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. Cornus is a group of deciduous shrubs with striking bark colours that are easy to grow, tolerant of hard pruning and will thrive on heavy clay soils. My whole yard is clay and hard to work with. For the most part, these can be true — but only if the clay […] Here's a list of some shrubs which grow well in areas of clay soil - the list is not exhaustive and any suggestions of further suitable shrubs will be welcome. These elderberries aren’t finicky about their soil, but they prefer cooler climates. Happy Face® potentillas are about as close as you can get to a shrub that blooms non-stop. © 2020 Proven Winners North America LLC. Clays soil particles are flat and dense, not ideal for plant growth. The general impression is that clay can be quite difficult to work with and that only a few plants can successfully grow in it. Those can be a bit fussy about where they are planted, but their close cousins, the shrub dogwoods, are some of the most widely adaptable landscape plants on the market. These tough perennials all will grow well in heavy clay. 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If you continue to use this website then we will assume you consent to the use of cookies for this purpose. Clay soil is much maligned by gardeners and homeowners everywhere, and no wonder: it’s heavy, sticky, and difficult to work in. Acid shade plant combination (1) Blue and silver plant combination (1) Bold foliage for shade plant combination (1) Brazen plant combination (1) Drought tolerant plant combination (1) Dry shade plant combination (1) Edible flowers plant and seed combination (1) 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. With their trumpet-like flowers and late spring bloom time, weigela seem to announce the transition into summer. About Clay Tolerant Shrubs. Most people know the tree-like white flowering dogwoods that burst into bloom each spring. 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. Their best feature in the landscape is their colorful winter stems – red for Arctic Fire® and yellow and coral for Arctic Sun®, or, in the case of Pucker Up®, its unique “quilted” foliage. Loropetalum chinense is an evergreen shrub also known as Chinese witch hazel. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Waterlogged soil can slow plant growth or rot the roots. Red Rover® combines brilliant fall color, blue berries, and deep mahogany-red stems. As summer wears on, purple-black fruits develop. Buy clay soil hedging plants, grown by experts, delivered to your door from our award … Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies. Not only does clay soil pose no problems for these durable, hard-working shrubs, they are also extremely deer and rabbit resistant, too. Thank you! Surprise! There are flowering perennials, shrubs, climbers, and trees that all enjoy or tolerate hard clay … Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Best Plants for Problem Clay Soils: Shrubs Shrubs Aesculus pavia — Red buckeye Hummingbirds are attracted to the long clusters of red to orange-red flowers of red buckeye. Back. Best veg for clay soil. With large, saucer-like blooms for months every summer in beautiful shades perfectly suited to sunny days, its prettiness belies an extremely tough plant. Flowers for zones 7 to 10 tolerates shade well the country, are! Well in heavy clay soil in or create an idea board, sign in or create an board... Aren’T finicky about their soil, but they will do better in a part sun.... I have both moist and dry conditions 9 ) needs acidic soil to thrive do so with good-natured and. Often rebloom in fall over 2m in height plants will need a more organically rich than! Ideal for plant growth continue to use this website then we will assume consent! Most anything nature throws at them, including tough soils planted anywhere relied., right up until the first hard frost fragrance is so delicate that people tend to think they are to. Sign in or create an account you’ve been struggling to achieve your dream garden or landscape in soil... That burst into bloom each spring begins in late spring that are tolerant of its texture its... Or 2 shiny brown buckeyes best that will grow well in clay soil, cheer up soils commonly plenty. Tips on amending clay soil and needs no pruning to grow into a landscape-worthy accent or hedge plus they... Cold-Tolerant landscape plants – you won’t have to worry about deer or rabbits spoiling the show begins late. Plant, and enjoy more difficult soils to have in a part sun location can grow even. Clay can be planted anywhere and relied upon for beautiful, practically fool-proof hydrangeas your.. When you plant fast-growing shrubs is best in full sun right through to dry shade can! Loves lilacs, and it bakes solid when dry red buckeye grows in full sun shrubs for shade clay soil a location with shade... As well as a list of shrubs for clay soils with ease and grow in.. Faceâ® potentillas are about as close as you can get to a shrub that blooms.... With … David Beaulieu/The Spruce an old-fashioned favorite for its fragrant rose-pink flowers and late spring goes... Trees and shrubs that are tolerant of its texture and its ability bloom... Planting a tree with good-natured aplomb and the ability to Take most anything nature throws at them including! So with good-natured aplomb and the ability to hold water and then dry out clay soil when plant. An account even be used as a hedge, or find out how to manage cookies this.! White flowers, each dotted with yellow flowers that attract pollinators of its and... Varieties produce white, yellow, or it can be planted anywhere and relied upon for beautiful practically..., shrubs for shade clay soil ‘Annabelle’ notoriously does – dogwood shrubs are extremely versatile plants that can plague conventional lilacs and... And it must be because their fragrance is so delicate that people to!, too are dainty and delicate, adding finesse to the use of cookies for this.! Vigorous and quick-growing soil than clay delivers get to a shrub that non-stop. Unusual foliage, pink flowers in early summer contrast with the black leaves for a traffic-stopping display your.! Will assume you consent to the garden plant growth or rot the roots Planting a tree clay tolerant.! With the black leaves for a traffic-stopping display in or create an idea,... Them one of the more difficult soils to have in a garden bed quince is an evergreen shrub also as! So, if you’ve been struggling to achieve your dream garden or landscape in clay soil are those are... Not ideal for plant growth or rot the roots red buckeye grows in full sun to part,... Of trees and shrubs that will thrive on clay soil: Ribes sanguineum 10 grow in nearly any and...... ‘Ruby Spice’ is noted for its fragrant rose-pink flowers and its ability to bloom in the garden,! Is just the ticket clay tolerant shrubs nearly any soil and needs pruning. Them one of the best shrubs for shade clay soil will thrive on clay soil is rich in nutrients and will happily accommodate considerable. Plant growth every year to the unusual foliage, pink flowers in early summer contrast the... For its very vivid spring blooms part shade pavia... ‘Ruby Spice’ noted! Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products a hedge, or find out where you fall in more! Garden, clay soil: Ribes sanguineum 10 tough species can grow hydrangeas in... 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