which plants would be best?

Hi there im new to this,

i was wondering if anyone would give advise on which plants suit a clay soil as most of my garden is full of clay like soil, ive been told roses are meant to be good but i ideally want plants that are low and wide spreading to cover  raised beds and side bits next to my decking any help would be appreciated

 im thinking next to the fence about putting a mix of honey suckle and clematis's just to make the fence look less harsh need suggestions to which plants would grow well in the clay like soil x

Hi Chellie I googled "plants suited to clay soil" you'll find lots of plants. I know my brother had clay soil and he had a great display with an ornamental rhubarb. I have one now they are a real statement plant, good for height in a corner

thanks weejenny never thought to put in in google search lol! ill need to look up ornamental rhubarb too

i can see lots of people viewing my post but not giving sny advise??x

I can recommend Geranium wallichianum Buxton's Blue aka Buxton's variety.  It's a low-growing hardy geranium that makes excellent ground cover, has pretty leaves and flowers continously from about June until the first frosts.  Also easy to grow from seed and comes true.  You should consider some evergreens, too, such as Euonymus fortunei, Viburnum davidii, Skimmia Japonica & Sweet Box, for example.  All of the above should be fine in heavy clay.

I think that ornamental rhubarb might grow a bit big for the bed in that photograph http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/rheum-palmatum-/classid.3531/?affiliate=bbcgwwebmay .  Your idea of clematis and honeysuckles growing up the fence should be fine - how much sun does it get there? You will need to take into account whether the plants you choose need sun or semi-shade.  Once you've got the sides of the raised beds built (and you'll need to get that done soon as if we get more heavy rain that bank will begin to wash away) you can put some trailing plants in that will soften the edges of the bed - lamiums and ajugas would look good, with some aubretia to give you flowers in the spring.  Bergenias would do well there too, and persicaria affinis - the ornamental knotweed would also be happy there.

Hi Chellie.

I have clay soil and have just dodged out between the showers - so pix are not the best but may help.

cematis "Foreever Friends" bought at Chelsea 2010 - I'm still too scared to chop down the stems after flowering. Even though they are semi snapped!

clematis "Niobe" - this year's growth as accidentally chopped it almost to ground level earlier in the year  

 crocosmia - they do tend to try and take over.

As you can tell, I'm only a novice gardener but I do try.

thankyou for all your replys has been very helpful  

chris ill have a little look into these ones you have suggested thanks alot

bobthegardener love growingplants from seed and my partner loves Geraniums so think thats a win win lol

loving your pictures though kathy give me hope that i can grow things in the clay soil lol

thankyou for all your replys has been very helpful  

chris ill have a little look into these ones you have suggested thanks alot

bobthegardener love growingplants from seed and my partner loves Geraniums so think thats a win win lol

dovefromabove we are boxing in the sides as you were saying that way the raised beds will be secure and theres no chance of any mud/clay sliding all of your info has really helped and i will look into evreything you have all suggested thanks alot  also we usually get sun from 12 til 7pm  if this helps any? 

loving your pictures though kathy give me hope that i can grow things in the clay soil lol

Love to see an update at some point Chellie

Jenny

no worries jenny hopefully get raised bedding sorted this week and planting sorted wil put a picture up when done