Our front garden is southwest facing and relatively exposed too, with clay soil. We dug in some (but not tons of) grit and compost when we first started planting it one and a half years ago. Perennials that are doing well in it are: Salvias, penstemons, phlox, sedums, hollyhocks (biennial), dahlias. Even in this dry weather they are coping, with weekly watering. Neighbours in the same location also have some very nice mature hydrangeas growing (in full sun!), and obviously lots of roses too.
I also garden on heavy clay and have a "moveable" compost bin. At the moment it is in the vegetable garden, where the mangetout peas have finished and ben pulled up. That growth went straight into the bin and I add shredded paper, grass clippings, and then a layer of cardboard (broken into manageable chunks) before continuing with the green waste and kitchen waste of course. When the compost is sufficiently broken down I move the compost bin to another barren area. This way the ground where the bin has been is swell fed.
I also collect seed from neighbours, things which are doing well. Hollyhocks seem to be successful and can give a quick, tall display.
Hydrangeas don't do well for me - they need too much water and I only water the veg.plants.
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