The Best Ground Cover Plants for Clay Soil

Clay soil can be challenging to garden in Its dense, compact structure prevents proper drainage and air circulation that most plants need to thrive However, with some simple amendments and the right plant selections, clay soil can be transformed into a vibrant garden oasis. In this article, we’ll explore the best ground cover plants that grow well in clay soil.

Why Use Ground Covers in Clay Soil?

Ground cover plants are low growing plants that spread to form a dense mat filling in gaps and suppressing weeds. Using ground covers in clay soil provides many benefits

• Erosion control on slopes and hills
• Weed suppression once established
• Improve moisture retention
• Create habitat and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife
• Add visual interest with flowers, foliage, and textures
• Require less maintenance than turf grass
• Gradual soil improvement as roots permeate the soil

Top Performing Ground Covers for Clay Soil

Many beautiful and versatile ground cover plants thrive in heavy clay soil. Here are some of the top recommendations:

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

• Versatile evergreen that grows in sun or shade
• Low maintenance
• Purple, blue, or white flowers in spring
• Spreads to form dense mats, up to 18 inches tall

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

• Low, carpet-like foliage and colorful spring blooms
• Grows well in full sun or light shade
• Wide color selection – white, pink, blue, purple
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

• Succulent foliage stays attractive all season
• Drought and heat tolerant
• Stonecrop sedums spread readily
• Late summer flowers are magnets for bees and butterflies

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

• Flowers in spring, delicious fruit in summer
• Spreads by runners to form lush, dense patches
• Tolerates partial shade, moist soil
• Irresistible fruit will attract birds

Deadnettle (Lamium)

• Blooms in spring with snapdragon-like flowers
• Silver, green, or yellow foliage provides great contrast
• Spreads aggressively, may require control
• Deer resistant and shade tolerant

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

• Bright gold foliage lights up the garden
• Tolerates moist soil very well
• Rapid spreader, may require pruning
• Cascades nicely over walls and containers

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

• Fragrant white spring blooms
• Makes a nice edging plant, spreads readily by rhizomes and self-seeding
• Shade tolerant, grows 6-12 inches tall
• Foliage has a sweet hay scent when dried

Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

• Tufts of grass-like foliage, white summer flowers
• Grows just 2-6 inches tall, spreads slowly
• Tolerant of foot traffic, nice by patios and walkways
• Shade loving and deer resistant

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

• Aromatic foliage releases scent when stepped on
• Low growing, hugging the ground
• Flowers attract bees and butterflies
• Varieties offer pink, white, or purple blooms

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

• Fast spreader with beautiful blue flower spikes
• Grows 4-8 inches tall
• Tolerates light foot traffic
• Does well in shade and moist soil

Designing With Ground Covers in Clay Soil

When selecting ground covers, consider the growing conditions of the site and how fast you want the area to fill in. For quickest coverage in sun or shade, periwinkle, creeping Jenny, or ajuga are hard to beat. Mixing in some evergreen sedums or thymes provides winter interest.

Use taller ground covers like wild strawberry and lamiums along borders and beds. Lower growers like phlox and thyme make excellent lawn substitutes and pathways. To prevent vigorous spreaders like mint or ajuga from taking over, use physical borders like sidewalks or mulch edges to contain them.

Combining multiple ground cover plants creates beautiful, lush patterns. Contrasting foliage colors and textures keeps things visually interesting. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Preparing Clay Soil for Ground Covers

Compacted clay soil needs help to get ground covers established. Here are some useful tips:

• Loosen the top 6-12 inches of soil with a garden fork before planting
• Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic material to improve drainage and moisture retention
• Consider planting in raised beds if drainage is severely poor
• Water new plantings daily until their roots take hold, then resume normal watering
• Apply mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
• Be patient – it may take 2-3 years for ground covers to fully establish and flourish

While challenging at first, clay soil can become an ideal medium for lush, low maintenance ground covers. The right plant choices coupled with simple soil preparation will transform problematic spots into beautiful garden features. Ground covers prevent erosion, smother weeds, and bring color, texture, and wildlife to landscapes. Get creative with your plant combinations and enjoy watching your new garden grow!