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Contrary to the belief that the only way to get anything to grow on clay soil is to build a raised bed and fill it with good soil, there are a good number of plants for clay soil. With some planning, it is possible to have a vibrant landscape in clay soil without the copious amounts of digging and additives prescribed by some gardening resources. Plants for clay soil include many perennials, shrubs and trees. Some plants, as a species, are clay compatible while others have a variety or two that will do well. Educating yourself about what plants that do well in clay and your area before you make any purchases is a wise move.
Soil is made up of fine, mid-sized and larger mineral particles. Sand is the largest, the mid-sized are called silt, and clay is the smallest of soil particles. When water is added to soil with a high clay content the fine clay particles stick together to become a wet heavy mass with very few air spaces. These qualities make clay a poor host to the majority of plants. Plants for clay soil must have root systems that do not rot in the dampness and require less oxygen.
Perennials are favorites with many gardeners because they come back for several years once planted. Considering how difficult working in clay soil can be, it is especially gratifying that there are so many perennial plants for clay soil. Monarda, hollyhocks, anemones, ladies mantel and monkshead actually thrive in clay soils. The daisy-type flowers that excel in clay are asters and helenium daisies. Daylilies do well too.
Trees listed as good plants for clay include white alder, bigleaf maple, hawthorne, hazelnut, coast and canyon live oak, valley oak, douglas fir, coast redwood, coulter pine, bishop pine, monterey pine and gray pine. The list of shrubs is even longer! Taking the time to research the species of the tree or shrub you think you would like to plant in a clay based soil can save you work, disappointment and money.
A little extra care needs to be taken when selecting some plants for clay soil in certain plant species. For example, coreopsis verticillata will do great but all other coreopsis varieties will fail. Rudbeckia species herbstonne and goldstrum, as well as the biennial forms, are great plants for clay soil. Of the iris family only the flag iris can be planted in clay and not rot. When shopping for plants for clay soil having the full scientific name of the plant you are looking is very useful. Your local nursery staff can give you additional input on details about the specific clay composition in your area and native plants that have proven good plants for clay soil.
Plants for clay soil exist in all categories of plants but a little extra effort needs to be made to get the specific varieties that will thrive without you having to dig into anything other than your pocketbook.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about Soil and Fertilizer Management and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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