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Plants for clay soil on a steep slope

BernihigginsBernihiggins Posts: 4
in Plants
Hello, 

I was wondering if anyone knew what plants would grow well on a steep slope (water will probably run off) with very clay soil. The garden faces north / north west. What will survive? 

Style wise, cottage garden, preferably scented.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. 

Many Thanks, Bernadette 
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Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Pulmonaria, primroses, foxgloves, hardy fuschia, any spring bulbs you fancy, sweet cicely, vincas, japanese anenomes (probably). If it's not too windy and you don't have very limey soil, acers will grow there. Flowering cherries, probably, crab apples possibly. If you have acidic soil, rhododendrons and azaleas. Some hydrangeas.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Richard.jones89Richard.jones89 Posts: 59
    We've got VERY clay-rich soil (basically just clay...our street translates from Welsh as "clay pool close" to give you an idea), and in the ground we've got pygmy lavender, a rose Bush (not sure of the type sorry), some oriental lilies, an apple tree, daffodils and tulips. All growing very well and loving life.
  • BernihigginsBernihiggins Posts: 4
    Hello,

    Great suggestions so far. 

    Will the steep slope affect how the clay soil acts? I read that the rain doesn't soak into the soil on a slope, but does the clay soil counteract this? 

    Roses and apples definitely work (already have them), and I will look into cherry trees. Really looking forward to growing Japanese anemone, vincas and sweet cicily. Already a fan of foxgloves, bulbs and primroses. Nervous about putting any more lavender in the clay because the previous ones died/dying (probably unsurprisingly) does 'pygmy lavender' put up with it better, what is the varieties name?

    Thank you, Bernadette 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I've added a generous mulch onto my steep clay bank every year and it's really improved the conditions for plants and helps retain water.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • BernihigginsBernihiggins Posts: 4
    *also oriental lillies will be great thank you Richard. 
  • BernihigginsBernihiggins Posts: 4
    Hi wild edges,

    Your mulching idea sounds great. 

    Did you have to terrace your garden to make the mulch stay in place instead of sliding down to the bottom of the hill? I've not tried gardening the slope yet :S so I'm not sure how much 'roll factor' it has yet... 

    Thank you :) 
  • erikalessarderikalessard Posts: 2
    Has anyone actually found a solution to this issue? We also have a north-facing slope that is nothing but pure clay. We had to create it in order to reduce the pressure on our house that was caving in. It's existed for about 5 months and not a single plant has grown on it naturally.  I've done some pretty extensive research it seems but no one really has an answer for what to do regarding a ground cover or something that will be really successful. I'm thinking about putting wildflowers on it as I throw up my hands. I planted a few things that said they would tolerate it but we don't know yet if they will work since its fall and we have to wait till spring to see if these perennials will grow. Any help is greatly appreciated. This is the biggest gardening challenge I've ever had as silly as that sounds. Thanks and take care.

  • erikalessarderikalessard Posts: 2
    I should mention that I'm also very curious about the terracing question. I asked our excavator to Terrace and he seemed to think that would actually cause more problems with water but I think he may have been just tired of digging. I'm willing to slowly Terrace if I have to do it's a huge amount of work just to dig in this clay at all. I too am concerned that anything I put down including some form of lattice and topsoil will simply slide down to the ground. Thoughts?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just adding lots of organic matter is the best way to improve clay soil @erikalessard.
    Clay is an excellent growing medium if drainage is good. Well rotted manure is the best solution, and you can get it bagged in GCs and DIY stores etc.  :)
    If you have photos of your site, that will also help.
    Terracing a slope is a popular way of making an incline more useable, but any groundworks will cause compaction. However, that's normal even on flat ground, and the soil would still need amended.
    I've never gardened on anything else, and so have many other people on the forum. It just takes a bit of time, and and then choosing plants that are suitable for your climate.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • angel4gardeningangel4gardening Posts: 2
    Lots of manure or well rotted compost and grit to aid drainsge if it can be dug. Over time it should improve year by year.
    Have you tried periwinkle (vinca major) cultivated ivy for ground cover.
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