Clay soils can become an ideal place for planting decorative plants, as long as you adapt their conditions and make them a comfortable habitat. Certainly this type of terrain is not friendly to any species; but it is also true that many shrubs and flowers thrive there.
At first glance, the soils heavy (another way to call them) they look dehydrated, fragile and exhausted. However, with proper drainage and special fertilizers, you will get a soil for gardening and horticulture.
Of course, it is necessary to choose certain plants and provide them with proper care. What varieties are we talking about? We reveal them to you below.
Characteristics of clay soils
Clay soils are reddish and cracked. The main peculiarity is the proportion of clay they contain, in greater quantities than silt and sand, the other components of heavy soil.
They retain a lot of water, but their “micropores” tend to become saturated, which interferes with ventilation and causes waterlogging.
a chapter of the book Progress in agronomy comment as characteristics of clayey soils, lime demands, its swelling when wet and shrinkage when dry. They also mention the delay in heating in the spring, the humidity in the winter, and how potent they are so plants won’t suffer from drought, even though they only supply half the liquid they store.
Clay soils in gardening
Clay soils are not 100% suitable for gardening. However, with the addition of nutrients they can be corrected. Composting, coarse sand and diatomaceous earth favor its structure.
In these plots, Explain a Utah State University publication, you need to apply irrigation water at a slow pace and for long periods, so it doesn’t flow. They suggest 1 inch of water per 1 foot of depth; once the liquid is received, it takes a long time to dry.
Due to its calcium content, gypsum is another element used by gardeners to dissolve the crust and compact density of clay. As for the ventilation, it is possible to incorporate thick forms of organic matter, such as degraded sawdust and chopped leaves, as they benefit microorganisms essential for converting compacted soil into fertile soil.
Clay gardens are demanding on physical labor. But the flowering compensates for the fatigue with its beauty.
Shallow-rooted plant species do best in clayey plantings.
Decorative plants that grow in clay soils
Ornamental plants that adapt well to clayey soils are those that tolerate drought, because they do not require the soil to be thoroughly prepared in its upper layer. However, some aquatic plants lend themselves to growing in them. For example, the following:
- Aeneas.
- Papyrus.
- Umbrellas.
- Japanese lily.
- Elephant ear.
1. Daylilies
Hort Science refers That lilies, genus daylilyThey prefer moist soils, but don’t refuse clayey ones. They thrive in soil with a pH between 6 and 8, which is ideal for bringing out their purple, yellow and red tones. They do not require meticulous maintenance; its flowers are given only one day, in which they take advantage of the benefits of the sun.
2. Chokeberry
In marshy clay or in a drier one aronia grow without problems (on cover photo). They do not need constant watering, although young plants of this species “require” hydration a couple of times a week. All are fed with compost.
The leaves are distinguished by their golden, yellow and orange range; its fruit is an edible purplish-black berry. They grow on large trees or medium sized shrubs.
3. Sunflower
An investigation published by Journal of the Saudi Society for Agricultural Sciences points That Providing certain amounts of boron in loamy clay soil promotes sunflower production.
Famed for their splendor and the pipes they deliver, these flowers thrive in full sun and heavy soil conditions. Among the species that adapt to these crops, the false sunflower or Helianthus x laetiflorus, the swamp sunflower or Helianthus angustifoliaus and the porthole or Heliopsis helianthoides.
4. Light bulbs
Some bulbs, such as peonies and liatrisfor example, they survive in heavy soils. These are easy-to-grow plants that flower once a season, from mid to late spring. These plants display different colors, sizes and shapes.
5. Asters
If they have good drainage, asters work in clayey and slightly acidic soils. The palette of this species crosses purple, blue, pink and white tones. They appreciate being in full sun or some shade, for flowering in late summer and into the fall.
6. Button cap
Its flowers look like a pincushion, poking among the foliage of green leaves. They adapt to moist clayey soils.as well as those with regular hydration.
7. Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta is the scientific name of Susanna black-eyed, an elegant perennial wildflower, suited to heavy soils. This variety of daisy features golden petals surrounding a black center.
They are perfect for attracting bees and other pollinators.. The more moisture the soil holds, the more they will spread.
United States Department of Agriculture delimits that this species integrates clayey soils, with light to moderate humidity to dry. The requirement for its survival is that the pH is below 6.8.
8. Hydrangeas
This variation of the family hydrangeas It sports quite decorative foliage, thanks to its deep green oval leaves with jagged edges. Its flowers are purple, blue and white.
Hydrangeas reproduce by cuttings. They are popular in the ornamental field, hardy to cold and need moderate watering.
The University of Georgia stands out that, in clayey soils, these plants grow adequately, augment the soil with homemade compost, mushroom compost, and ground pine bark chips. Conversely, they advise against the supply of peat, due to accelerated decomposition.
How to improve the quality of clay soils for growing decorative plants?
For ornamental plants to do better in loamy soils, it is convenient to have an artificial drainage and supply them with lime to loosen the lumps. This is known as soil amendment and consists in working the weave until the light texture is achieved.
In general, if ornamental species are sown in this type of soil, it would be advisable to ask the nurseries for specific specimens for clayey areas. Get advice on the ideal fertilizer and find out if it is a vegetable that requires other specific attention.
The post 8 decorative plants that grow in clay soils first appeared in research-school.