Gravel pit part 2

Question

It has been over a year...no changes.  Still an ugly site, tree trunks, heavy thick clay.  Overwhelming to me!
I have been doing research on plants that like shade, wet clay, wet ' feet' .  These came up, I have no experience with them.
Have any of you had experience with the following plants in 'soil' (ha) like mine?
Goats Beard (Aruncus)
Sedge ( Carex )
Bane berry, bug bane ( cimicifuga )
Leopard Plant (Ligularia)
Palace purple Coral Bells ( heurecha)
Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra Cucullaria)

I live in zone 6.  North facing area, with hard clay, lots of tree roots.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

I'm not sure about the heuchera, but cimicifuga and ligularia definitely like moist spots. Another one that does is chelone. The best thing you can do for clay soil is to work in organic matter. Fine Gardening has an excellent article on dealing with the situation here: http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/improving-clay-soils.aspx?id=84074

Berniece Knotts · Answer

You might try an arrangement of containers. Or how about a raised bed or two. Then you could find the best area to improve the soil & work on it one small area at a time. I was taught 'don't fight the site.' I have an area next to the back fence where the neighbors trees & vines suck up all the moisture. I switched to big containers & yard art, which I enjoy!

Liliana Wells · Answer

What do your neighbors do with this type of soil? Doug, correct me if I am mistaken, but I read that in addition to organic matter, it would be helpful to add horticultural sand for drainage. Start a little at a time. Keep a compost heap for the organic matter and, in the meantime, I like Berniece's suggestion of large containers. You can keep one or two main features in the containers and add seasonal flowers, so they are always changing. Good luck. Please post pictures.

Susan Cryor · Answer

I have read about the sand, needs to be 'sharp' or I will be making cement ...which is what it is now.  Neighbors have been here for 20 plus years, they have amended, amended, composted, turned, mulched.  You get the picture, they have good, not great soil.  Problem is previous owners did nothing. I am approaching 63 and do not have 'years' nor, at this point patience.  I was reading about straw bale gardening yesterday....thought once I got the clay out to grade water away from the house....I could apply that concept to the entire area.  Seems a fast way to get to 'soil' that I can grow in.  ANY THOUGHTS ???   Someone suggested a pressure washer, I have been using the garden hose....

Rhonda B · Answer

If you want to change the soil some recommend adding Gypsum and organic matter to help break up the clay, but this will take time. As for your question about which plants would tolerate those conditions-all of them would work EXCEPT Heuchera and Dicentra. Believe it or not there are some great plants that would love this situation:-) Some of these plants-Gunnera, Impatiens pallida, Primula, Doronicum, Lobelia cardinalis, Rodgersia, Acorus, Astilbe, Hosta (if you ensure the crown is lifted), and some ferns such as Cinnamon and Ostrich.

Susan Cryor · Answer

Thanks Rhonda staying away from hostas....that is ALL there was here for plants 2 years ago....way too much
I planted them around the 40 plus pines we have....still dealing with the roots starting new plants!  You understand, I do not feel that I have a long time....spent 14 years amending and growing successfully everywhere in Maine with sand for soil.  I do not believe I have another 14 years to accomplish getting soil from clay.  Not  pestamistic .....just a realist!  I have ferns in Maine, love them, they are background to bleeding hearts, so beautiful!  Thanks again

Gravel pit part 2

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Gravel pit part 2

Suggested Project Book