Native Plants for Clay and Heavy Soils
Amending clay soil can be a difficult process. If it is not done properly, it can make growing conditions worse. Too little sand added to clay can result in a decrease in permeability (clay plus sand equals concrete). Sometimes amending heavy soil can lead to difficult drainage problems at the interface of the amended soil and the native soil. Water can collect in this area further aggravating poor drainage.
Because of this we recommend using plants that are adapted to your native soil and being especially careful with your gardening practices. Heavy soils often have poor aeration and a high water-holding capacity. For success with these conditions, water carefully. Watering too often will lead to root rot problems. Water well and slowly, allowing the water to fully permeate the soil without running off. Be sure to allow the soil to dry, though it is best not to let it become bone dry since this condition will pull water from the plants and can result in crusting and cracking of the soil.
The following is a list of native plants that can grow in soils with less than excellent drainage.
Plant Names |
Common Names |
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Chlorogalum pomeridianum Coreopsis maritima Dichelostemma pulchellum Epilobium canum Erigeron sp. Erigeron glaucus Eriophyllum confertiflorum Eriophyllum nevinii 'Canyon Silver' Fragaria chiloensis Grindelia robusta Heuchera maxima Heuchera micrantha 'Martha Roderick' Iris douglasiana Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow' Iris longipetala Juncus patens Keckiella cordifolia Lilium humboldtii Mimulus aurantiacus Mimulus cardinalis Nolina parryi Oenothera hookeri Oxalis oregana Penstemon centranthifolius Penstemon heterophyllus Penstemon spectabilis Polypodium californicum Potentilla glandulosa Ranunculus californicus Salvia spathacea Satureja douglasii Sisyrinchium bellum Solidago californica Tanacetum camphoratum Tellima grandiflora Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum Triteleia laxa Woodwardia fimbriata Yucca whipplei
Woody Shrubs and TreesAcer macrophyllum Alnus rhombifolia Berberis fremontii Calocedrus decurrens Cercis occidentalis Cercocarpus betuloides Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Chilopsis linearis Cupressocyparis leylandii Cupressus forbesii Forestiera pubescens Fraxinus dipetala Isomeris arborea Juniperus californica Lavatera assurgentiflora Lithocarpus densiflorus Lonicera interrupta Lonicera involucrata Mahonia 'Golden Abundance' Mahonia 'Skylark' Mahonia aquifolium Mahonia nevinii Mahonia pinnata Mahonia repens Pinus attenuata Pinus coulteri Pinus sabiniana Pinus torreyana Potentilla fruticosa Quercus agrifolia Quercus chrysolepis Quercus lobata Rhamnus californica Rosa californica Washingtonia filifera |
soap plant sea dahlia blue dicks California fuchsia fleabane seaside daisy golden yarrow Canyon Silver island snowflake beach strawberry gum plant island alum root Martha Roderick alum root Douglas iris Canyon Snow Douglas iris coast iris wire grass heartleaf keckiella Humboldt lily bush monkeyflower scarlet monkeyflower Parry beargrass Hooker’s evening primrose redwood sorrel scarlet bugler foothill penstemon showy penstemon California polypody sticky cinquefoil buttercup hummingbird sage yerba buena blue-eyed grass California goldenrod dune tansy Forest Frost fringe cup meadow rue brodiaea giant chain fern chaparral yucca
big-leaf maple white alder Fremont barberry incense cedar western redbud birch-leaf mountain-mahogany Lawson cypress desert willow Leyland cypress Tecate cypress desert olive California ash bladderpod California juniper tree mallow cutleaf tanbark oak chaparral honeysuckle twinberry Golden Abundance barberry (RSABG Introduction) Skylark barberry Oregon grape Nevin’s barberry creeping barberry creeping barberry knobcone pine Coulter pine foothill pine Torrey pine shrubby cinquefoil coast live oak canyon live oak valley oak coffeeberry California rose California fan palm |