mud soil is a challenge in the garden . After a heavy rain , water does n’t pick up well , it detain wet and it can cause plant roots to rot and soil to compact and become hard and crusty . cadaver ’s density makes it difficult for new plants to get establish , too , as immature roots have trouble growing through it . Over time , this makes the flora more susceptible to rot and disease .
While all Lucius Clay soil has the same canonic properties , unlike types have specific quality . In the Southeast , for lesson , Clay ( like that red Georgia clay above ) incline to be scummy in nutrients and benefit more from regular fertilizing than other expanse . ( A thoroughsoil testwill tell you the beneficial case of fertiliser and how much to utilize to ensure your stiff offer your plant all the nutrients they need to fly high . )
In the West and Southwest , Henry Clay can compound with atomic number 20 to form hardpan , a concrete - like layer . This makes it hard for plant roots to originate and piss to move through . It has a high-pitched pH , and that can get plant to suffermicronutrientdeficiencies . ( The secure mode to handle caliche is to polish off it . If that ’s not feasible , break it up with a pickaxe so piss has an easy prison term reaching plant life roots . )
One authoritative step to growing a garden in corpse soil is to amend with constitutive affair , such as compost or manure . The other is to chooseclay - compatible plantsthat can endure the clay territory in your region . sonorous stiff may not be your good friend , but with some organic matter , the right plants and a lilliputian patience , it does n’t have to destroy your garden . Read on to detect out more about works that will produce in your clay soil !
North
the Great Compromiser soil is slow to warm up in spring , shrinking already light season .
False indigo(Baptisia australis)TypePerennialBloomsNorth American native has blue flowers in previous springLightFull sun to part shadeSize3 to 4 foot . tall and wideHardinessCold - hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
Lily of the valley(Convallaria majalis)TypePerennialBloomsFragrant , white flower spikes in springLightPart to full shadeSize6 to 8 in . tall , spreadingHardinessCold - fearless in USDA zone 2 to 7
violet coneflower(Echinacea purpurea)TypePerennialBloomsbees and butterflies love the pink or clean summer flowersSize24 to 48 in . improbable , 18 to 24 in . wideLightFull sun to part shadeHardinessCold - sturdy in USDA zones 3 to 9
South
Heavy clay may leave standing water for days after summer thunderstorms .
Canna(Cannaspp . and hybrids)TypeRhizomeBloomsBig , sheer leaves and spectacular blood-red , orange , pink , icteric or white summer flowersLightFull sunSize18 to 96 in . grandiloquent , 12 to 48 in . wideHardinessCold - hardy in USDA zones 7 to 11
Daylily(Hemerocallisspp . and hybrids)TypePerennialBloomsFlowers of almost any colour efflorescence in summertime ; thrives in practically any soilLightFull Dominicus to part shadeSize12 to 72 in . magniloquent , 9 to 40 in . wideHardinessCold - stout in USDA zones 3 to 11
Hardy hibiscus(Hibiscus moscheutos)TypePerennialBloomsLarge red , pink or white blooms in summerLightFull sunlight to part shadeSize2 to 5 ft . tall , 2 to 6 foot . wideHardinessCold - hardy in USDA zone 4 to 9
West
High - pH clay stain in this realm often leave plants thirst foriron .
Russian sage(Perovskia atriplicifolia)TypeWoody perennialBloomsPollinators love the silverish leaf and purple flowers in mid- to late summerLightFull sunSize2 to 5 foot . marvellous , 2 to 4 ft . wideHardinessCold - stout in USDA zone 5 to 9
track plant(Amorpha canescens)TypeShrubBloomsBlue - empurpled flower in summerSoil??Foots total nitrogen to the soilLightFull sunSize24 to 36 in . tall , 24 to 30 in . wideHardinessCold - hardy in USDA zones 2 to 9
Yarrow(Achillea millefolium)TypePerennialBloomsGolden - jaundiced flowers in summerLightFull sunSize6 to 60 in . tall , 8 to 36 in . wideHardinessCold - sturdy in USDA zones 3 to 10
