Clay-tolerant blooms
By: Garden Gate staff
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Clay-tolerant beauties
Don’t struggle with clay soil! Choosing the right plants is an important way to work with the clay you have. The three ahead do well in this soil type, adding beautiful blooms and foliage.
To give them the best growing conditions, amend the area first. In a wheelbarrow, mix one part of the soil you removed from the planting hole with one part compost and a few shovelfuls of 1/2-in. lava rock or gravel. This will add organic matter and air pockets before you backfill and finish planting. To learn more, just keep clicking!
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Blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium spp. and hybrids
With long-lasting blooms, blue-eyed grass forms neat, texture-rich clumps — it’s a great edging at the front of the border.
Type Perennial
Blooms Blue, white or pale yellow blooms from spring to fall
Light Full sun to part shade
Size 6 to 24 in. tall, 3 to 24 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 2 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Eucalyptus Eucalyptus cinerea
Eucalyptus’ fragrant silver-blue leaves look good in drought or areas where critters cause trouble — this fast grower is deer-resistant.
Type Tree, but can also be treated as an annual
Blooms White flowers in late spring are rare; fragrant silver-blue leaves
Light Full sun
Size up to 20 to 55 ft. tall, up to 20 to 45 ft. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 8 to 11
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 11 to 1
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Mullein Verbascum spp. and hybrids
Another perennial with long-lasting blooms, mullein reseeds, but new plants may not always look like the parent. If you want more of the same blooms, divide plants, instead of letting them set seed and spread.
Type Perennial
Blooms Yellow, white, purple, orange or pale pink flowers in late spring
Light Full sun
Size 1 to 4 ft. tall, 1 to 3 ft. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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