Red mud. Its actually clay, but red clay just doesn’t roll off the tongue as easy.
Clay soil is problematic. It is sticky, heavy, wet and stinky making it tough to work with. It is slow to drain after a storm, slow to warm in the spring and difficult for plant root to penetrate.
When gardening in a site with clay soil you will need to decide whether to accept the soil as it is or try to change it. Changing the soil structure can be a massive undertaking and, over time, clay soil reverts back to its original state. We strongly encourage you to amend your soil and grow whatever makes you the happiest, regardless of what your soil is! We have an amazing amendment called “Tost” that will fix even the worst of solid clay soils. Check out our “How To Plant Guide” For further education.
How To Properly Plant Your Newly Adopted Plant
It is always best, and easiest, to select plants that thrive in the type of soil in which you are planting rather than changing your soil to suit the plant. Remember, also, select plants that sun and soil pH requirements match the soil that your are planting in. This will ensure that they are appropriate and will thrive in your chosen site.
PLANTS FOR CLAY SOIL
Trees | ||
Bald Cypress | Taxodium distchum | |
Crabapple | Malus Sp. | |
Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | |
Hawthorns | Crataegus Sp. | |
Hornbeams | Carpinus Sp. | |
Pin Oak | Quercus paulstris | |
River Birch | Betula nigra | |
Saucer Magnolia | Magnolia soulangiana | |
Spruce | Picea Sp. | |
Linden | Tillia Sp. | |
Upright English Oak | Quercus robur fastigiata | |
Willow | Salix Sp. | |
Shrubs | ||
Aucuba | Aucuba japonica | |
Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | |
Burning Bush | Euonymus alatus | |
Cotoneaster | Cotoneaster Sp. | |
Dwarf Norway Spruce | Picea abies | |
Forsythia | Forsythia intermedia | |
Hydrangea | Hydrangea macrophylla | |
Inkberry | Ilex glabra | |
Japanese Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | |
Korean Boxwood | Buxus microphylla | |
Lilac | Syringa Sp. | |
Oregon Grape Holly | Mahonia aquifolium | |
Plume Cypress | Chamaecyparis pisifera | |
Potentilla | Potentilla fruticosa | |
Smokebush | Cotinus coggygria | |
Twig Dogwoods | Cornus Sp. | |
Viburnum | Viburnum Sp. | |
Weigela | Weigela florida | |
Willow | Salix Sp. | |
Perennials | ||
Aster | Aster Sp. | |
Beebalm | Mondarda didyma | |
Berginia | Berginia cordifolia | |
Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia Sp. | |
Daylilies | Hemerocallis Sp. | |
Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis scoriodes | |
Gooseneck Loosestrife | Lysimachia clethroides | |
Helen’s Flower | Helenium Sp. | |
Jacob’s Ladder | Polemonium Sp. | |
Japanese Anemone | Anemone japonica | |
Lady’s Mantle | Alchemilla mollis | |
Ligularia | Ligularia Sp. | |
Mayapple | Podophyllum Sp. | |
Monkshood | Aconitum Sp. | |
Bulbs | ||
Checkered Lily | Fritillaria meleagris | |
Small Camas | Camassia quamash | |
Snowdrops | Galanthus Sp. | |
Summer Snowflake | Leucojum aestivum | |
Winter Aconite | Eranthis hyemalis |