Plants for clay soils

Perennials
Achillea (Yarrow)
Aconitum (Monkshood)
Alcea (Hollyhock)
Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle)
Anemone
Aster
Astrantia
Bergenia
Coreopsis verticillata
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Hardy Fuchsias
Geranium
Helenium
Hellebore
Hemerocallis (Day Lily)
Heuchera (not heavy clay)
Hosta
Iris sibirica
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Monarda (Beebalm)
Persicaria
Rudbeckia
Sedum
Solidago
Symphytum (Comfrey)
Verbena bonariensis
Vinca (Periwinkle)
 
Roses - All
 
Climbers
Clematis montana Rubens
Clematis viticella Polish Spirit
Lonicera (honeysuckle)

Shrubs
Berberis
Buddleia
Chaenomeles
Cornus
Cotoneaster
Deutzia
Escallonia
Euonymus fortunei
Hydrangea
Kerria
Lonicera nitida
Mahonia
Philadelphus
Potentilla
Pyracantha
Spiraea
Syringa (Lilac)
Viburnum
Weigela
 
Bulbs
Allium
Chionodoxa
Crocus
Muscari
Narcissus
Puschkinia
Scilla
 
Some of the above may not perform well in the heaviest clays. Clay soils can be improved with the addition of organic matter such as manure or bark, as well as grit and sand. Mulching around plants will reduce moisture loss in summer.