23 Outstanding Perennials that Thrive in Clay Soil

Learn about 23 perennials for clay soil that are easy to grow and make your flower garden easy to maintain and beautiful.

The type of soil you have makes all the difference when you are creating or growing an ornamental garden. In my neck of the woods, here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, most of us have clay soil. 

That often means we need to add organic material to our gardens to help aerate the soil and break up the clay. Natural mulch and compost are two great ways to help with clay soil.

However, there are many plants that will thrive in the clay, especially once they get established. 

Below is a list of 23 perennials have I have grown successfully in clay soil, some for many years. Hopefully, they will offer some inspiration for your own garden.

I have also indicated the hardiness zone range they grow best in, and whether the plant prefers sun or shady conditions.

Best Perennials for Clay Soil 

Achillea millefolium – Common Yarrow
Zone – 3 to 9
Full Sun

 

Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ – Bugleweed
Zone – 4 to 9
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

 

Alchemilla mollis – Lady’s mantle
Zone – 3 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Anemone ‘September Charm’ – Japanese Anemone
Zone – 3 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Athyrium niponicum – Japanese painted fern
Zone – 3 to 8
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Brunnera macrophylla – False Forget-Me-Not
Zone – 3 to 8
Part Shade

Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ – Tickseed
Zone – 3 to 9
Full Sun

 

Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower
Zone – 3 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Galium odoratum – Sweet Woodruff
Zone – 5 to 9
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ – Cranesbill
Zone – 5 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Helleborus orientalis – Lenten Rose
Zone – 4 to 9
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Hemerocallis – Daylily
Zone – 3 to 9
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Hosta ‘Guacamole’ – Plantain Lily
Zone – 3 to 8
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Leucanthemum x superbum – Shasta Daisy
Zone – 5 to 9
Full Sun

 

Ligularia ‘Britt Marie Crawford’ – Leopard Plant
Zone – 4 to 9
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Monarda ‘Blue Stocking’ – Beebalm
Zone – 4 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ – Catmint
Zone – 4 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ – Beardtongue
Zone – 4 to 8
Full Sun to Part Shade

 

Primula vulgaris – Primrose
Zone – 4 to 8
Part Shade

 

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ – Lungwort
Zone – 4 to 9
Part Shade to Full Shade

 

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’ – Black Eyed Susan
Zone – 5 to 8
Full Sun

 

 

Salvia sylvestris ‘May Night’ – Sage
Zone – 4 to 8
Full Sun

 

Sedum ‘Brilliant’ – Stonecrop
Zone – 3 to 9
Full Sun

 

That’s a pretty big list, right? There are actually more perennials that fit into this category. Asters, ornamental grasses and coral bells can also be planted in clay soil. So, as you can see there are plenty of perennials for clay soil to choose from so you can easily create a beautiful flower garden of your own. 

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P.S. If shade is an issue check out 11 Perennials for Shade. Or, if you are looking for shrubs you may like this Easy to Grow Shrubs post. You can find them and much more on my Gardening Page.

 

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