Medium to Tall Perennials for Heavy Clay Soil
MANY OF THE MORE ROBUST perennials are tolerant of heavy clay soils. Some have densely fibrous rootstocks, others are deep-rooted, allowing them to survive so long as their site is not waterlogged. The following perennials, all 1-2m (3—oft) tall, will do even better in these conditions if drainage can be improved by adding coarse grit and compost.
GOATSBEARD
An impressive perennial forming a bold clump of large, much-divided, fern-like leaves, with equally attractive plumes of frothy, creamy white summer flowers.
BUGBANE
A handsome perennial with tall, branched spikes of tiny white flowers that rise over the large, bold clumps of deeply divided, fern-like leaves during autumn.
DELPHINIUM
No perennial border on clay soil should be without a delphinium. This one produces neat, semi-double, light violet flowers, with fawn-colored eyes, in summer.
MONKSHOOD
This stout perennial has deeply divided, sharply toothed; dark green leaves and bears branched heads of helmet-shaped, blue and white flowers during summer.
CENTAUREA
Throughout summer, large, chunky heads of golden yellow cornflowers, with shiny brown bracts, top the erect, leafy stems of this striking, clump-forming perennial.
Atropurpureum
The domed heads of pink-purple flowers, loved by butterflies and bees, are borne by stout, erect clumps of purplish, tall, leafy stems in summer and autumn.
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