What are good plants for clay soil? What is clay soil? If you’ve been wondering if you have clay soil, let me help you figure that out. We’ll go through everything there is to know about this kind of soil and what plants will grow well in it on your own homestead.
Everything You Need to Know About Clay Soil
If you’ve been working in your garden, you probably know by now that there are different kinds of soil. The kind almost every gardener dreads is clay soil or heavy soil. I’ve recently decided to make a garden out of my backyard since it has been bare for quite some time. I’ve only done my front yard and thought that it was time to give the backyard some well deserved greenery. To my surprise, a huge chunk of it seems to consist of clay soil. I know it’s not perfect but what should I do? I didn’t want to leave it like that since I already have big plans on how it should look. So I did what any homesteader would do, deal with it.
What is Clay Soil?
Clay soil is more commonly know as heavy soil. You’d be lucky if it’s buried a foot below your top soil but it it’s just a few inches, then you may have a problem with your garden. In definition, it’s the kind of soil that has more clay minerals in it. Why does it pose a problem in gardening? It’s because since it’s very dense, water has a hard time passing through, it has poor oxygen content, the roots will have a hard time going through it and pretty much, it has some components that are just not good for plants.
All of these may sound like a real problem but luckily, there are some plants that does well with this soil. So even if you do have heavy soil in your want-to-be-garden, there’s still hope.
Are you looking for ways to amend clay soil? Click here.
Plants for Clay Soil
Who says you can’t have a lovely flower garden with clay. Here are some colorful perennial flowers that beg to differ.
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Daylily
Known to be a favorite of gardeners for their beautiful flowers.
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Flax
A beautiful flowering plant that has many uses.
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Columbine
Also known as Granny’s bonnet due to it’s unique shape.
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Elder
If you want something white and delicate growing in your garden, this is it.
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Floxgloves
This perennial plant will create drama and elegance to any garden.
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Black-eyed Susan
A plant that attracts butterflies, a must have in any garden.
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Purple Cornflower
A great plant for clay soil since it thrives in either moist or dry land once established.
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Aster
Brighten your garden by planting this beautiful plant.
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Thalictrum
Don’t be deceived, those pretty and colorful flowers don’t have petals, they’re just really long stamens.
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Geranium
An easy-to-grow plant that will look great as borders, ground cover or in rock gardens.
These lovely flowers should be enough to make your garden look stunning. But if you still want to plant something else, there’s still hope for clay soil.
Want to Know How to Amend Clay Soil?
You can amend your clay soil on the homestead for a healthier happier garden. Click here to learn how.
