A regular contributor to magazines, newspapers and BBC Radio, Andy lectures widely at home and abroad. As summer wears on, purple-black fruits develop. Updated: Jun 20, 2020. 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. To get the very most out of a lilac planting, look for Bloomerang® reblooming lilacs – they bloom alongside other lilacs in spring, but after a brief rest, bloom mid-summer through fall for more color and fragrance. Malus (crab apple) 9. It is really important to dig as large a planting hole as you can. To ensure that the effort you spend digging pays landscape dividends, look for these flowering shrubs and evergreens that happily grow and bloom in clay soils: (https://www.provenwinners.com/retailers/locate) For larger spaces choose one of the cultivars of Magnolia soulangeana, however this grows best in neutral to acid clay. These shrubs grow in heavy clay in nature, offer generous blossoms, and are practically foolproof to cultivate. The plant itself if tough, vigorous and quick-growing. Choose from reblooming types like Bloomerang ® or Scent and Sensibility ™ or double-flowered cultivars like Scentara ™. Growing wild over much of the eastern United States and Canada, diervilla is a quiet, refined shrub that does a lot in the landscape but asks very little from you. It is not easy to grow in dense soil but this list of plants for clay soil will give you a fighting chance. For the very best bark colour, remove shoots close to the ground in spring to encourage the formation of new shoots for next winter's display. Be sure to research before planting and check the sun availability in your clay soil locations. Kodiak® Black diervilla emerges in shades of deep purple black; Kodiak® Orange in shades of orange and red; and Kodiak® Red in a deep and handsome red. Fortunately, Dr. Tom Ranney from NCSU developed the Double Take™ series, which has the same super saturated flower colors but in big, doubled versions and without thorns. Whether you live in the frigid North or the steamy South, you can grow these easy-care, practically fool-proof hydrangeas. But in the more temperate regions of the country, boxwood are considered drought tolerant once established in the garden. It doesn't, however, mean you can't grow gorgeous plants anyway. Ornamental elderberries like Black Lace® and Laced Up® are so beautiful and exotic looking that it comes as a surprise to many people that they are also extremely tough. Note: These will grow in clay soil, but some do best in a part-sun spot. Get updates from our experts in your inbox. For smaller gardens Magnolia stellata is the natural choice and it performs reliably with a wonderful display of starry, shining blooms from early spring. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. For late summer flowers the hardy hibiscus are reliable, even if they are late to break into leaf at the beginning of the season. 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. Clay soil is one of the more difficult soils to have in a garden bed. Callistemon salignus, Acmena smithii and Lomandra longifolia For a plant, this means it will have to work harder for its roots to grow through the soil, compaction in the soil will exclude air from the roots, and waterlogging can cause the roots to rot and kill the plant. Whether you call it rose of Sharon or althea, everyone agrees that this old-fashioned favorite is hard to beat for easy-care summer color. Arborvitae are hardy up to USDA growing zone 3. Silphium plants are distinctive prairie plants that like the rich quality of clay soil. Happy Face® potentillas are about as close as you can get to a shrub that blooms non-stop. On heavy clay shrubs are a natural choice because major cultivation of the soil is rarely required after planting, just the removal of weeds around the plants. Evergreens can sometimes be tricky to grow. We’ve heard reports of over a month of bloom in areas as hot as Dallas, Texas, which shows how tough and durable these springtime beauties are. Mix plenty of planting compost with the soil before you replace it around the plant to acclimatise the roots to their new home. A keen gardener Andy and his wife Ros have a two acre garden in Hampshire, U.K. that is open to groups by appointment. Tyler Zey. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8. In addition to their ability to withstand challenging conditions, smooth hydrangeas like the Incrediball® series and Invincibelle® series bring all-new colors to this landscape standard. There's some beautiful flowering trees that cope admirably in clay soil, as well as trees with beautiful bark or evergreen foliage. Heavy clay soils can be hazardous to many plants. Everyone loves lilacs, and it must be because their fragrance is so delicate that people tend to think they are hard to grow. These are followed by shining purple fruits loved by pheasants, hence the common name: “Pheasant Berry”. This may change the suitability of the soil to grow different things in it, as it isn’t a full clay soil Do remember that shrubs grown on clay have great stability, the weight of the soil keeps the roots firm and the plants rarely suffer from wind-rock. This shrub will quickly establish in clay soil and can reach over 2m in height. 10 plants for clay soil: Ribes sanguineum 10. All of these do well in sun as well as shade and provide important structure on the heaviest of soils. Philadelphus species and varieties Known as mock oranges, these white-flowered, often fragrant, shrubs are very variable in size. When shrubs are established little further maintenance or cultivation is needed. Since you’ll undoubtedly come across this problem at some point in your landscaping efforts, we’ve put together a list of 12 elegant full sun shrubs that thrive in these conditions. Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a small tree that has pretty magenta blossom in springtime. They can take a bit of shade but color and flower production is best in full sun. Clay soils commonly have plenty of nutrients but problems from poor aeration and slow drainage. The semi-double double white flowers are blushed in bud, highly scented, open over many weeks and develop red hips later. The simplest way to choose is to compare young, containerized plants while they are in flower. 2m (6ft6in). Take your pick of four glorious shades: Double Take Scarlet™, Double Take Orange™, Double Take Pink™, and Double Take Peach™. Prune after flowering in summer if the plant gets too big. Previously, aronia was only available as a large shrub or small tree, but Low Scape® aronias make this versatile, durable species available to all with new, smaller habits. Get FREE Gardening tips and ideas from our experts in your inbox. For many homeowners who love working on their garden, clay soil isn’t typically met with much enthusiasm. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. When it comes to evergreens those hardy favourites come to the fore: choisya, aucuba and Viburnum tinus. Best left unpruned but rejuvenated occasionally by cutting back hard. 13 years ago. Here’s a list of 10 Good Veggies to Grow in Clay Soil. It is incredibly hardy and will even tolerate slightly alkaline conditions. In fact, smooth hydrangeas, also known as Annabelle hydrangeas, are native to North America and grow naturally in very heavy clay soils without a problem. It doesn't let water drain easily, and it bakes solid when dry. The arborvitae class of plants is made up of a few different varieties of tall, pyramid-shaped trees or shrubs with needles and cones, any of which will grow tall and strong in clay. Of the camellias, C. japonica and C. x williamsii have produced numerous named cultivars. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Special interests include hardy shrubs, trees, herbaceous perennials, flower bulbs, wildlife and garden design; he has authored books on all of these subjects. A combination of these two plants with symphoricarpus, the snowberry is ideal where gardening is impossible, on a heavy clay bank for example. I always emphasise that if you say “clay” with a smile on your face it sounds so much nicer. I do encourage gardeners to think of shrub roses just as they would any flowering shrub and to use them accordingly. Clay soil is much maligned by gardeners and homeowners everywhere, and no wonder: it’s heavy, sticky, and difficult to work in. 10 flowers for clay soil; Small trees and shrubs for heavy and clay soils; Tips for growing garlic in clay soil; Make the most of a heavy soil, with this selection of border plants. Many shrubs grow well on clay soils, especially the popular deciduous flowering shrubs: deutzia, philadelphus, weigela, forsythia and ribes for example. The show begins in late spring and goes, and goes, and goes, right up until the first hard frost. Jen . Plus, they are typically untouched by deer and rabbits. Some are even tolerant of wet soils, including the rugosa group. All summer long, all three varieties are dotted with yellow flowers that attract pollinators. Just pick your favorite colors, plant, and enjoy – you won’t have to worry about deer or rabbits spoiling the show. Image: RHS/John Trenholm Quagmires in the rainy season, concrete-hard and cracked in drought - clay soils can be very challenging to gardeners. Lilacs are actually extremely durable. Andy has over thirty years experience as a practical horticulturist and consultant. I feel rather smug about my sandy soil which is light, easy to dig and drains freely. They grow in sun or shade, in all types of soils, in wet and dry conditions, and are resistant to both deer and rabbits. The Kodiak® series of diervilla offers three vivid foliage colors to spice up even your most troublesome spots. They are also highly resistant to diseases that can plague conventional lilacs, too. For a dark red ‘Nova Zembla’ is a great choice: upright growth with deep red, weather resistant blooms. Planting in clay soils is a much different process than planting in most rich soils. Hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa), also known as Florida hop bush, is an evergreen that grows quickly in clay soil at a rate of 24 to 36 inches per growing season. However, when I see how well so many plants look growing on clay my attitude changes. Clay soils are often neutral to acid and in these conditions the hardy hybrid rhododendrons will thrive. Thank you! Malus (crab apple) Crab apples are … It fell out of favor, however, due to its prominent thorns. He has designed and advised on gardens of all sizes and was responsible for the Hillier Gold Medal winning exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower for 25 years. Rosa ‘Thomas á Becket’ Rose ‘Thomas á Becket’ Roses grow well in clay soil, and there are lots of types and colours to choose from. If you think you have these conditions, a simple solution without amending your soil would be to use these proven plants from the list below. Surprise! In fact, smooth hydrangeas, also known as Annabelle hydrangeas, are native to North America and grow naturally in very heavy clay soils without a problem. While Kodiak® diervillas may not be the most flashy shrubs you’ll ever plant, you will definitely appreciate how hard-working they are – and how much work they save you. Growing it on a clay soil means that its even lower maintenance. Mahonias also do well on clay and provide cheering winter and early spring colour. © 2021 Proven Winners North America LLC. A well known gardener said: “If you have free draining acid, sandy soil, plant rhododendrons; if you have chalk plant clematis; if you have clay move!”. Hibiscus syriacus ‘Hamabo is one of the best. R. ‘Cunningham’s White’ is an old variety with dark green foliage and the palest mauve flowers that fade to white. The emphasis is on foliage to provide colour and texture. When i see how well so many plants is to compare young, plants! 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