Clay soils bring many gardeners out in a cold sweat. They have a reputation as back-breaking and impossible to work with. But the truth is that it can be truly brilliant in a garden.
They keep a lot of water and are full of nutrients, which are two things plants need to grow well. In fact, many plants thrive in these conditions.
This is my guide to clay soils, with tips on how to make them better and a list of the best plants for full sun and partial shade.
If you have heavy, compacted clay soil that gets little sunlight, you may feel limited in what you can grow. However, with some strategic plant selections, you can create a beautiful garden oasis even in dense shade and difficult clay earth. The key is choosing plants that can tolerate both wetness and potential drying.
In this article, I’ll recommend 10 of the best plants for clay soil in shady areas. You’ll find gorgeous flowers, striking foliage, and versatile groundcovers that will flourish in those problematically damp and dense spots.
Why Clay Soil is Challenging for Plants
Clay soil presents a couple different issues that make it difficult for many plants
-
Poor drainage – The dense particles in clay soil prevent proper drainage. Water gets trapped, leading to overly soggy conditions.
-
Compaction – Clay is easily compressed into a rock-hard mass that plant roots cannot penetrate
-
Nutrient deficiencies – Water moves so slowly through clay that roots have a hard time absorbing nutrients.
Plants that thrive in clay soil and shade must be able to handle both wetness and periods of dryness. Their root systems need to strong enough to push through compacted earth. Let’s look at 10 excellent options.
10 Great Plants for Clay and Shade
Here are my top recommendations for plants that can flourish in dense, clay soil with partial shade to full shade exposure:
1. Astilbe
With feathery, colorful plumes Astilbe provides stunning blooms in shady gardens. It thrives in moist, rich soil so it’s an ideal choice for clay. There are many varieties to choose from in shades of white pink, red, and purple.
2. Hosta
The classic hosta is a clay-tolerant shade lover. Its big, bold leaves come in diverse shapes, sizes, and variegations. Hostas spread nicely to form a lush groundcover. Be aware they are a favorite of slugs and snails.
3. Bergenia
Also called pigsqueak, bergenia offers big, round leaves that hold up beautifully to wet clay soil. In spring, pink or white flower clusters arise. Overall, it has excellent tolerance for difficult growing conditions.
4. Goatsbeard
Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) handles poor drainage well thanks to its preference for boggy soil. This herbaceous perennial boasts lovely plumes of tiny white blooms that resemble goat’s beard.
5. Cardinal Flower
With bright red blooms, cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a showstopper. It thrives along pond edges and stream banks so it can certainly take moisture. Part shade suits it best.
6. Lungwort
Lungworts feature silver-spotted foliage and clusters of blue blooms in spring. Their spreading growth habit makes a nice groundcover for clay soil sites. Just beware, they can spread aggressively.
7. Japanese Iris
These bearded irises come in various shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. They prefer consistently moist soil, so they’re a great way to bring color to soggy spots.
8. Turtlehead
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) offers unique hooded flowers late in the season. Though it prefers consistent moisture, it is quite drought tolerant once established.
9. Ligularia
Ligularia is prized for its large, glossy foliage. Some varieties add spikes of yellow daisy-like blooms. This bold plant thrives in perpetually damp clay earth.
10. Rodgersia
Rodgersia boast big, rounded leaves that resemble hostas. Clusters of small white or pink flowers stand above the foliage. Overall, a great structural plant for moist, shady locations.
More Tips for Growing in Wet Clay Soil
Here are a few more pointers to help your plants thrive in dense, damp clay earth:
-
Improve drainage by mixing in organic matter like compost each season.
-
Consider creating raised beds to allow better drainage and prevent compaction.
-
Mulch well to insulate plant roots and prevent drying out.
-
Water carefully, only when the top few inches become dry.
-
Fertilize regularly to replenish nutrients that leach away in wet soil.
-
Group plants together to help shade roots and retain moisture in dry periods.
Adapting Shade Gardens for Clay Soil Success
With some adaptive strategies, you can have a thriving shade garden in clay soil:
-
Stick with shade-tolerant plants only, even if the area gets a few hours of filtered sunlight.
-
Space plants farther apart to account for vigorous growers that tend to spread.
-
Install drainage pipes or gravel trenches if drainage is severely poor.
-
Use a shade-tolerant grass or no-mow fescue as a lawn alternative.
-
Mulch heavily each year with compost or shredded leaves to enrich and lighten the soil.
Enjoy Your Shady Oasis in Clay Soil
Don’t let dense clay soil and shade limit your garden dreams! With the right plant choices, you can design a beautiful shaded retreat. I hope these recommendations provide some inspiration for plants that can bring color, texture, and charm to problematically damp, dark locations.
Experiment with a few of these shade-loving, clay-tolerating plants to create your own woodland-style sanctuary. With the proper care, these plants will thrive and transform an inhospitable spot into a welcoming oasis.
How to improve your clay soil
Almost all clay soils can be improved over time. But the most important problem to tackle is bad drainage, especially when it is causing standing water.
Trees for clay soil
Many native British trees are suited to clay soils, including oak, ash and elder. Fruit trees like apple and pear will also grow well in clay, but soft fruit bushes may struggle.
You can grow for height: Birch, Eucalyptus
For decoration: Sorbus, Hawthorn, Magnolia, Amelanchier
For privacy: Pine, Thuja, Juniper, Chamaecyparis
40 Perennial Plants for CLAY Soil in the Garden
FAQ
What kind of plants grow well in clay soil?
What are the best shrubs for clay soil?
Will Creeping Phlox grow in clay soil?
Do hydrangeas do well in clay soil?
Can you put clay tolerant shade plants in poor soil?
You can put some clay tolerant shade plants into poor soil, but you usually can’t expect good results for the long term. In some cases, even the short-term specimens will need some sun. Until you get the soil amended, it might be best to stick with annual plants and a few tough perennials.
Which plants do well in shade and clay soil?
Here are a few examples of plants that do well in shade and clay soil: Hostas: Hostas are versatile and popular hardy perennials that offer a wide range of benefits in the garden. One of their standout features is their ability to thrive in shade. While many plants struggle in low-light conditions, hostas actually prefer them.
Are clay soils good for a garden?
Clay soils bring many gardeners out in a cold sweat. They have a reputation as back-breaking and impossible to work with. But the truth is that it can be truly brilliant in a garden. They are rich in nutrients and retain plenty of moisture – two important things that plants need to grow well. In fact, many plants thrive in these conditions.
Can plants grow in clay soil?
Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion. Some plants tolerate clay soil and help break up and improve its texture and drainage. Although you’ll still need to meet other growing requirements, including sun exposure and USDA hardiness zones, here are 25 plants that grow in clay soil. (Full sun plants are listed first.)
