Choosing Plants for Clay Soil: Perennials and ClimbersWhen choosing plants for clay soil you need to select species and varieties that can cope with these cold, heavy soils.
To start you off we've put together some ideas for perennials and climbers that are either adapted to, or at least tolerant of, clay soil and will brighten up your garden. For ideas on choosing trees and shrubs for clay soil go to Choosing Plants for Clay Soil: Trees and Shrubs. Don't forget that, if you wish, you can extend the range of plants you can grow by improving or amending your soil in selected areas.
Plants for Clay Soil: Perennials Form: perennial Foliage: evergreen Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 4 to 8 Soil: reliably moist but well drained soil; tolerates clay Situation: partial shade Height: up to 1m (3ft) Spread: 45cm (18in) Awards: RHS AGM
Reasons to grow: More subtle than many cultivated foxgloves, it produces spikes of pale yellow flowers from early to mid summer and looks really good in a naturalistic style planting scheme. Although it tends to be short lived it self seeds freely so deadhead after flowering if you want to avoid this.  Form: herbaceous perennial Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 5 to 8 Soil: grows on clay and heavy silt soil but tolerates most types of soil Situation: sun or shade Height: 60-120cm (2-4ft) Spread: 60cm (2ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Brilliant magenta flowers with contrasting dark eyes are produced throughout the summer on tall clumps of delicately cut, bright green foliage which turns red in spring and autumn. One of the best plants for clay soil. Also consider: Geranium renardii is smaller (height and spread 30cm/1ft) with delightful greyish olive green leaves and exquisitely veined pale lilac blue flowers.  Form: clump-forming herbaceous perennial Foliage: evergreen Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 3 to 9 Soil: reliably moist but well drained fertile soil; tolerates clay Situation: sun Height: 30cm (12in) Spread: 45cm (18in) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: In summer a long succession of showy yellow flowers, each lasting only for a day, appear above the evergreen strap-like leaves. This dwarf form is particularly useful in smaller gardens and does well in containers.  Form: herbaceous perennial Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 3 to 8 Soil: grows on reliably moist soil including clay and silt Situation: partial shade, tolerates sun where soil remains moist Height: up to 1.2m (4ft) Spread: 90cm (3ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Long lasting, drooping clusters of scented yellow flowers borne high above basal rosettes of long oval leaves. Naturalises well. Also consider: The smaller (60x60cm, 2x2ft) Primula bulleyana (Candelabra Primrose) for tiered clusters of flowers fading from crimson to orange.  Form: herbaceous perennial Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 4 to 9 Soil: grows on moist soil including clay and silt Situation: sun or partial shade Height: 60cm (24in) Spread: 45cm (18in) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: A real gem amongst plants for clay soil, this cheerful Black-Eyed Susan bears masses of bright golden daisy like flowers, with contrasting dark brown central cones, from late summer to autumn. Excellent for cut flowers. Also consider: Rudbeckia 'Goldquelle' (90x45cm, 36x18in) for large, fully double, lemon yellow flowers. Plants for Clay Soil: Climbers Form: twining climber Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 4 to 9 Soil: tolerant of heavy clay and silt soils Situation: sunny position but with a cool shady root run Height: 5m (15ft) Spread: 2m (6ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: One of the best plants for clay soil, this clematis has attractive foliage and bears abundant rich purple flowers with red anthers from June to October.  Form: self clinging climber Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 4 to 9 Soil: moist fertile soil; tolerates clay Situation: sun or shade, will grow on a north facing wall Height: up to 15m (50ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Fresh green serrated leaves in spring followed by heads of beautiful white lace cap flowers in summer. The peeling bark of older stems gives winter interest. Undemanding and easy to grow, it is really useful against a north facing wall. Need More Information?You can find information and advice about garden soil, including links to other soil-related pages, at Healthy Garden Soil. |
Top Summer Gardening Tips"Summer is a glorious time of year in the garden so check out our essential summer gardening tips and make the most of your backyard.To make things easier, we asked an expert gardener to pick out the most important seasonal tasks - the ones that deliver the most benefit for the least amount of effort!"
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