Best Shrubs for Clay Soil in Texas
If you've ever tried to dig in North Texas clay soil, you know how tough it can be. But clay soil doesn't have to limit your landscaping options. Many beautiful shrubs actually prefer or tolerate clay soil and thrive in our local conditions. Here are the best shrubs for clay soil in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Understanding North Texas Clay Soil
Much of the Dallas–Fort Worth area has heavy clay soil that drains slowly and can be difficult for plants. The key is choosing shrubs that are adapted to these conditions. Amending soil with compost when planting helps, but selecting the right plants from the start is the most important step. Clay soil actually retains nutrients well, so plants that can handle the drainage issues often thrive.
Planting in Clay Soil
When planting in clay, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Rough up the sides of the hole to prevent a 'bathtub effect' where water pools around the roots. Mix compost into the backfill soil. Plant slightly above grade (1–2 inches high) to improve drainage. Never add sand to clay — it creates concrete-like soil.
Recommended Plants
Clematis 'HF Young'
$16.96
Clematis 'Westerplatte'
$16.96
Clematis paniculata 'Sweet Autumn'
$16.96
Ficus repens
$12.51
Campsis radicans
$29.33
Clematis armandii 'Snow Drift'
$34.68
Gelsemium sempervirens 'Margarita'
$29.33
Lonicera sempervirens "Coral Honeysuckle"
$27.56
Passiflora e. 'Possum Purple'
$29.33
Vitis rotundifolia 'Carlos'
$29.33
Salvia m. 'Hot Lips'
$20.89
Chitalpa 'El Nino' PW®
$27.56
Hibiscus s. Blue Chiffon® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. Magenta Chiffon PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. Paraplu Violet® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. Purple Pillar® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. Red Pillar® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. White Chiffon® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s. White Pillar® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$29.33
Hydrangea p. Little Quick Fire® PW®
$29.33
Itea v. 'Fizzy Mizzy' PW®
$27.56
Lonicera 'Kintzley's Ghost' PW®
$35.56
Nerium 'Austin Pretty Limits' PW®
$27.56
Spiraea j. Double Play® Candy Corn® PW®
$27.56
Yucca 'Dragon Slayer' PW®
$27.56
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
$24
Callicarpa acuminata "Mexican Beauty Berry"
$24
Callicarpa americana
$22.22
Esperanza 'Gold Star'
$20.89
Galphimia glauca "Golden Thyrallis"
$22.22
Hydrangea q. 'Munchkin'
$27.56
Hydrangea q. 'Snow Flake'
$27.56
Hydrangea q. 'Snow Queen'
$25.77
Lagerstroemia 'Ebony & Ivory'
$22.22
Lagerstroemia 'Ebony Fire'
$22.22
Lagerstroemia 'Pocomoke'
$22.22
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Little Volcano'
$24
Leucophyllum 'Compacta' "TX Sage"
$22.22
Leucophyllum 'Greado' "TX Sage"
$22.22
Leucophyllum 'Heavenly Cloud' "TX Sage"
$22.22
Leucophyllum 'Lynn's Legacy Everblooming'
$22.22
Nerium oleander 'Hardy Red'
$20.89
Nerium oleander 'Light Pink'
$20.89
Nerium oleander 'Rose'
$20.89
Olea europaea 'arbequina'
$25.77
Prunus g. 'Rosea' "Flowering Almond"
$25.77
Rubus f. 'Arapaho' "Blackberry Thornless"
$24
Spirea c. 'Reeves'
$25.77
Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet'
$22.22
Vitex 'Shoal Creek'
$22.22
Acca sellowiana "Pineapple Guava"
$68.85
Chamaerops humilis 'Mediterranean Fan Palm'
$90.63
Chamaerops humilis var. 'Cerifera'
$105.58
Ehretia anacua "Anaqua"
$68.85
Eysenhardtia texana "Texas Kidney wood"
$76.10
Hibiscus s. Paraplu Rouge® PW® "Rose of Sharon"
$27.56
Hibiscus s.'Ardens dbl. Violet' "Rose of Sharon"
$63.43
Hibiscus s.'Pink Wine Center'
$63.43
Hydrangea q. 'Ruby Slippers'
$76.10
Lagerstroemia GreatMyrtle™ 'Cotton Candy'
$63.43
Lagerstroemia GreatMyrtle™ 'French Vanilla'
$63.43
Sabal minor
$90.63
Sophora s. "Texas Mountain Laurel"
$90.63
Ungnadia speciosa "Mexican Buckeye"
$68.85
Vitex 'Rock Steady' PW®
$76.10
Euphorbia a. "Candelilla" (8a)
$32
Hamelia patens "Dwarf Firebush"
$20.89
Iris versicolor 'Purple Flame'
$24
Justicia fulvicoma 'Mexican Plume'
$20.89
Malvaviscus d. 'Big Mama'
$20.89
Russelia x "Red Firecracker"
$20.89
COMBO Pepper Color Carnival
$18.67
COMBO Pepper Hocus Pocus
$18.67
Fern 'Holly'
$24
Mum Astral White
$11.62
Mum Hestia Hot Red
$11.62