Best Perennials for Clay Soil with Poor Drainage

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Robby

Good soil is the foundation of healthy plants. There are several different soil types, including sandy, loam, clay, or silt. Some soils are better for plants than others, with most native soils needing some sort of amending. It’s crucial to know which kind of soil type you have, and if you need to improve it before adding plants to your yard.

Clay is one of the most challenging soils to deal with. It is characterized by a heavy, sticky consistency when wet, becoming hard and dense when dry. This can restrict the flow and uptake of water and nutrients for plants, impede root growth, and cause water to pool, which can cause root rot and other diseases. Amending clay soil with compost or other rich organic matter improves soil consistency and drainage, while providing crucial nutrients to plants. Also remember, that organic matter does break down over time, so plant slightly high to allow for this.

Some plants are more adaptable to clay soil than others, while there are plants that thrive in clay soil. Here are some of the best clay soil plants.

Zones: 2-9, depending on the variety Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Pyramidal or mounding habit Height/Spread: 2 to 70 feet tall, 2 to 25 feet wide Bloom time: Flowers insignificant.

Arborvitae is a coniferous tree or shrub with blue-green, gold, or green foliage. This hardy evergreen is commonly used as privacy hedging or in shrub borders. Arborvitae prefers well-drained, loamy soils, but is adaptable to different soils including clay.

Zones: 3-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall

This fall-blooming perennial produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple. Use in mixed borders or native gardens. Asters can grow in clay soil if amended with organic matter. Poor drainage can lead to root rot.

Clay soils can be challenging for gardeners. The dense heavy texture causes poor drainage and makes it difficult for roots to penetrate and flourish. However with some planning and preparation, you can have a thriving garden even in dense, wet clay soils. Choosing the right plants is key. Some perennials actually prefer and thrive in heavy, moist clay, while others tolerate it well. Here are the top perennial plants to grow in clay soil with poor drainage.

How to Improve Drainage in Clay Soil

While some plants don’t mind wet clay soil, improving drainage will provide the best growing conditions for most perennials. Here are some tips:

  • Add organic matter like compost manure, leaf mold and peat moss. This will lighten the soil texture. Spread 2-3 inches over the bed and mix in.

  • Consider raised beds, These allow you to provide better soil conditions by building up from the native clay,

  • Improve drainage by installing French drains or drainage tiles.

  • Plant on mounds or berms to raise plants above standing water.

  • Use sand or small gravel as mulch to break up the soil surface.

  • Grow plants tolerant of clay soil and wet conditions.

Best Perennials for Wet Clay Soil

Iris

Bearded Iris, Siberian Iris and Japanese Iris all thrive in moist clay soils. Their sword-like foliage handles wet soils well. Plant in full sun for best flowering.

Bee Balm

Also called Monarda, bee balm is a very hardy perennial for boggy areas. It has colorful, nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators. ‘Jacob Cline’ is a top variety. Grows in full sun to part shade.

Turtlehead

A native wildflower, turtlehead (Chelone) produces unique hooded flowers in late summer. It tolerates both wet soil and some drought once established. Does well in part shade.

Obedient Plant

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a tough native perennial that handles a range of soil conditions from heavy clay to loamy soil. Grows in full sun to part shade.

Ligularia

Ligularia produces large, bold leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers. A moisture-loving plant ideal for boggy areas and pond edges. Does well in part to full shade.

Cardinal Flower

With its spikes of bright red flowers, cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) provides late summer color. A short-lived perennial that readily self-seeds inoptimal conditions. Needs constantly moist soil.

Swamp Milkweed

As its name implies, swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) thrives in wet areas with its pretty pink flower clusters. An important nectar source for Monarchs. Grows in full sun to part shade.

Water Forget-Me-Not

A delicate-looking plant with clusters of bright blue flowers, water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) grows along stream banks and other wet areas. Self-seeds freely in ideal conditions. Prefers part shade.

Golden Alexander

A lovely native wildflower, golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) produces umbels of bright yellow flowers in late spring. Does well in moist clay soils, growing in full sun to part shade.

Culver’s Root

Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) towers up to 5-6 feet tall with spikes of white flowers in mid to late summer. Tolerates clay soil as long as it doesn’t totally dry out. Does well in part shade.

Switch Grass

An ornamental native grass, switch grass (Panicum virgatum) has excellent tolerance for heavy, wet soils. Provides great vertical interest and fall color. ‘Shenandoah’ is a popular red-tinged variety.

Sneezeweed

A tall perennial wildflower, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) blooms prolifically in late summer and fall with yellow and mahogany-red flowers. Tolerates wet soils. Plant in full sun.

Coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and other Echinacea species handle clay soil quite well. Just provide good drainage to prevent rot over winter. Plant in full sun. Many colors to choose from!

Hosta

Hostas thrive in moist, fertile soils. Their broad leaves tolerate wet clay soils beautifully. Grow in part to full shade. Choose slug-resistant cultivars if needed.

Astilbe

With their fern-like foliage and feathery flower plumes, astilbe are lovely moisture-loving perennials. They flourish in heavy, clay soil. Grow in partial to full shade. Many sizes and colors available.

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is a shade-loving perennial that produces clusters of blue, pink or white bell-shaped flowers in spring. Its attractive foliage patterns add interest all season.

Goatsbeard

Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) grows 3-6 feet tall with large plumes of tiny white flowers resembling astilbe. Does very well in moist, heavy clay in partial shade.

With some preparation to improve drainage and careful plant selection, you can have a beautiful perennial garden even with dense, wet clay soil. Choose plants that naturally thrive in those conditions for best results.

perennials for clay soil with poor drainage

CRANESBILL GERANIUM (Geranium spp.)

Zones: 4-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright or mounding habit Height/Spread: 6 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 36 inches wide Bloom time: Spring to fall, depending on the variety

A staple of English-style gardening, cranesbill geranium is commonly used as an underplanting to roses, or as a ground cover. Plants produce attractive scalloped foliage and long blooming strawberry-like flowers. This hardy perennial is one of the best flowers for clay soil.

Find more on growing cranesbill geraniums.

Rainbow Rhythm® Orange Smoothie daylily. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright clumping habit Height/Spread: 1 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide Bloom time: Late spring to fall

This popular long-lived perennial has trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of colors. Plant in mixed borders or cottage-style landscapes. Daylily is virtually carefree and adaptable to different soils. Amend clay soil with organic matter and keep soil evenly moist.

Find more on growing daylily.

Arctic Sun® Dogwood. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 2-9, depending on the variety Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Tall upright or compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 3 to 40 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Spring

Dogwood is a popular deciduous tree or shrub with four-season appeal. Tree forms create a spectacular floral display in spring, while shrub types are revered for their colorful winter stems. Dogwoods prefer amended soil with good drainage, but tolerate clay and wet soil.

Find more on growing dogwood.

Show Off® Forsythia. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright, bushy or arching habit Height/Spread: 1 to 10 feet tall, 3 to 10 feet wide Bloom time: Early to mid-spring

This deciduous shrub is grown for the cheerful bright-yellow flowers that light up the landscape in early spring. Use as hedging or in foundation plantings. Forsythia is one of the best clay soil plants, adaptable to different growing conditions as long as there is good drainage.

Find more on growing forsythia.

Graceful Grasses® Purple Fountain Grass. Photo by: Proven Winners

FOUNTAIN GRASS (Pennisetum spp.)

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Zones: 5-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall

Fountain grass produces graceful foliage and large, feathery flower plumes from summer into fall. Use this drought-tolerant perennial in a curbside planting or waterwise landscape. Amend clay soil with organic matter to prevent root rot. Learn more about growing fountain grasses.

Shadowland® Hudson Bay. Photo by: Proven Winners

Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Part sun to shade Habit: Upright clumping habit Height/Spread: 2 inches to 4 feet tall, 5 inches to 5 feet wide, depending on the variety Bloom time: Summer

Hosta is one of the best plants for shade and clay soil. This hardy perennial is grown for the attractive foliage in a range of colors, patterns, and shapes. Use in shade borders and mass plantings. Amend clay soil with organic matter, as poor drainage can lead to root rot.

Find more on growing hosta.

Limelight Prime® Panicle Hydrangea. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial sun to shade Habit: Upright bushy or arching habit Height/Spread: 3 to 15 feet tall, 3 to 12 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall

One of the most popular landscape shrubs, hydrangea produces large, showy flower heads with different colors and forms. Use in a woodland setting or shrub border. Hydrangea can be planted in clay soil as long as it’s amended with rich organic matter.

Find more on growing hydrangea.

Photo by: iPixela / Shutterstock.

Zones: 3-10 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 8 to 70 feet tall, 7 to 40 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to summer, with some rebloom

Magnolia is one of the most popular landscape trees, with elegant cup-shaped flowers that put on a show-stopping display in spring and summer. This deciduous or evergreen tree is adaptable to different soils including clay, preferring acidic soil with good drainage.

Find more on growing magnolia.

Cinderella swamp milkweed. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 1 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide Bloom time: Summer

Milkweed is a host plant for monarch butterflies, with flowers that attract beneficial pollinators. Most milkweeds are tolerant of different soils, while swamp milkweed can thrive in wet clay. Plant in a pollinator garden or wildflower meadow.

Find more on growing milkweed.

Happy Face® White. Photo by: Proven Winners

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Zones: 2-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Bushy or ground cover habit Height/Spread: 3 inches to 4 feet tall, 6 inches to 5 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to fall

Potentilla is commonly used in home and commercial landscapes for its carefree nature, long bloom time, and exceptional hardiness. This bush or ground cover is one of the best ground covers for clay soil. Use in mass plantings or along a slope for erosion control.

Find more on growing potentilla.

Denim n Lace Russian Sage. Photo by: Proven Winners

CLAY SOIL? NO WORRIES! Top 10 Perennial Flowers That THRIVE in Tough Soil!

FAQ

What grows well in poorly drained clay soil?

Hosta is one of the best plants for shade and clay soil. This hardy perennial is grown for the attractive foliage in a range of colors, patterns, and shapes. Use in shade borders and mass plantings. Amend clay soil with organic matter, as poor drainage can lead to root rot.

What perennial plants do well in clay soil?

Best Plants for Clay Soil: Repel Deer, Rabbits, and Other Critters
  • Astilbe (Astilbe japonica) – Zone 3-8.
  • Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Zone 3-9.
  • Bee Balm (Monarda) – Zone 4-8.
  • Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Zone 4-9.
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – Zone 5-9.
  • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – Zone 3-9.

How do you fix poor drainage in clay soil?

Adding lots of organic matter such as compost, farm manure, or shredded leaves to clayey soil will allow it to drain more easily and hold the right amounts of …Aug 10, 2023

What perennials soak up the most water?

Plants that soak up water
  • Daylily (zones 3-11)
  • Purple coneflower (zones 3-9)
  • Bee balm (zones 4-9)
  • Globeflower (zones 3-7)
  • Golden club (zones 5-10)
  • Japanese iris (zones 4-9)
  • Violet (zones 7-10)
  • Primrose (zones 3-8)

What plants grow well in clay soil?

Hardy plants that tolerate extreme conditions like prolonged periods of water-logging, cold ground temperatures, and dry, cracked earth conditions are ideal for clay soils with poor drainage. Often, plants with taproots, like hostas, daylilies, and asters, also grow well in clay soil.

Which compass plant is best for clay soil?

Besides the compass plant, the shorter Silphium integrifolium (Rosinweed) also makes a good choice for clay soil. It’s called the cup plant because water collects in cups formed where the leaves meet the stems. This type of Silphium is extremely popular with birds and butterflies.

Can plants grow in clay soil?

Clay soil is one of the most challenging soil conditions a gardener can face. It’s wet and dense, and it can bake as solid as a brick in the sun. This soil type leaves little room for air and water movement for plants. Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion.

Which type of soil is best for a garden?

Mixed or intermediate types are generally beneficial for the widest range of plants as they facilitate some drainage, yet can hold just enough water for an ideal amount of time. Clay soil, which has the finest particles and is thus the most packed, can often act as a clog in the garden. Clay soil can be very difficult to work with.

Can plantain lilies grow in clay soil?

Plantain lilies are forgiving plants that can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Though they grow best in well-draining substrates, they are able to persist in heavy clay soils as well. Known for being remarkably easy to cultivate and maintain, they are long-lived plants that can add texture and color to your perennial garden for years to come.

Why do plants grow in heavy clay soil?

Some tough species, such as trees and shrubs with strong roots, are able to force their way into lower layers. This helps permit oxygen into the soil and increase drainage as well. As heavy clay soils tend to attract calcium, magnesium, and potassium particles, try to opt for plants with a high tolerance for minerals.

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