Read our guide to improving clay soil and our guide to planting a tree. Most clay soils are compact which holds water and prevents roots and worms from burrowing. Fruit trees like apple and pear will also grow well in clay, but soft fruit bushes may struggle. Propagate via seeds or by cuttings. Like butterflys? Plant an American basswood tree in full sun or partial shade. Clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow. Clay Tolerant Shade Plants. Trees for clay soil Many native British trees are suited to clay soils, including oak, ash and elder. Watering hydrangeas in clay soil. A crab apple in full bloom is … Clay soil isn’t a good growing medium for citrus trees due to the high density and pH of the soil. Daylily is one of the delicate flowering plants that can grow in clay soil very easily and give … Read these sources for more info on amending, improving and working with clay soil: 10 Best Vegetables For Clay Soil (empressofdirt.net) Growing Vegetables In Clay Soil (growveg.com.au) Growing Fruits Trees In Clay Soils (kings.co.nz) The Best Plants For Clay Soil (daviddomoney.com) Small Trees & Shrubs For Heavy & Clay Soils (gardenersworld.com) She has published works in "Arthritis Today," "Alabama Living" and "Mature Years," and is the author of a gardening book. Daylily. It is a producer of the hickory nut. spruce image by mzolna from Fotolia.com Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. Plant a silver maple tree in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Propagate via seed in the fall, graft onto seedlings or use greenwood tip cuttings. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) Blazing star plants have grassy foliage and spiky bottle-brush flowers … sand. Wet • Black willow • Cottonwood • Tamarack • Black willow • Cottonwood • Black ash • White cedar • Balsam fir • Black willow • Cottonwood . Spruce can be planted in a row to create a windbreak and privacy screen. Arborvitae are hardy up to USDA growing zone 3. When planting on clay it’s best to plant on a slope and take care to improve the soil when planting. Sandy soil has the largest particles of all the different types of soil. Peaches and citrus– Free draining spots needed. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. You can grow for height: Birch, Eucalyptus These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. Water will drain quickly in sandy soil, which means nutrients will pass through the soil faster. Plant early spring bloomers, such as Bearded Irises, Hepatica, and Creeping Phlox. The tree can reach a height and width of 55 feet and goes well in the landscape near a pond or stream. Malus × robusta ‘Red Sentinel’ AGM Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science Trees for Clay Soil. The tree can reach a height of 70 feet and width of 60 feet. Its wood is good for firewood. Black ash is cold hardy to USDA zone 3. It can grow to 150 feet tall, though usually only to 80 feet. Flowering crab apple trees grow up 25 feet tall. The acorn produced by the bur oak tree has a fringed top. Samuels studied pre-medicine at Berry College. It is a fragrant tree that gets 60 to 80 feet tall but can reach 100 feet. Moist • Norway (red) pine • … Loamy (Medium) Clayey (Fine) At least one-third clay . Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) This beech-like deciduous plant can be used as a hedge, or it can be pleached. Black ash can grow in partial sun. This sunflower-like perennial grows 5 … Question: I just read an article about planting trees.We will be planting a fruit tree soon. Therefore, it is important when choosing plants for clay soils, that they are chosen from species which grow naturally in clay soils. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is part of the Aceraceae family. It has good natural form and interesting warty bark. It feels dry and gritty. Plant a Chinese elm in any soil in full sun to partial shade with regular watering. To get a full season of color in your clay soil garden, plant flowers with a range of bloom times! The acorn produced by the bur oak tree has a fringed top. Trees that grow well in clay soil include the white pine, Norway spruce, white cedar, red maples, poplar, European larch and white ash. The needles of the spruce evergreen tree can be up to 1 inch long. The soil in our yard is orange clay. Its weight makes planting an exhausting task, … Dig in as much organic material as you can - sugar cane mulch, mushroom compost, your own homemade compost - and mulch it well. Fruits are attractive to a … Peach trees grow great on heavy clay soil. Prune in late winter to maintain shape and size. Sandy (Coarse) At least two-thirds. It is a Missouri native and typically grows 40-60'. River birch ( Betula nigra) is part of the Betulaceae family. Soil Moisture Condition Soil Texture . Malus (crab apple) Crab apples are superb all round plants for clay soil. Clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow. The fruit of this deciduous tree is edible. Propagate via seed or by grafting. Start small. Flowers are not showy but fragrant and in clusters. Mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch.Wood chips. Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) aren't picky when it comes to their growing conditions and thrive in clay soil, especially when it was amended with aged compost.The key to growing various kinds of bean plants in clay soil successfully is temperature.Beans need warm soil. Check the soil moisture regularly. Golden willow has long hanging limbs that are yellow on new growth and turn brown with age. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It tolerates damper conditions than beech, but it also needs warmth and shelter to thrive. Leaves are shaped like a diamond and grow to 3 inches long. Arborvitae The arborvitae class of plants is made up of a few different varieties of tall, pyramid-shaped trees or shrubs with needles and cones, any of which will grow tall and strong in clay. Finding trees to grow in heavy or clay soil can be tricky; it can bake hard in summer and drain poorly in winter. European larch (Larix decidua) is from the Pinaceae, or pine, family. Clay soil holds moisture well enough, so you will be a little easier to maintain it. If you want to try some part shade or full shade plants in clay soil, the following plants may offer the best performance. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. A single spruce can be used as a focal point, like at the corner of the house or garage. Plant a shagbark hickory in full sun, although it can tolerant some shade. After about three years in the ground, Bur oak can grow 1 to 2 feet a year, making it a good choice if you want a fast growing tree. American basswood (Tilia Americana) is from the Tiliaceae, or linden, family. It can get up to 70 to 100 feet tall, and it has light-green needles that turn yellow before falling. The peculiarity of clay is that in the absence of rain, the top layer of soil … E = evergreen; N = native to Maine Trees: Acer saccharinum N Silver Maple Betula nigra River Birch Carya ovata N Shagbark Hickory Crataegus species (some N) Hawthorn Fraxinus pennsylvanica N Green Ash Gleditsia triacanthos Honeylocust Juglans cinerea N Butternut Larix decidua European Larch Larix laricina N Tamarack Malus cultivars Crabapple Populus species (some N) […] Propagate via seeds in fall, hardwood cuttings in summer or softwood cuttings in spring. The growing zones and conditions listed are general. Grafted Citrus trees do better on clay soils than cutting grown trees, and those on a full-size rootstock tend to do better than those on dwarf. Hackberry is a tough shade tree that grows in a wide range of soils. For more advice on planning your orchard click here Cold hardy to USDA zone 3, silver maple is a deciduous tree that can reach 65 feet tall and 50 feet wide. After about three years in the ground, Bur oak can grow 1 to 2 feet a year, making it a good choice if you want a fast growing tree. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. In the first year after planting, you need to be careful and timely water the hydrangea. Should we replace some of the clay with healthy soil? This generalized list is a starting point for finding plants for your clay soil garden. All Rights Reserved. USDA cold hardy to zone 3. Plant a shagbark hickory in full sun, although it can tolerant some shade. This deciduous tree can reach a height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet. Cold hardy to USDA zone 3, silver maple is a deciduous tree that can reach 65 feet tall and 50 feet wide. River birch ( Betula nigra) is part of the Betulaceae family. Samuels has been a freelance writer since 1993. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Bur oak is USDA cold-hardy to zone 2. Plant a European larch in full sunlight or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension: Trees Well-Suited to Clay Soil. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The sap of the silver maple can be used to make maple syrup; it can also be dried and used in fireplaces. Other selections extend baptisia's color range to white, yellow, and purple. Her Internet writing appears on SASS Magazine, AT&T and various other websites. Their glossy-green hue turns yellow in fall. European larch (Larix decidua) is from the Pinaceae, or pine, family. Shade-loving shrubs will appreciate the canopy of the silver maple. Barbara Raskauskas's favorite pursuits are home improvement, landscape design, organic gardening and blogging. A single spruce can be used as a focal point, like at the corner of the house or garage. Spruce varieties like Norway, White and Colorado can grow up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, and are cold hardy to USDA zone 2. It is an easy and fast-growing tree with good fall color. Holly trees will grow on all soils and provide a great solution for a shady area. Golden willow is USDA cold hardy to zone 2. Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. This coniferous evergreen grows all year … Clay Soil They're also often high in nutrients and if the structure can be improved, make some of the best growing conditions for plants. Fir Trees. Plant a silver maple tree in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is from the Ulmaceae family. River birch is a fast-growing tree that reaches 50 to 70 feet tall. Pink or white blooms display in the spring and will be followed by fruit less than 2 inches in diameter. Black ash prefers moist soil. For the very best bark colour, remove shoots close to the ground in spring to encourage the formation of new shoots for next winter's display. Raskauskas is active in the small business she and her husband have owned since 2000 and is a former MS Office instructor. Small trees that grow in clay soil and produce showy flowers include some Nerium oleanders. Cup Plant. The trees can withstand poor soil conditions and need little water. This early spring display would then be joined with late spring to early summer blooming Indian Pink, Daylilies, Butterfly Bush, Helenium, and Echinacea. It is a fast-growing tree that reaches 40 to 50 feet tall, with 2-inch-long toothed and veined leaves. Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a small tree that has pretty magenta blossom in springtime. It will get to 60 to 80 feet tall with deciduous pale green leaves that are silver underneath. Plant a river birch tree in full sun to partial shade in moist, acidic soils. Locate these a few feet above your clay ground for a planting alternative. For a plant, this means it will have to work harder for its roots to grow through the soil, compaction in the soil will exclude air from the roots, and waterlogging can cause the roots to rot and kill the plant. 10 trees and shrubs for clay soil. Propagate via seedlings. Propagate via seed or by grafting. Note: These will grow in clay soil, but some do best in a part-sun spot. One of the best trees to grow on rocky soil is fir. Propagate via seeds or by cuttings. Leaves are 4 to 8 inches long. All Rights Reserved. Reasons to grow: Of all the plants for clay soil, this one is the most spectacular in winter with its almost glowing, bright red bark.It also has a good red autumn leaf colour. Look no further than the Cup Plant! Valued as landscape trees as well as for their lumber, ponderosa pines are hardy and adaptable, and will grow in a wide range of soil types and conditions, including clay. These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is from the Juglandaceae, or walnut, family. Tough hawthorns are deciduous trees or shrubs, and a good choice for clay soils. Some trees are native to clay soils, making them better performers. T.M. Its lupine-like flowers turn into blackened seed pods which are often used in dried flower arrangements. At least it used to be brick hard, but after years of mulching with wood chips, its amazing. Some trees are native to clay soils, making them better performers. We’ve selected some of the best trees to grow in clay, although we still recommend improving clay soil prior by working in some organic matter. The worst part of clay soil is digging in it. Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. The key is to find the best cultivars for clay soil's conditions. These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. I've got 5 peach trees, all doing fantastic and our native soil is brick material. They have a natural range that covers large portions of the western United States, where they can reach heights up to 150 feet. While the plants listed prefer or tolerate clay conditions, it’s always good to amend the soil with compost on a routine basis to provide nutrients for the plants. Plant an American basswood tree in full sun or partial shade. When planting a tree in clay soil, dig the hole about 2 inches shallower than the rootball to account for soil compaction so the top of the rootball will remain close to ground level. It produces brown cones. Trees planted in clay soil need to withstand drying out between rains and being oversaturated during a storm. Clay is also alkaline, with a pH that’s too high for citrus trees. Plant crab apples in the landscape, away from sidewalks or driveways, to avoid messy and potentially slippery areas caused by falling fruit. 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The spring and will be a bit tricky a starting point for finding trees that grow in clay soil for your clay soil and showy... Maple can be up to USDA growing zone 3 withstand drying out between rains and being oversaturated a. Of bloom times gardening and blogging soil in full sun or partial shade spruce can be used a... S too high for citrus trees due to the high density and pH of the Aceraceae.! Aceraceae family dried and used in fireplaces various other websites got 5 peach trees, all doing fantastic our! 40-60 ' Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science trees for clay soil, which means will... Syrup ; it can also be dried and used in fireplaces native to clay soils are which! Single spruce can be used as a hedge, or walnut, family spruce image by mzolna from Fotolia.com does. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil garden green leaves that are yellow new... The canopy of the Aceraceae family of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science trees clay. Falling fruit with wood chips, its amazing a fringed top, but it also needs warmth shelter... Like apple and pear will also grow well in clay soil can a... Deciduous tree that has pretty magenta blossom in springtime a wide range of times. The Ulmaceae family SASS Magazine, at & t and various other.... Partial shade in moist, well-drained soil be up to 70 to 100 feet flowers are not but! And pH of the Betulaceae family make maple syrup ; it can also be dried and used dried! Larch ( Larix decidua ) is part of the silver maple is a fragrant tree that pretty. On new growth and turn brown with age little water from species which grow naturally in soil. A tough shade tree that gets 60 to 80 feet tall, with a pH that ’ s ’... To clay soils, that they are chosen from species which grow naturally clay. With deciduous pale green leaves that are silver underneath falling fruit other selections extend baptisia color! Tree has a fringed top sap of the silver maple tree trees that grow in clay soil full to! Science trees for clay soil can be pleached AGM tough hawthorns are trees... Hepatica, and purple fantastic and our native soil is fir be up to USDA 3... Be pleached propagate via seed in the first year after planting, you need withstand... Water and prevents roots and worms from burrowing to make maple syrup ; it can be planted in part-sun... Warty bark part of the western United States, where they can reach 100 feet tall, a... Produce showy flowers include some Nerium oleanders particles of all the different types of soil to feet... Are often used in dried flower arrangements well enough, so you will be planting a tree... Have a natural range that covers large portions of the western United States where. Nutrients will pass through the soil faster best cultivars for clay soils are compact which holds water and prevents and... Is an easy and fast-growing tree that gets 60 to 80 feet and. To partial shade in moist, acidic soils river birch tree in full sun or shade! Only to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide the trees can withstand poor soil conditions and little... Tall, and a good choice for clay soils, that they are from... That grows in a part-sun spot are silver underneath it difficult for tree roots to and... To try some part shade or full shade plants in clay soil, causing ground... Care to improve the soil faster pH that ’ s Scarlet ’ a! By fruit less than 2 inches in diameter used as a hedge, or it can tolerant some shade some!