Plants for Clay Soil: Annuals and Bulbs
In this post I am adding annuals and bulbs to the list of
plants that thrive in clay soil and partial sun, and are native/Mediterranean,
drought-tolerant, and deer-tolerant. Annuals grow for one season, but often
reseed themselves and return season after season. Bulbs, corms, and rhizomes
typically bloom for a season, then go dormant and store up food for their next
blooming cycle. In either case, this is my kind of plant! Their flowers are
often showy and colorful.
Bulbs
-
Colchicum (Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron) – 4-12 inches, with 6
inch spread. Bold pink flowers that resemble crocus, with broad strap-like
leaves. Some bloom in spring, others in fall. The fall blooming types frequently
grow leaves in spring. Propagates from bulbs. No summer water. Native to the
Mediterranean and central Asia. Colchicaceae
family (but has been reclassified to the lily family).
- Dietes (Fortnight Lily) – 2-3 feet, with 2-3 feet spread. White
flowers that resemble iris, with patterns of yellow and lilac; evergreen,
iris-like leaves. Grows in sun or part shade, with little to no water. Deer
resistant. Native to Africa. I have several clumps of these and love their
blooms. They can grow with very little water, but produce more blooms with some
water. Propagates from rhizomes. Iridaceae
family.
- Freesia (Freesia) – 6-12 inches, with 6 inch spread. Spikes of
fragrant, tubular flowers on wiry stems, with leaves in a fan similar to iris.
Hybrid flower colors range from white, to yellow, lavender, purple, pink, red,
bright yellow, or orange. Propagates from corms. They like full sun, and do not
need water. Native to South Africa. I have a patch of these that have reverted
from strong yellow, to very pale yellow. They have a heavenly scent, and bloom
with Muscari. Iridaceae family.
- Hyacinthoides hispanica, sometimes sold as Scilla campanulata (Spanish Bluebells) – they grow in clumps as
the bulbs divide, with blue (sometimes white or pink) flower bells well-spaced
on strong upright stems to 18 inches. Blooms in March and April, with winter
sun and often after a good rain. Grows under deciduous trees and shrubs, and
propagates freely from bulbs and seeds. This Mediterranean plant is native to
the Iberian Peninsula. In my garden, they bloom in early spring, then dry up
and disappear during the dry summer months. Asparagaceae
family.
- Muscari spp. (Grape Hyacinth) – they grow in clumps as bulbs
divide, with blue or white flowers that resemble hyacinth on 8-12 inch spikes, with
slim, fleshy leaves. Blooms in early spring after the first rains. Full sun to
part shade with winter light, no summer water. Native to Mediterranean and
Asia. In my garden, they require no care. They start blooming in early
February, giving hope to the winter-weary gardener! Asparagaceae family.
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| Muscari |
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| Spanish Blue Bells |
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Annuals
-
Clarkia spp. (Clarkia)
– 12-30 inches, with 12-18 inch spread. Pink, white, purple, or red flowers
(single and double) that resemble California poppy. Small lanceolate leaves are
distributed on the stems. Propagate from seed in the fall to take advantage of
winter rain. Tolerates clay soil. Native to North and South America, including
California. C. rubicunda (herald of
summer) is from the Central Coast. Species is named after Captain William
Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame. Onagraceae
family.
- Gilia tricolor (Gilia, Bird's Eyes) – 6-12 inches, with 8 inch spread.
Small, blue-violet flowers with five petals and pale blue pollen; and feathery
palmate leaves. Blooms in spring and into summer. Propagate from seed in the
fall to take advantage of winter rain. Self-sowing. Does well with occasional
water. Native to western North America, including California. Polemoniaceae family.
- Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus
(Yellow Bush Lupine, Coastal Bush Lupine) – 1-2 feet, with 1-2 feet spread.
Clusters of yellow, lilac, or white flowers on tall spikes, with evergreen
leaves. Blooms in spring. Does well with occasional water. Native from
California to British Columbia. Fabaceae
family.
- Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist) – 12-18 inches, with 12 inch
spread. Blue flowers and distinctive papery seed pods. Blooms in spring, and
then dies back to the ground during the summer. Threadlike leaves, similar to
dill. Self-sowing. My gardening buddy, Ruth, gave me seeds from her garden. No water.
Native to Mediterranean. Ranunculaceae
family.
- Phacelia campanularia (California Dessert Phacelia) – 6-18
inches, with 6-18 inch spread. Deep blue, bell-shaped flowers in spring, with
narrow, coarsely-toothed, gray-green leaves. Flowers grow on one side of a
coil-shaped stem - resembling a scorpion tail. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Native to the California desert, so adapted for dry conditions (but does not
like frost). Hydrophyllaceae family.
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