Clay, clay...go away

We have the best clay in the county around here, just kidding... Unfortunately, most plants hate clay and refuse to do anything in it other than die. A girl can only plant so many containers until she notices that there are huge spaces that need to be filled in with something in the ground. Finally, a list of clay-friendly plants to take to the greenhouse after the next good rainfall (because that's the only time I can get a shovel into the ground).

Clay-Friendly Plants

Rudbeckia-Black Eyed Susan

spreads quickly, but is not invasive

Amsonia-Blue Star

adaptable--soggy to clay, sun to part shade
spring and fall blooms

Aster

fall blooms
available in a variety of colors

Baptisia

spring blooms ranging from white to yellow or purple

Canna

rhizomes can be removed, stored for the winter, and re-planted in spring

Coreopsis

spreads into a great groundcover

Echinacea-Purple Coneflower

birds and butterflies love this

Eryngium-Sea Holly

related to thistles
deer and rabbit resistant

Heliopsis-False Sunflower

blooms all summer
heat and drought tolerant

Hemerocallis-Daylily

many varieties bloom several times throughout the summer

Heuchera-Coral Bells

foliage plant

Liatris-Blazing Star

attractive to butterflies
popular cut flower

Monarda-Bee Balm

attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
deer and rabbit resistant

Perovskia-Russian Sage

thrives in hot, sunny and dry environments
can be a bit invasive

Solidago-Golden Rod

grows between 2-5 feet tall

Achillea-Yarrow

attractive to butterflies
deer resistant

Vernonia-Ironweed

tolerates heat and drought

Yucca Filamentosa

blooms early summer

Sedum

full sun
blooms late summer/early fall