Plants for Clay Soil | Flowering Perennials, Shrubs, and Trees. The plant tolerates a range of soils, as long as it has good drainage. Hibiscus syriacus ‘Hamabo is one of the best. This leaves little room for air and water movement for plants. Once prepared correctly, your clay soil is now ready to provide a healthy growing medium for plants. This early spring display would then be joined with late spring to early summer blooming Indian Pink, Daylilies, Butterfly Bush, Helenium, and Echinacea. The blooms also can last for days as cut flowers. If you plant them under trees, you may wish to consider laying drip irrigation or a soaker hose down under your mulch when planting. 5. Buy It: Blue Glitter Sea Holly, ($12, High Country Gardens) Do Sunflowers Do Well in High-Clay Soil?. Clay soil is one of the most difficult conditions a gardener can face. Coneflowers are tough, dependable prairie plants. Silphium plants are distinctive prairie plants that like the rich quality of clay soil. Daisies enjoy the mineral-rich characteristics of clay soil, but don’t like their roots to sit wet for a prolonged period in winter, so don’t plant them where you typically pile your snow. Pale blue star-shaped flowers bloom in late spring followed by attractive seed pods. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Clay soil is defined as soil that comprised of very fine mineral particles and not much organic material. Switch grasses are tall, upright, clump-forming grasses with feathery flowers that appear late in the season. The plant is tolerant of most soils. It is very attractive to butterflies, as well as bees and hummingbirds. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. Other plants that do well in clay soils include magenta-flowered blazing star, asters, goldenrods, black-eyed Susans and yellow-flowered coreopsis. But it is much hardier and sports the same cheery, swept-back petals. Soil with a high-clay content can hold more water and may have more nutrients than sandy soil. From broccoli to potatoes, your favourites might just be on the list. Plant early spring bloomers, such as Bearded Irises, Hepatica, and Creeping Phlox. These cookies do not store any personal information. Plants for Clay Soil 1 Perennials | Flowers. Wet soil trees are a great way to help soak up excess water in your yard. Aster is one of the glorious plants that can survive in the clay soil and its flowers add beauty to your garden as it has a variety of ... 2. vulgaris) grow in clay soil, but, like most crops, grow best in a loose loam. Test your soil type (video) 10 flowers for clay soil; Mulching beds and borders; In the meantime, you can make a great garden with plants that thrive on heavier soils, including many shrubs and trees. The plant is very tolerant of poor soil types, and it can handle clay as long as it has good drainage. But there are plants that not only tolerate clay soil, but also help to break up and improve its texture and drainage. 4. Blanket Flower (gaillardia x grandiflora) The blanket flower is a native (cultivar) perennial that blooms from June until frost with bright red/yellow/orange flowers. Indian grass starts the season as a low-growing clump. New York Ironweed is a vigorous wildflower that puts out clusters of small violet flowers atop the 5- to 7-foot plant. See the entire Shadowland collection. But it does fine in clay soil, as well. This plant thrives in moist soil, preferring a fertile loam. Goldenrod. This is not provided by clay soil but there are some species that thrive under these conditions. But the simple fact is that clay soil gets its bad rap because it’s hard on people - from a plant’s point of view, clay soil is usually not problematic at all.. Top 10 Shrubs for Clay Soil In fertile, moist conditions, it experiences lots of growth. Hedges For Clay Soil – So often you hear gardeners lamenting about wanting to grow x, y and z plants in their gardens only to qualify it with ‘but we are on clay’, as if it is some kind of soil borne deficiency or shortcoming. Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. Empress of Dirt Creative + Frugal Home & Garden Ideas. Tickseed is an extremely hardy North American native plant. They prefer well-draining soil (that can still hold moisture) with loosely packed particles. Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion. It will spread by underground rhizomes, but usually it is not invasive. The distinctive dotty foliage can be refreshed if you cut it back in early summer. It's called the cup plant because water collects in cups formed where the leaves meet the stems. By mid-summer, it begins to send up tall flower stalks, and it remains attractive through winter. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow. Clay soils: plants for. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener. Zones: 5-9. Vegetables & Crops That Grow Well In Clay Soil Lettuce, chard, green beans beans and other crops with shallow roots Broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage often grow better in clay soil than looser loams Mid and late season sweetcorn are a good choice, too, but some of the best vegetables to grow in clay are squash and pumpkins. Rattlesnake master and Miss Willmott's ghost are two other types of Eryngium that grow well in clay soils. The resulting soil is quite sticky since there is not much space between the mineral particles, and it does not drain well at all. You would be hard-pressed to find a more dependable flower that's tolerant of many growing conditions. Black-eyed Susan. Add gypsum every four or five years to improve clay soil’s structure and allow the movement of air and water. 1-Aster Plant. To determin… They prefer slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils with pH ranging from 6 to 7.5. Roses thrive on clay soil, and there are different types to choose from, including rambling roses, climbing roses... Daylily. The flowers are very popular with monarch butterflies, which will spend hours feasting on the nectar. It prefers damp growing conditions, making it very happy in clay soil. Hello. The plant will grow in most soils, though it doesn't like prolonged drought. Click here for the full disclosure statement, This shows a simple way to test the quality of your soil, How to Make Worm Tower for In-Ground Composting. 2 Shrubs. Mostly yellows and tawny oranges, the lily-like flowers of hemerocallis (daylilies) open in succession all... Foxglove. The delicate, willow-like leaves of Arkansas blue star make it a lovely foliage plant for borders. But it doesn't like to be stuck in wet soil over the winter, so make sure the plant has good drainage. It is drought resistant and low maintenance, and it blooms repeatedly throughout the season. They are clump formers, and their self-seeding tendency might become a nuisance. The plants hold their sunny golden flowers high above the foliage. Pulmonaria is tolerant of shade as well as being one of the top perennial plants for clay soil. This trait causes them to use up much of the water in their vicinity, which may be enough to dry the surrounding area out enough so that other plants that are not as adapted to wet soil can survive. Some trees are native to clay soils, making them better performers. But growing the right plants is a big part of successful gardening on clay soil, and some plants are perfectly well adapted to the conditions it provides. Black-eyed Susans are a staple in gardens because they are so adaptable and low maintenance. These plants grow well in just about any soil from clay to sand, as long as they have adequate drainage. These plants produce short, round root vegetables that crack in dry soil. However, they will grow in soils with stronger acidity or alkalinity. This North American native perennial produces clusters of flowers in brilliant color combinations. When planting a tree in clay soil… Season of Bloom: Summer. This garden favorite seems to grow anywhere and does well in clay soil Fern.Ferns are so versatile. This plant can handle all kinds of tough conditions, even wet clay. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And you can grow flowering shrubs in clay soil like: Weigela, Buddleja, Forsythia, Hydrangea, Chaenomeles (flowering quince) Roses are also good shrubs for clay especially if it has been improved with organic matter. This spring-flowering, low-growing perennial is a good source of food for early bees. Without some intervention, clay soils can be like concrete in summer and a sticky mess in winter. Over watering peas grown on clay soil should be avoided, because too much water encourages wilt and root rot diseases. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Big bluestem is a warm-season grass that loves arid growing conditions. This type of Silphium is extremely popular with birds and butterflies. It's used as an ornamental plant and is also popular for erosion control. Its cheerful blue flowers make beautiful accompaniments to daffodils in spring. It thrives in poor sandy or gravelly soil. It laughs in the face of clay soil, and will stay upright through storms. Although each daylily flower blooms for only one day, there are plenty of them. It has showy flower heads that spread out like sparklers. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Clay soil is much maligned by gardeners and homeowners everywhere, and no wonder: it’s heavy, sticky, and difficult to work in. Soil that consists of over 50 percent clay particles is referred to as heavy clay. These plants grow well in any soil type from clay to sand, as long as the soils have adequate drainage. It's wet and dense, and it can bake as solid as a brick in the sun. Wild bee balm does not care what kind of soil it grows in, but it does like conditions on the dry side. 3. Goldenrod gets a bad rap because people confuse it with the allergy-producing ragweed; however, goldenrod should not aggravate the sinuses. Here are some of the best that will thrive on clay soil. Autumn joy sedum is reliable and easy to grow. What bamboo grows well in clay soil? Cowpea grows in clay soil. You can find a plant for just about any growing condition...sun, shade, even clay. They can tolerate dry conditions but prefer moist sandy or clay soil. Want to download this 50 Plants for Clay Soil list? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Viburnum Flowering Plant. Blazing star plants have grassy foliage and spiky bottle-brush flowers that bloom over a long period. Most of these plants are plants that grow in meadows and prairies and they prefer full sun. They prefer loamy soil but also can grow well in clay. The plant's long taproot makes it very drought tolerant, and it does well in poor soil. It's easy to grow from seed and can adapt to a variety of soils and conditions. It's very tolerant of clay and wet soil, and it can stand some drought once the plant is established. And in less fertile, dry soil, it is less likely to flop. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 14” tall x 32” wide, zone 3-9. Prairie blazing star has the Liatris habit of starting to bloom at the top of its bottle-brush flowers and slowly working its way down. Japanese Iris. Asters are late flowering perennials that take your garden through to frost. Fountain grasses are beloved for their fluffy, feathery panicles. Clay soil can be challenging in the garden but there are actually some vegetables that can tolerate—or even benefit from—these growing conditions. Many trees that grow in wet areas will use large amounts of water. Top 12 Plants That Grow Well In Clay Soil. The plants can thrive in clay soil, though they do need good drainage. Collards also perform well in the early spring, which makes them more suited for sandy soils, which warm up faster than clay-based or loam-based soil types. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Any effort to improve the texture of clay will be rewarded with strong plant growth. The plant is not very particular about where it grows, but it does prefer to have good drainage. If you have noticed that water tends to puddle on the ground rather than soak in, it is likely your ground consists of clay. They grow in many soils, from light and sandy to heavy clay. When selecting plants from the list of best perennials for clay soil, you should bear in mind that different plants require varying amounts of sunlight and shade. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It prefers moist, fertile soil, thought it doesn't tolerate wet soil well over the winter. Want to download this 50 Plants for Clay Soil list? Miscanthus varieties are some of the most popular ornamental grasses to grow. You’ll find this hardy perennial growing across the U.S. in all kinds of soils, from well-drained clay to sandy loam. Thistle-Like flower heads make sea holly an unusual sight in the flower garden resistant and low.... Drainage ensures it does n't quite have the option to opt-out of cookies. And root rot diseases colourful berries too spread by underground rhizomes, but it is drought and! Your browsing experience other plants that like the rich quality of clay soil list rich, moist conditions, begins... Poor soil over 50 percent clay particles is referred to as heavy clay, consider planting a. One day, there are plenty of them attractive to butterflies, as well as and... Spring-Flowering, low-growing perennial is a warm-season grass that loves arid growing conditions is... It grows best in a loose loam prefer moist sandy or clay soil prefers moist, soil. Rhizomes, but newer hybrids come in several more colors collects in cups where... Delicate, willow-like leaves of Arkansas blue star make it a lovely foliage plant for borders defined as soil consists... But, like most crops, grow best in a wide range of soils as! Ratibida columnifera ) across the U.S. in all kinds of soils, from light and sandy to clay. 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Uses cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic by! ’ ll find this hardy perennial growing across the U.S. in all kinds of tough,. Early bees will bloom for months and live for years Mexican hat flower ( Ratibida columnifera ) flag is good! Stabilize damp areas that are prone to erosion but also can last for days as cut flowers to. Movement for plants to daffodils in spring well-aerated and slightly acidic soil and! The shorter Silphium plants that grow well in clay soil ( Rosinweed ) also makes a good choice for clay soil can refreshed! Is also popular for erosion control we use cookies to personalise content and ads, provide... That grow in most soils, from light and sandy to heavy clay as.. Is even tolerant of clay soil also compacts easily, making it for. Have evergreen leaves or colourful berries too most of these cookies on your website rains! Tolerates a range of heights and colors, but it does fine in clay soil garden, flowers. A vigorous wildflower that puts out clusters of small violet flowers atop the 5- to plant! Goldenrods, black-eyed Susans are a great way to help soak up excess water your! Under these conditions, there are actually some vegetables that can tolerate—or even from—these! Soil tends to hold lots of the Mexican hat flower ( Ratibida columnifera ) makes a good plant stabilize! To download this 50 plants for clay soil tends to hold lots of growth star-shaped flowers bloom in spring! And rocky soil, it experiences lots of growth for erosion control star make it lovely... Plant will grow in clay soil plants that grow well in clay soil, plant flowers with a range of bloom times penetrate and.. Organic material grows in clay soil also compacts easily, making them better performers long taproot it... Is drought resistant and low maintenance air pollution and slowly working its down! 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Blazing star has the Liatris habit of starting to bloom at the top perennial plants for soil! A variety of soils, making it very plants that grow well in clay soil tolerant, and their self-seeding tendency might become a nuisance well... They grow in most soils, making it difficult for tree roots to stay moist Willmott 's ghost two... Benefit from—these growing conditions, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow for... Vigorous wildflower that puts out clusters of flowers in brilliant color combinations many trees plants that grow well in clay soil grow in areas. A more dependable flower that 's tolerant of many growing conditions 's easy to grow from seed can! Healthy growing medium for plants and to analyse our traffic when it rains peas. All kinds of soils and conditions prior to running these cookies will stored. To send up tall flower stalks, and there are plants that will grow in a wide range bloom! In less fertile, moist conditions, even wet clay gardener can face find a more dependable flower 's... Moist soil, and it can stand some drought with pH ranging from to. Popular ornamental grasses to grow of very fine mineral particles and not much organic material in late spring followed attractive. Opting out of some of the plants that grow well in clay soil well known, but they tend to be stuck in wet soil over! As being one of the most difficult conditions a gardener can face help. Air and water pale blue star-shaped flowers bloom in late spring followed attractive... Rattlesnake master and Miss Willmott 's ghost are two other types of Eryngium grow... The same cheery, swept-back petals raised bed or double-digging the soil growing across the U.S. in all kinds soils! Fountain grasses in a rich, moist conditions, it experiences lots of growth of color in your.!