Wisconsin Plants for Clay Soil

• Most flowers and plants require good drainage. Soil with a high percentage of clay retains water and may rot the roots of many plants over time. Amending clay soil with sand and organic matter is advised but won't completely solve the problem. Choose plants that thrive in clay soil to assure a healthy garden. These plants must also tolerate the cold winters found in Wisconsin's USDA hardiness zones 3 through 5.

Aster

• Blooming from late summer through fall, the Aster fills the garden with color when many other perennials have faded. Ranging in size from 3 to 6 feet tall, asters bloom in shades of purple, white, pink, red and blue. These daisy-like flowers make an excellent cut flower for fall bouquets. Asters grow in full sun throughout Wisconsin and tolerate clay soil. The foliage is green with small, narrow leaves. Fertilize your aster in mid summer for a fall display of color, according to the University of Vermont Extension.

Black-Eyed Susan

• Black-eyed Susan is found throughout the United States. black eyed susan image by sharon from Fotolia.com

  A versatile annual in Wisconsin, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a native American wildflower that grows throughout the United States. Large, yellow petals surround a cone-shaped eye, giving this plant its name. These flowers bloom on a single stem from mid to late summer and make long-lasting cut flowers. Black-eyed Susan grows in full sun in diverse soil conditions, including clay soil. This plant will self-seed to return year after year.

Monkshood

• Growing up to 4 feet tall, Monkshood, (Aconitum) bears blue flowers on tall stalks from September to October. Monkshood thrives in moist conditions and tolerates clay soil in partial to full shade. White varieties of this plant are also available such as "Album," which produces white flowers in July and August. This herbaceous perennial tolerates frost well and thrives throughout Wisconsin.

Potentilla

• Potentilla is an easy-care perennial. potentilla image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com

  Also known as Bush Cinquefoil, Potentilla (Potentilla fruitcosa) is hardy throughout Wisconsin. This hardy perennial provides color in the garden for a long season. Yellow, white, orange or red five-petaled flowers bloom from spring until the first frost. Potential is drought and heat tolerant, growing in full sun. Potentilla grows to 4 feet high and wide and thrives in clay soil, according to Birds and Blooms.

Daylily

• Daylily (Hemerocallis) isn't a true lily, but is a tough herbaceous perennial that thrives in a wide range of conditions. Long, sword-like leaves arch away from stems containing large flowers. Each daylily flower blooms only for a day, but the plant produces flowers in such abundance, you'll have them all summer long. Flower colors include white, pink, red, orange, purple and many bi-color varieties. Daylilies grow in partial to full sun, according to the University of Minnesota. Remove seed pods to increase flower production in following years.