Plants That Flourish in Heavy Clay Soil
Top Picks for Clay Soil: Uncover the Ideal Shrubs and Bloomers Perfect for this Soil Test
Ready to turn that seemingly-unyielding clay soil into a lush and vibrant garden? Here's a list of the best plants that'll thrive in dense, moist, and sometimes compacted ground. These plants fare well in clay due to their strong root systems, which push through and cope with the soil's characteristic challenge.
1. Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
A garden staple, lady's mantle, is adored by both gardeners and florists. This versatile perennial adds structure and color to any border, with minimal care required. It grows wonderfully in heavy soil, making it an excellent choice for filling sparse flower beds and preventing weed growth.
- Where to buy: Find them at Sarah Raven (from £6.48) or Thompson & Morgan (from £9.99).
2. Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Despite the generous loamy soil at Raby Castle, the author's garden is heavy clay. Unable to grow fashionable Mediterranean plants there, dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) thrives instead, even taking root in the pond.
- Where to buy: Purchase at Crocus (from £9.99) or Gardening Express (£16.99).
3. Cotoneaster
Hardy shrubs such as Cotoneaster are ideal choices for clay soil, particularly in sunny spots. Their robust root systems help them break through clay and withstand its moisture-retention properties.
- Where to buy: Find them at Gardening Express (£9.95) or Dobies (from £4).
4. Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
A tall, elegant perennial, Culver's root adds life and elegance to the back of garden borders. It attracts pollinators and is an excellent pick for wildlife garden ideas.
- Where to buy: Get them at Crocus (from £12.99) or J. Parker's (from £8.99).
5. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Looking for plants that cater to our pollinator friends? Bee balm, or bergamot, is an excellent choice for heavy clay soil. This perennial blooms beautifully during summer, especially in wetter northern climates.
- Where to buy: Buy them at Thompson & Morgan (from £9.99) or Crocus (from £9.99).
6. Camassias
Camassias produce striking star-shaped flowers in shades of lilac and blue. They enjoy the damp conditions of heavy clay soil, particularly when grown alongside Deschampsia cespitosa in a walled garden.
- Where to buy: Get camassia bulbs at Sarah Raven (from £4.95).
The home-and-garden lifestyle offers opportunities to transform a heavy clay soil garden into a thriving oasis of different plants. Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis), a versatile perennial, is an excellent choice for filling sparse flower beds, as it grows wonderfully in heavy soil. On the other hand, the hardy shrub Cotoneaster is ideal for clay soil, particularly in sunny spots, due to its robust root system.
