Herbaceous flowering plants for compacted and waterlogged heavy clay soil

Below is a listing of clay tolerant herbaceous flowering plants that will die back to ground level in winter. Clay soils often suffer from winter flooding and water logging followed by cracking of soil during dry summer months and this is a tough environment for plants.

As with all other herbaceous plants you will need to give plants a good start on planting by conditioning the planting pit with compost and grit to improve the immediate root zone of establishing plants. Also annual mulching around plants with well rotted compost will improve soil fertility as well as lock in soil moisture. Mulching is useful on clay soils as the organic matter will help remedy clay compaction, aiding free draining and root penetration.

Many of these plants will also require lifting and dividing to encourage rejuvenated growth and flowering as well as stacking to stop taller plants from collapsing.

Click on the plant or genus name to view information, cultivation tips and pictures.