Shrubs that will tolerate heavy clay soils

Below is a list shrubs that will grow on heavy clay soils; in fact many will flourish on heavy clay soils. Planting such shrubs could actually help dry and improve wet clay soils in the long term prior to future planting.

On planting such shrubs dig in plenty of well rotted organic matter to improve drainage immediately around the root system and use a fertilizer such as blood fish and bone to give the young plants a good start.

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

Click Image for Full Profile	Latin & Common Name	Earmark	Type & Form	Flowers & Foliage
	Abelia X grandiflora Abelia		Shrub, Ground cover, Rounded - Bush	Non-flowering
	Berberis X stenophylla Berberis		Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Spreading arching	Yellow flowers (Summer early, scented)
	Rubus cockburnianus		Shrub, Ground cover, Rounded - Bush	Non-flowering
	Sambucus racemosa 'Plumosa Aurea' Cut leaf Elder		Shrub, Container-friendly, Rounded - Bush	White flowers (Summer early)
	Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound' Bridal wreath, Spiraea		Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Spreading arching	White flowers (Summer)
	Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' Guelder Rose		Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Rounded - Bush	White flowers (Summer, scented)
	Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' Dwarf weeping willow		Tree, Shrub, Weeping - Tree	Non-flowering
	Cornus controversa Dogwood		Tree, Shrub, Rounded - Tree	White flowers (Summer early)
	Elaeagnus ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' Oleaster		Shrub, Hedging & Screening, Rounded - Bush	Non-flowering
	Cotinus coggygria Smoke tree, Venetian sumach		Tree, Shrub, Rounded - Bush	Dark pink flowers (Summer late)