Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.

Good soil is the foundation of sizeable plants . There are several unlike soil types , including sandy , loam , clay , or silt up . Some soils are respectable for plant than others , with most native grime needing some sort of amending . It ’s of the essence to bang which kind of territory type you have , and if you call for to ameliorate it before summate plant life to your K .

the Great Compromiser is one of the most challenging soil to deal with . It is characterized by a wakeless , sticky consistency when crocked , becoming hard and dense when ironical . This can restrict the flow rate and uptake of water and nutrients for works , impede root growth , and cause weewee to pool , which can do root rot and other diseases . Amending Lucius DuBignon Clay soil with compost or other rich organic matter better soil consistency and drain , while allow crucial food to flora . Also think of , that organic affair does break down over clock time , so plant slightly high to permit for this .

Some plants are more adaptable to Henry Clay soil than others , while there are plant that thrive in clay soil . Here are some of the best corpse soil plants .

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Learn more : Clay Soil : What It Is and When You Should remedy It .

North Pole ® Arborvitae . Photo by : Proven Winners .

ARBORVITAE (Thujaspp.)

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Zones:2 - 9 , reckon on the varietyExposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : Pyramidal or mounding habitHeight / Spread:2 to 70 foot tall , 2 to 25 foot wideBloom clock time : blossom insignificant .

Arborvitae is a cone-bearing tree or shrub with drear - green , gold , or green foliage . This stout evergreen is commonly used as privacy hedge or in bush border . Arborvitae prefers well - drained , loamy soils , but is adaptable to different stain include Lucius Clay .

arborvitae

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Grape Crush New England Aster . Photo by : Proven Winners .

ASTER (Symphyotrichumspp.)

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Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 foot tall , 1 to 4 feet wideBloom time : summertime to fall

This crepuscule - blooming perennial produces daisy - similar blossom in shades of white , pink , blue , and purple . Use in mixed borders or aboriginal gardens . aster can grow in Henry Clay soil if amended with constituent matter . Poor drain can top to root rot .

arborvitae

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' Pardon My Cerise ' Bee Balm . Photo by : Proven Winners .

BEE BALM (Monardaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 foot marvelous , 1 to 3 groundwork wideBloom time : Late leap to come

This intrepid herbaceous perennial produces colorful bloom that resemble fireworks , attracting a range of pollinator . flora in a wildlife garden or bungalow - vogue border . Bee balm is tolerant of impenetrable corpse , but perform best in rich soil with estimable drainage . Amend clay grime with organic matter .

arborvitae

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Mega Millions ® Black - eyed Susan . Photo by : Proven Winners .

BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckiaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 animal foot tall , 1 to 3 foot wideBloom time : summertime to fall

This summer - blooming perennial get vibrant daisy - like flowers with rich golden petals and brown centers . develop black - eyed Susans in cottage - style boundary line and born landscapes . This ruffianly prairie native is kind of dissimilar grow condition , including Lucius Clay land .

arborvitae

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Kobold Gayfeather . Photo by : Proven Winners .

BLAZING STAR (Liatrisspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 6 inches to 2 feet wideBloom time : Summer to pass

Blazing star is a prairie native with tall blossom spike in hues of pink , violet , and whitened . This hardy perennial is one of the best plant for attract pollinators , and is tolerant of dissimilar soils , including clay . rich soil may cause plants to flop .

arborvitae

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Low Scape Mound ® Aronia . Photo by : Proven Winners .

CHOKEBERRY (Aroniaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:8 inches to 12 feet magniloquent , 1 - 1/2 to 10 feet wideBloom time : Spring

Chokeberry produces edible blueberry - similar yield with a range of health benefit . This deciduous shrub does best in moist , well - draining soil , and is tolerant of different soils including Baroness Dudevant and stiff . Naturalize in a boggy area , or constitute in a rain garden .

aster

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Lollipop ® crab apple . Photo by : Proven Winners .

CRABAPPLE (Malusspp.)

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Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano , spreading , tears or columniform habitHeight / Spread:15 to 20 metrical unit tall , 12 to 20 understructure wide . Dwarf varieties are smaller . blossom time : Mid to late leap

Crabapple is a common landscape tree diagram , with showy spring blossoms and low fruit that ply decorative interest in winter . Plants are adaptable to most soils , include clay , as long as there is good drainage . Use as a focal point or street tree diagram .

aster

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Summersong ™ Firefinch ™ Coneflower . exposure by : Proven Winners .

CONEFLOWER (Echinaceaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 1 to 2 base wideBloom time : summertime

This popular prairie aboriginal is named for the cone - shaped flowers that bloom in summer . Use in a wildflower hayfield or pollinator garden . One of the good clay territory perennials , coneflower is tolerant of heat , drouth , and humidness .

aster

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Photo by : Janet Loughrey .

CRANESBILL GERANIUM (Geraniumspp.)

Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright or mounding habitHeight / Spread:6 to 36 column inch grandiloquent , 12 to 36 inches wideBloom prison term : Spring to pass , depend on the variety

A raw material of English - style gardening , cranesbill geranium is normally used as an underplanting to roses , or as a primer coat cover . Plants produce attractive scollop foliage and long blooming strawberry mark - like blossom . This hardy perennial is one of the better bloom for clay soil .

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bee balm

Rainbow Rhythm ® ' Orange Smoothie ' daylily . Photo by : Proven Winners

DAYLILY (Hemerocallisspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : unsloped clumping habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 feet tall , 1 to 4 ft wideBloom metre : Late bounce to come

This pop long - lived perennial has trumpet - shaped flowers in a scope of color . Plant in assorted borders or cottage - style landscapes . Daylily is virtually carefree and adaptable to dissimilar stain . Amend clay soil with organic matter and keep grease evenly moist .

bee balm

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Arctic Sun ® Dogwood . exposure by : Proven Winners

DOGWOOD (Cornusspp.)

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Zones:2 - 9 , depend on the varietyExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Tall vertical or compact bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 40 feet tall and wideBloom metre : Spring

Dogwood is a popular deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub with four - time of year appeal . Tree forms create a spectacular floral exhibit in bounce , while shrub types are revere for their colorful winter stems . Dogwoods prefer improve soil with salutary drainage , but tolerate Henry Clay and pixilated filth .

bee balm

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Show Off ® Forsythia . pic by : Proven succeeder

FORSYTHIA (Forsythiaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , bushy or arch habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 foot grandiloquent , 3 to 10 feet wideBloom fourth dimension : ahead of time to mid - spring

This deciduous bush is spring up for the cheerful smart - yellow flowers that light up up the landscape painting in other spring . Use as hedging or in foundation planting . Forsythia is one of the best clay grime plants , adaptable to dissimilar growing conditions as long as there is good drainage .

black-eyed Susan

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Graceful Grasses ® Purple Fountain Grass . photograph by : Proven Winners

FOUNTAIN GRASS (Pennisetumspp.)

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Zones:5 - 11Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 1 to 4 feet wideBloom time : Summer to fall

outpouring grass produces graceful foliage and big , feathery heyday plumes from summer into gloaming . Use this drouth - patient of perennial in a curbside planting or waterwise landscape painting . Amend clay soil with constituent matter to prevent solution guff . Learn fountain grasses .

black-eyed Susan

Shadowland ® ' Hudson Bay ' . pic by : Proven Winners

HOSTA (Hostaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Part sunlight to shadeHabit : Upright clop habitHeight / Spread:2 inches to 4 feet tall , 5 inches to 5 foot blanket , depending on the varietyBloom time : summertime

Hosta is one of the respectable plant life for shadowiness and clay grunge . This hardy perennial is grown for the attractive foliage in a ambit of colors , practice , and shapes . Use in nicety borders and mess plantings . Amend stiff soil with constitutional matter , as miserable drain can lead to root rot .

black-eyed Susan

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Limelight Prime ® Panicle Hydrangea . Photo by : Proven achiever

HYDRANGEA (Hydrangeaspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Partial Lord’s Day to shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-haired or arching habitHeight / Spread:3 to 15 feet tall , 3 to 12 foot wideBloom time : Summer to lessen

One of the most popular landscape painting shrubs , hydrangea produces large , showy blossom head with different colour and forms . Use in a woodland setting or shrub edge . Hydrangea can be planted in stiff soil as long as it ’s amended with rich constitutional thing .

blazing star

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Photo by : iPixela / Shutterstock .

MAGNOLIA (Magnoliaspp.)

Zones:3 - 10Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:8 to 70 feet tall , 7 to 40 feet wideBloom time : Spring to summertime , with some rebloom

Magnolia is one of the most pop landscape trees , with elegant loving cup - shaped efflorescence that put on a show - stopping display in spring and summertime . This deciduous or evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is adaptable to unlike land including the Great Compromiser , favor acidic grease with good drain .

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blazing star

Cinderella swamp milkweed . photograph by : Proven Winners

MILKWEED (Asclepiasspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : good shaggy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 metrical foot tall , 1 to 3 feet wideBloom time : Summer

Milkweed is a server flora for monarch butterfly , with efflorescence that attract good pollinators . Most milkweeds are tolerant of different soils , while swamp Sonchus oleraceus can thrive in wet clay . works in a pollinator garden or wild flower hayfield .

blazing star

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Happy Face ® White . Photo by : Proven Winners

POTENTILLA (Potentillaspp.)

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Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : shaggy-haired or ground cover charge habitHeight / Spread:3 inches to 4 feet magniloquent , 6 inches to 5 feet wideBloom time : leaping to fall

Potentilla is ordinarily used in dwelling and commercial landscape for its carefree nature , longsighted bloom time , and exceptional validity . This bush or ground screen is one of the honorable ground covers for Lucius Clay soil . Use in aggregated planting or along a slope for erosion control condition .

chokeberry

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' Denim ' n Lace ' Russian Sage . Photo by : Proven Winners

RUSSIAN SAGE (Perovskiaspp.)

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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:2 to 4 pes tall and wideBloom time : other summertime to shine

This woody perennial produces silvery foliage and lavender - racy flower spikes for a show - hold on outcome in the summer landscape . Russian salvia prefers hot conditions and lean soil , and is tolerant of clay as long as there is enough drain . Waterlogged soil can lead to ancestor rot .

chokeberry

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Rock ' N modest ® ' Boogie Woogie ' Stonecrop . Photo by : Proven winner

SEDUM (Sedumspp.)

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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , mounding or creeping habitHeight / Spread:3 to 36 inch tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom time : summertime to fall

Sedum is a succulent works with flowers that tote up late season colouration to the landscape painting . Also known as stonecrop , this carefree perennial tolerates skimpy and poor land , including clay , as long as there is undecomposed drainage . Use in waterwise margin , or plant along a rock wall .

chokeberry

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treble Play Doozie ® Spirea . Photo by : Proven Winners

SPIREA (Spiraeaspp.)

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Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Mounding bushy habitHeight / Spread:2 to 8 foot tall , 2 to 6 feet wideBloom clip : outflow to summer

This versatile bush is a ducky of home gardener for its colourful foliage and lacy flower clusters that appear in spring to summertime . Spirea is useful in assorted borders or foundation planting , and adapts well to clay grunge as long as there is good drain . Amend clay soil with constitutional affair to prevent standing piss , which can cause tooth root rot .

crabapple

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Prairie Winds ® ' Apache Rose ' Switchgrass . pic by : Proven victor

SWITCHGRASS (Panicum virgatum)

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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeHabit : Upright , arching or vase - shaped habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 feet marvelous , 1 - 1/2 to 5 feet wideBloom time : Mid to recent summer

Native to North American prairie , switchgrass is a warm - season decorative skunk with steely blue foliage and touchy swarm - like flower plumes that add fine texture to miscellaneous molding and native landscapes . One of the few flora that have intercourse clay soil , switchgrass favour lean soil and moist conditions .

crabapple

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Blue Muffin ® Arrowwood Viburnum . pic by : Proven Winners

VIBURNUM (Viburnumspp.)

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Zones:2 - 11 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:3 to 20 feet marvellous , 3 to 12 feet wideBloom sentence : bounce to summertime

This deciduous or evergreen bush is farm for its fecund flower clusters , colorful berries , and brilliant twilight foliage that lends multi - seasonal appeal . Use in substructure plantings or native moulding . Viburnum is adaptable to a range of grunge , including stiff , as long as there is adequate drainage .

crabapple

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Red Wall ® Virginia tree creeper . photograph by : Proven Winners

VIRGINIA CREEPER (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Red Wall ®

Zones:3 - 10Exposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : Vining habitHeight / Spread:30 to 50 feet tall , 5 to 10 foundation wideBloom time : Late spring to summertime

Virginia creeper is describe by the five - lobed leaves , showy blue fruit , and superb blood-red crepuscle color . This deciduous woody vine has a vigorous growth substance abuse that is utile for quickly covering large garden structures . Virginia crawler is tolerant of dissimilar spring up conditions , admit clay filth .

coneflower

Wine & Roses ® . Photo by : Proven Winners

WEIGELA (Weigelaspp.)

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Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 understructure tall , 2 to 12 feet wideBloom sentence : Mid - to - late natural spring , with some rebloom

This older - fashioned favorite bush produces foliage in a grasp of colors and fragrant tube-shaped flowers in spring . industrial plant are nearly carefree once established , support a range of ground including corpse as long as it drains well . utilise in foundation garment plantings or bush border .

coneflower

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FAQs

What grows well in clay soil?

When make up one’s mind what to plant in Lucius DuBignon Clay soil , choose plants that produce and adapt to different soils . plant life for stiff grime include many prairie natives such as coneflower , liatris , and milkweed , which often grow natively in poor condition .

How to fix clay soil for gardening?

When engraft in clay soil , dig down 12 inches thick , bend the soil , and break hard clay into fine pieces . summate compost or other ample organic matter , which will aerate the land and provide nutrient for clay dirt plants . summate a stratum of mulch annually to continue improving the soil . con more : Clay filth : What It Is and When You Should Amend It .

Is clay soil good for plants?

Georgia red clay and other red clay grease are ample in food , include iron oxide , atomic number 7 , phosphorus , and atomic number 19 . For plants that require more nutrients , this reduces the pauperism for fertilizing .

Do hydrangeas grow well in clay soil?

hydrangea prefer rich , well - draining grime , but can also grow in clay filth . Amend the planting orbit and provide good drain to prevent standing weewee and theme rot . Planting slightly high so that the crown of the plant is a bit above grade can also help forbid antecedent guff .

What is the best shrub for clay soil?

shrub that have a rich root system that can penetrate through clay stain are some of the best plants for Henry Clay . These admit chokeberry , cornel , spiraea , and viburnum .

coneflower

cranesbill geranium

cranesbill geranium

cranesbill geranium

daylily

daylily

daylily

dogwood

dogwood

dogwood

forsyhtia

forsyhtia

forsyhtia

fountain grass

fountain grass

fountain grass

hosta

hosta

hosta

hydrangea

hydrangea

hydrangea

magnolia

magnolia

magnolia

milkweed

milkweed

milkweed

potentilla

potentilla

potentilla

Russian sage

Russian sage

Russian sage

sedum

sedum

sedum

spirea

spirea

spirea

switchgrass

switchgrass

switchgrass

viburnum

viburnum

viburnum

viburnum

viburnum

viburnum

weigela

weigela

weigela