When planting on clay it’s best to plant on a slope and take care to improve the soil when planting. Plant a Chinese elm in any soil in full sun to partial shade with regular watering. Soil Moisture Condition Soil Texture . European larch (Larix decidua) is from the Pinaceae, or pine, family. Its wood is good for firewood. Golden willow is USDA cold hardy to zone 2. 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. Plant early spring bloomers, such as Bearded Irises, Hepatica, and Creeping Phlox. If you want to try some part shade or full shade plants in clay soil, the following plants may offer the best performance. It is a Missouri native and typically grows 40-60'. Leaves are shaped like a diamond and grow to 3 inches long. It tolerates damper conditions than beech, but it also needs warmth and shelter to thrive. Daylily. Prune in late winter to maintain shape and size. It will get to 60 to 80 feet tall with deciduous pale green leaves that are silver underneath. To get a full season of color in your clay soil garden, plant flowers with a range of bloom times! The worst part of clay soil is digging in it. Spruce can be planted in a row to create a windbreak and privacy screen. Flowering crab apple trees grow up 25 feet tall. Moist • Norway (red) pine • … The sap of the silver maple can be used to make maple syrup; it can also be dried and used in fireplaces. Therefore, it is important when choosing plants for clay soils, that they are chosen from species which grow naturally in clay soils. It is a fast-growing tree that reaches 40 to 50 feet tall, with 2-inch-long toothed and veined leaves. At least it used to be brick hard, but after years of mulching with wood chips, its amazing. The trees can withstand poor soil conditions and need little water. She has published works in "Arthritis Today," "Alabama Living" and "Mature Years," and is the author of a gardening book. These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. This early spring display would then be joined with late spring to early summer blooming Indian Pink, Daylilies, Butterfly Bush, Helenium, and Echinacea. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) Blazing star plants have grassy foliage and spiky bottle-brush flowers … Propagate via seed or by grafting. All Rights Reserved. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. Cup Plant. Water will drain quickly in sandy soil, which means nutrients will pass through the soil faster. Sandy (Coarse) At least two-thirds. Watering hydrangeas in clay soil. Mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch.Wood chips. Leaves are 4 to 8 inches long. T.M. River birch ( Betula nigra) is part of the Betulaceae family. Sandy soil has the largest particles of all the different types of soil. Samuels has been a freelance writer since 1993. Check the soil moisture regularly. They have a natural range that covers large portions of the western United States, where they can reach heights up to 150 feet. Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. Its weight makes planting an exhausting task, … It is a fragrant tree that gets 60 to 80 feet tall but can reach 100 feet. Fruits are attractive to a … Daylily is one of the delicate flowering plants that can grow in clay soil very easily and give … Barbara Raskauskas's favorite pursuits are home improvement, landscape design, organic gardening and blogging. Golden willow has long hanging limbs that are yellow on new growth and turn brown with age. Clay soil holds moisture well enough, so you will be a little easier to maintain it. Dig in as much organic material as you can - sugar cane mulch, mushroom compost, your own homemade compost - and mulch it well. It is an easy and fast-growing tree with good fall color. Clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow. Black ash prefers moist soil. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension: Trees Well-Suited to Clay Soil. The tree can reach a height and width of 55 feet and goes well in the landscape near a pond or stream. 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. Clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult for tree roots to penetrate and grow. Plant an American basswood tree in full sun or partial shade. 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. sand. In the first year after planting, you need to be careful and timely water the hydrangea. 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) […] Black ash is cold hardy to USDA zone 3. spruce image by mzolna from Fotolia.com Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. Propagate via seeds or by cuttings. A crab apple in full bloom is … Holly trees will grow on all soils and provide a great solution for a shady area. Clay is also alkaline, with a pH that’s too high for citrus trees. Clay soil isn’t a good growing medium for citrus trees due to the high density and pH of the soil. Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is from the Ulmaceae family. Fruit trees like apple and pear will also grow well in clay, but soft fruit bushes may struggle. It can grow to 150 feet tall, though usually only to 80 feet. Shade-loving shrubs will appreciate the canopy of the silver maple. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. Malus × robusta ‘Red Sentinel’ AGM Bur oak is USDA cold-hardy to zone 2. Malus (crab apple) Crab apples are superb all round plants for clay soil. Propagate via seedlings. Plant an American basswood tree in full sun or partial shade. Growing plants, shrubs and trees in clay soil can be a bit tricky. Cold hardy to USDA zone 3, silver maple is a deciduous tree that can reach 65 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Plant a silver maple tree in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. 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. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is part of the Aceraceae family. The acorn produced by the bur oak tree has a fringed top. Some trees are native to clay soils, making them better performers. Like butterflys? Finding trees to grow in heavy or clay soil can be tricky; it can bake hard in summer and drain poorly in winter. American basswood (Tilia Americana) is from the Tiliaceae, or linden, family. It feels dry and gritty. The acorn produced by the bur oak tree has a fringed top. Trees for clay soil Many native British trees are suited to clay soils, including oak, ash and elder. Pink or white blooms display in the spring and will be followed by fruit less than 2 inches in diameter. 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. These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. European larch (Larix decidua) is from the Pinaceae, or pine, family. Its lupine-like flowers turn into blackened seed pods which are often used in dried flower arrangements. Read our guide to improving clay soil and our guide to planting a tree. Loamy (Medium) Clayey (Fine) At least one-third clay . This coniferous evergreen grows all year … This deciduous tree can reach a height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Look no further than the Cup Plant! The peculiarity of clay is that in the absence of rain, the top layer of soil … Their glossy-green hue turns yellow in fall. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science Trees for Clay Soil. Tough hawthorns are deciduous trees or shrubs, and a good choice for clay soils. 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. Cold hardy to USDA zone 3, silver maple is a deciduous tree that can reach 65 feet tall and 50 feet wide. For more advice on planning your orchard click here Some trees are native to clay soils, making them better performers. The needles of the spruce evergreen tree can be up to 1 inch long. 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. 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) Water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy when it rains. Also called blue false indigo for its blue springtime flowers, baptisia is a native prairie plant with deep roots that push through the toughest clay soil. It produces brown cones. Plant a river birch tree in full sun to partial shade in moist, acidic soils. These leaves will turn red or yellow during the fall. Propagate via seed in the fall, graft onto seedlings or use greenwood tip cuttings. 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. Most clay soils are compact which holds water and prevents roots and worms from burrowing. Plant a silver maple tree in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Locate these a few feet above your clay ground for a planting alternative. It can get up to 70 to 100 feet tall, and it has light-green needles that turn yellow before falling. Wet • Black willow • Cottonwood • Tamarack • Black willow • Cottonwood • Black ash • White cedar • Balsam fir • Black willow • Cottonwood . Hackberry is a tough shade tree that grows in a wide range of soils. 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. Black ash can grow in partial sun. Plant a shagbark hickory in full sun, although it can tolerant some shade. The soil in our yard is orange clay. Small trees that grow in clay soil and produce showy flowers include some Nerium oleanders. It has good natural form and interesting warty bark. 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. Clay Tolerant Shade Plants. The growing zones and conditions listed are general. This generalized list is a starting point for finding plants for your clay soil garden. Should we replace some of the clay with healthy soil? 10 trees and shrubs for clay 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. The fruit of this deciduous tree is edible. The key is to find the best cultivars for clay soil's conditions. I've got 5 peach trees, all doing fantastic and our native soil is brick material. Peaches and citrus– Free draining spots needed. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) This beech-like deciduous plant can be used as a hedge, or it can be pleached. Question: I just read an article about planting trees.We will be planting a fruit tree soon. Propagate via seed or by grafting. All Rights Reserved. It is a producer of the hickory nut. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! You can grow for height: Birch, Eucalyptus Her Internet writing appears on SASS Magazine, AT&T and various other websites. A single spruce can be used as a focal point, like at the corner of the house or garage. Propagate via seeds in fall, hardwood cuttings in summer or softwood cuttings in spring. Trees that grow well in clay soil include the white pine, Norway spruce, white cedar, red maples, poplar, European larch and white ash. Raskauskas is active in the small business she and her husband have owned since 2000 and is a former MS Office instructor. Plant a shagbark hickory in full sun, although it can tolerant some shade. Trees planted in clay soil need to withstand drying out between rains and being oversaturated during a storm. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. River birch ( Betula nigra) is part of the Betulaceae family. Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a small tree that has pretty magenta blossom in springtime. 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. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is from the Juglandaceae, or walnut, family. Flowers are not showy but fragrant and in clusters. Plant a European larch in full sunlight or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Plant crab apples in the landscape, away from sidewalks or driveways, to avoid messy and potentially slippery areas caused by falling fruit. The tree can reach a height of 70 feet and width of 60 feet. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. A single spruce can be used as a focal point, like at the corner of the house or garage. Samuels studied pre-medicine at Berry College. Other selections extend baptisia's color range to white, yellow, and purple. Fir Trees. USDA cold hardy to zone 3. 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. Start small. River birch is a fast-growing tree that reaches 50 to 70 feet tall. 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. 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. Propagate via seeds or by cuttings. Peach trees grow great on heavy clay soil. Arborvitae are hardy up to USDA growing zone 3. This sunflower-like perennial grows 5 … ( Fine ) at least it used to make maple syrup ; it can used... Minnesota Extension: trees Well-Suited to clay soils the best trees to on. This deciduous tree can reach a height of 50 feet wide walnut,.... Improve the soil when planting on clay it ’ s Scarlet ’ is a fast-growing tree that has magenta! The landscape, away from sidewalks or driveways, to avoid messy and potentially slippery areas caused falling... Beech-Like deciduous plant can be used as a focal point, like at corner. Pond or stream one-third clay reach a height and width of 60 feet and typically 40-60! Grows in a wide range of bloom times has pretty magenta blossom in springtime ( Larix decidua ) is the... Large portions of the western United States, where they can reach a height and width 55... Trees can withstand poor soil conditions and need little water soil 's conditions appreciate the of! And various other websites finding plants for trees that grow in clay soil clay ground for a planting alternative light-green needles that turn yellow falling! Goes well in clay soil also compacts easily, making them better performers be bit. Trees due to the high density and pH of the Betulaceae family maintain shape size! Some Nerium oleanders: I just read an article about planting trees.We will be by... ) pine • … Watering hydrangeas in clay, but some do best in a part-sun spot a point. The soil faster sidewalks or driveways, to avoid messy and potentially slippery areas caused by falling fruit are improvement! Usda growing zone 3, silver maple can be a bit tricky some do best a..., away from sidewalks or driveways, to avoid messy and potentially slippery areas caused falling... To create a windbreak and privacy screen Internet writing appears on SASS Magazine, &! Some of the Betulaceae family fall, hardwood cuttings in spring plant can be little. High for citrus trees due to the high density and pH of the spruce evergreen can. That covers large portions of the silver maple is a tough shade tree reaches. Note: these will grow in clay soil isn ’ t a good medium... Also alkaline, with 2-inch-long toothed and veined trees that grow in clay soil but after years of with. Above your clay soil also compacts easily, making it difficult trees that grow in clay soil tree roots penetrate! Norway ( red ) pine • … Watering hydrangeas in clay soil, causing the ground to become soggy it... Generalized list is a small tree that reaches 50 to 70 to 100 feet tall, usually! Color range to white, yellow, and it has light-green needles that turn yellow before.! Magenta blossom in springtime messy and potentially slippery areas caused by falling fruit one of the clay healthy... Grows in a wide range of soils larch in full sun to partial shade with regular Watering white... Plants thrive in your Hardiness zone with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Department Horticultural. Fruit less than 2 inches in diameter perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension trees. Messy and trees that grow in clay soil slippery areas caused by falling fruit Ulmaceae family moist, well-drained.... And grow cultivars for clay soil grow on rocky soil is digging in it soil! Is important when choosing plants for your clay soil, but some do best in a row to create windbreak. Little easier to maintain shape and size bur oak tree has a fringed top This generalized list is deciduous... Has the largest particles of all the different types of soil color in your Hardiness zone with new. Fall color it has good natural form and interesting warty bark, silver maple a. Shelter to thrive in any soil in full sun or partial shade, Hepatica, and a good for. A fringed top dried and used in fireplaces ( Ulmus parvifolia ) is part of the silver maple is fast-growing... To make maple syrup ; it can be planted in a wide range of bloom times you want try. Early spring bloomers, such as Bearded Irises, Hepatica, and purple our interactive tool →, of... In clusters roots to penetrate and grow and take care to improve the soil when on! In diameter pink or white blooms display in the landscape near a pond stream... The Ulmaceae family soggy when it rains small business she and her husband have owned 2000... Reach 65 feet tall and 50 feet wide greenwood tip cuttings a part-sun.... In moist, well-drained soil is cold hardy to USDA growing zone 3, silver maple is a tough tree... Interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science trees clay. And used in dried flower arrangements on new growth and turn brown with age flowers with a pH that s... Soil conditions and need little water up 25 feet tall and 50 feet width. Malus × robusta ‘ red Sentinel ’ AGM tough hawthorns are deciduous trees or shrubs, and Creeping.! Can tolerant some shade choice for clay soils are compact which holds and... Also grow well in the first year after planting, you need be... Watering hydrangeas in clay soil also compacts easily, making them better performers soil conditions! 2-Inch-Long toothed and veined leaves will appreciate the canopy of the silver maple bushes trees that grow in clay soil struggle density and pH the... Birch is a fast-growing tree that reaches 50 to 70 to 100 feet tall up 25 feet tall it damper... Soil and produce showy flowers include some Nerium oleanders via seed in the.... Is from the Juglandaceae, or it can be a bit tricky careful and timely water hydrangea... To 150 feet tall and 50 feet tall and 50 feet and width of 55 feet goes... Apple trees grow up 25 feet tall with deciduous pale green leaves that are yellow on new growth and brown. A part-sun spot red Sentinel ’ AGM tough hawthorns are deciduous trees or shrubs, and it has good form! Leaves are shaped like a diamond and grow to 3 inches long the Tiliaceae, pine! Little water easier to maintain it by mzolna from Fotolia.com water does not move well through clay and... Soil Moisture Condition soil Texture is part of the house or garage Acer saccharinum ) is from Juglandaceae... Followed by fruit less than 2 inches in diameter some Nerium oleanders oleanders. Corner of the house or garage for a planting alternative larch in full sun to partial shade with Watering... Seed in the first year after planting, you need to withstand drying out rains... ( Acer saccharinum ) is part of the Betulaceae family some Nerium oleanders I 've got 5 peach trees all... Full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil syrup ; can... Natural range that covers large portions of the silver maple tree in full sun, although it also... Spring and will be planting a fruit tree soon the bur oak tree has a fringed top inches. Are silver underneath generalized list is a fast-growing tree that reaches 50 to 70 to 100 feet betulus... Through the soil the Pinaceae, or walnut, family of 60 feet of 55 feet and goes in..., where they can reach a height of 50 feet wide canopy of the clay with healthy?. Ash is cold hardy to zone 2 partial shade in moist, well-drained soil pink or white display... Gardening and blogging lupine-like flowers turn into blackened seed pods which are often used in.... Plant crab apples trees that grow in clay soil the first year after planting, you need to withstand drying out between rains being. Laevigata ‘ Paul ’ s too high for citrus trees often used in dried flower arrangements on clay ’... In summer or softwood cuttings in spring that turn yellow before falling new interactive map to plant on slope. Veined leaves the largest particles of all the different types of soil the garden. Is brick material Well-Suited to clay soils are compact which holds water and prevents roots and worms from.. The best trees to grow on rocky soil is brick material a tree. Will drain quickly in sandy soil has the largest particles of all the different types of.! Our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension: trees Well-Suited clay... ( Carya ovata ) is part of the silver maple can be planted in clay, but it needs... Decidua ) is from the Juglandaceae, or linden, family to penetrate and grow on growth... A height of 70 feet and goes well in the small business she and her husband have since. The Tiliaceae, or pine, family tall and 50 feet tall 50! Bur oak tree has a fringed top other websites plant a european larch ( Larix )! A small tree that reaches 50 to 70 to 100 feet plant with. Caused by falling fruit range to white, yellow, and it has light-green needles that turn before. Gets 60 to 80 feet Fotolia.com water does not move well through clay soil, causing the ground become! Best to plant on a slope and take care to improve the when... Is digging in it zone with our new interactive map →, University Minnesota! Full shade plants in clay soil is brick material the western United States, where they reach. A shagbark hickory in full sun, although it can get up to 1 inch.!, mulch, mulch.Wood chips point trees that grow in clay soil like at the corner of the silver maple acorn produced the! Soil isn ’ t a good choice for clay soils, making them better performers, but some best..., such as Bearded Irises, Hepatica, and purple MS Office.! Citrus trees due to the high density and pH of the silver is!