What flowers can I grow in heavy clay soil for cutting?
By Hazeyboo
Northamptonshire,
United Kingdom 
I've just taken over a small allotment plot which is VERY heavy clay soil. Whilst I know I can improve it I've looked at the plots around and this will take years to achieve anything even vaguely reasonable. So, what can I grow in this soil that will give me flowers for the house next summer/autumn? South Midlands (Northamptonshire) but in a stream valley which is a notorious frost pocket.
12 Jul, 2009
Answers
OK, so it's dig holes and fill them with decent stuff. Any ideas of what to put in the holes?
12 Jul, 2009
I have heavy clay & the gladioli don't seem to mind.:0)
12 Jul, 2009
Roses love clay soils. As for perennials:
Delphiniums
Persicaria
Aruncus dioicus
Aconitum
Centaurea macrocephala
Helianthus
Campanula lactiflora & others
Inula
Macleaya cordata
Sanguisorba canadensis
Rudbeckia fulgida
Aster x frikartii
Aquilegia
Will that do for a start? I hope it helps. :-)
12 Jul, 2009
cool
12 Jul, 2009
sounds more than just a bit heavy clay but hay ho
12 Jul, 2009
You lot are just wonderful.
Fluff. I will definitely have gladioli - just love them indoors they last so long.
Spritzhenry. Delphinium and roses, yes. Some of the others on your list I don't know but can look up. How good is aquilegia as a cut flower? Never tried it. Thanks so much for the inspiration - all the "old boys" around seem to be of a more traditional bent when choosing what to grow.
Anyone know if lavendar will cope with those conditions? Am off for a couple of days but will pick up any comments when I get back on Wednesday.
12 Jul, 2009
well i would get an alround couple of grow bags or some topsoil and make some pockets for other plants that dont like clay.unless allen titshmarsh is wrong ofcourse.you can have the best of bothe worlds.if your soil is realy heavy clay its possible you could dig a natural pond that keeps itself filled and have even more plant types and wildlife
13 Jul, 2009
Lavender - sorry, no. It wouldn't like having its feet wet - it's from a dry country, after all!
Aquilegia - it's a country garden flower and I don't see why you shouldn't cut some? It would look pretty in a vase!
The Rudbeckias would look great - bright yellow daisies!
13 Jul, 2009
Thanks Spritzhenry for removing any hopes of harvesting lavendar!! But the rose hips will be good for the vitamin C.
13 Jul, 2009
I thought you wanted to cut them, not eat them? LOL.
13 Jul, 2009
You mean I can't have my cake and eat it? LOL
PS to me - must put up a photo instead of this tree with a question mark!
15 Jul, 2009
i know its a pain but i would bight the bullet and dig some sand and decent top soil in.even if you do pockets of good soil for the individual plant.
12 Jul, 2009