South African Planting Manual: Tips for Growing Plants in Clay Soil
Clay soil is a great option for gardeners in South Africa due to its fertility and moisture retention abilities. Although challenging to work with, clay soil can be transformed into an ideal growth medium for a variety of plants. Here are some suggestions for vegetables, flowers, trees, and small plants that will thrive in clay soil:
Vegetables:
Beetroot, Swiss chard, carrots, onions, and grain crops grow well in clay soil, while potatoes are best suited to other soil types.
Flowers:
Encourage colour and life in your garden by opting for flowers like Crane Flower (Strelitzia), Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica), Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia), Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon), Bugle Flower (Ajuga reptans), Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea), and Heartleaf Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia).
Small Plants:
Clay soil plants in South Africa
Choose small plants that can thrive in heavy clay, such as Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans), Dead Nettle (Lamium), Australian Violet (Viola hederacea), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium x bellum 'E. K. Balls'), and White Mexican Rose (Echeveria elegans).
Anastrabe integerrima, Dichrostachys cinerea, Galpinia transvaalica, Heteromorpha arborescens, Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Anisodontea scabrosa, Buddleja salviifolia, Dodonea viscosa var. angustifolia, Dyschoriste thunbergiiflora, Eriocephalus africanus, Felicia muricata subsp. muricata, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, Chlorophytum saundersiae, Dimorphotheca ecklonis, Dimorphotheca jucunda, Hebenstretia species, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Pelargonium reniforme, Plectranthus verticillatus, Scabiosa africana incisa columbaria hybrids, Cotyledon orbiculata, Thorncroftia longiflora, Chaenostoma cordatum, Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans), Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia), Sorrel (Oxalis), Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon), Dead Nettle (Lamium), Australian Violet (Viola hederacea), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium x bellum 'E. K. Balls'), Bugle Flower (Ajuga reptans cultivars), White Mexican Rose (Echeveria elegans), Gazania (Gazania krebsiana), Heartleaf Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia), Lilyturf (Liriope), Spider Wort (Tradescantia virginiana), Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis), Chinese Ground Orchid (Bletilla striata), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Bush Lily (Clivia miniata), Inca Lily (Alstroemeria), Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea), Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea), Japanese anemone (Anemone), Wild Irises (Dietes), Michaelmas Daisy (Aster novi-belgii), Arum or Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), Cherry Pie Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), Chinese Forget-me-not (Ceratostigma willmottianum), Oregon Grape (Mahonia), Roses, Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis), Plume Flower (Justicia carnea), Crane Flower (Strelitzia), Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica), Japanese Spindle Plant (Euonymus japonicus), Allamanda (Allamanda species), Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii), Escallonia (Escallonia), Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora hybrids), Laurustinus Viburnum (Viburnum tinus 'Lucidum'), Mirror Bush (Coprosma repens), Weigelia (Weigelia florida), River Indigo (Indigofera frutescens), Cape Rattle-pod (Crotalaria capensis), English Holly (Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'), Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronaries), Bottlebrush (Callistemon), Firethorn (Pyracantha), Australian Brush Cherry (Syzygium paniculatum), Revolution Gold (Melaleuca bracteata)
Trees:
Suitable trees for clay soil include Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), and various Eucalyptus species. Be sure to verify suitability for local conditions.
To improve clay soil, incorporate organic matter like compost, manure, or leaf mold, and consider adding sand for better drainage. Choosing plants that are adapted to clay soil conditions is crucial to create a thriving garden.
Incorporating care for small plants like Creeping Mazus, Dead Nettle, Australian Violet, Blue-eyed Grass, White Mexican Rose, and others into your home-and-garden lifestyle can result in a vibrant garden even in heavy clay soil. By selecting suitable trees such as Swamp Cypress and Silver Birch for your landscape, you can create an aesthetically pleasing and sustainable lifestyle that embraces plant care in clay soil.
