We've talked about different soil types in the past. In Western North Carolina, clay soil is predominant. When you mix clay with rocks, you end up with hard, compacted soil with poor drainage. Clay soils are some of the heaviest soils out there. Why is that? Well, clay is the smallest particle in soil. When soil is mostly clay, that leaves little room for drainage. The tiny particles hug close together and produce a sort of watertight seal. The combination of waterlogging and tight particles means that roots rot, the soil lacks material to hold onto, and nutrients are limited. In today's post, we're going to tell you about flowers that grow well in clay soil.

Aster

Asters are perennial, star-shaped flowers that bring beauty to any garden. These hardy flowers are capable of taking care of themselves and come in white, blue, and purple. They are late-blooming flowers and blooms start in late summer and fall. So, as your other blooms are disappearing, asters are just getting started.

When you plant asters, make sure they have full to part sun, and amend the soil a bit with some Black Kow or other compost.

Daylily

Daylilies come in a wide range of colors from yellow, red, and pink. The choice is up to you. This large, colorful flower is resilient and able to handle droughts, poor soil quality, and bad drainage. The adaptability of the daylily makes it a great option for any clay-heavy garden.

For the best results, you can combine various types of daylilies. Some are early-season bloomers, mid-season bloomers, or late-season bloomers. When you combine these three types, you'll have blooms all season long!

Bluestar

These cone-shaped flower clumps grow up to three feet high. This beautiful flower made the list because it is exceptional at growing in soggy, dry, or heavy clay soil areas. The flowers boast a pretty light-blue color that morphs to gold in autumn.

Need Help With Your Garden?

It's no secret that clay soil is difficult to work with. Now that you know what flowers to plant in your garden, it's time to get going! In order to give your garden the best chance at success, you need to think about many factors. What kind of soil do you have? What is the chemistry of that soil? What does your sun map look like? At Gardens of Eatin', we are horticulture and permaculture experts. Give us a call today for a consultation.