Clay Soil, what can I plant

First problem I've got...

I want to run some climbers up mine and my neighbours dividing fence, normal 6ft high panel fencing. several problems, firstly the border is pretty narrow, only around 10 inch's wide, I can't widen it due to having cemented in edging curbs and a lawn level that sits higher than these! Long story and it wasn't me!

The other problem is the soil is clay, pretty heavy clay and I'm not sure how far I can dig down or how much well rotted manure I can dig into the soil here..

I was hoping to get a winter Jasmine and a Winter honeysuckle here, then for summer colour run either sweatpea's or climates through these..

So my questions are...

1. Will using well rotted manure work to improve the soil or should I be looking at something else
2. Will these plants survive in a heavy clay soil, with the above improvements (or other suggested improvement)
3. If not what other plants could I use to provide cover here

Ideally I want to have along this fence something that will give colour all year around or as much as possible over the year.

 

Welcome to GC Ellie. I don't think ten inches wide will be a problem as long as the depth is there for the roots. The only problem would be in the future if you decided you no longer wanted a particular plant, it's going to be very difficult to remove it when it's matured.

For clay I would dig in a mixture of manure and sand or grit to help keep the soil open for drainage.

I don't see why your chosen plants shouldn't survive and there are other climbers like Clematis too, some of which will bloom around the winter months.

 

Hi Ellie and welcome to GC.Well rotted manure is good for clay soils as we have had to use that on our garden.

Can I also mention that if you can get some wood ash possibly from bonfires etc and dig that in to the soil that will also help as will leaf mould although with leaf mould it won't add a lot in the way of nutrients in to the soil.

There is a climbing Hydrangea that is a good climber and will add colour.I have a winter flowering clematis that climbs up our garage wall and the bees that come out in the winter love feeding on the flowers so you might want to try these as well as the ones you have chosen.

 

Thanks all

Glad that I'm heading in the right direction concerning various plants, did pop out to a garden center,that used to be reasonably priced, but in the last several years they've have made improvements and it seems that they now see themselves as being in league with high end brand names... With prices to match..

They had about two types of honeysuckle all early flowering, and one type of Jasmine again not the one I want :( I checked out the Clematis's but again all early flowering no winter ones... I looked at the prices of their containers, tubs etc..

So apart from picking up some well rotted manure, came away empty handed, so will be taking a look at on-line suppliers

 

+1 on Roses. I have a climbing rose that has gone mad in really rubbish clay soil. Also a good deterent for people trying to get into your garden too.

 

The best results I have had in my garden (heavy clay) are where I have dug it deep (so called Double Digging, which is two spades' depth, and the lower sub-soil NOT layer mixed with the higher top-soil layer). The improvement in drainage and root-run has meant that those plants have got away really well ... whereas the areas where I just dug conventionally, one spade's depth, and nothing like as good.

Incorporate plenty of Organic matter too ...

 

Humm, not sure about roses, just taken on out of there, because even after being pruned right back, it still grew lanky and looked a awful specimen indeed,

If I went down this route, could any of you suggest one or two, that also have a good scent to it, as I do want the garden not have smell as well as colour to it.

But now have well rotted manure to dig in, so hopefully if the weather holds I can get this done on Wednesday or Thursday my days off..

 

The two varieties we planted we choose by walking around the nearest Rose specialist's show-field, and they were chosen for colour, one-short and one-tall for front/back of the rose garden, and more importantly: for pong!

Just Joey
Chandos Beauty

 

Can I remind members please that Ellie's border is only ten inches wide. Not the ideal place for roses or any plants that may need to be removed at a later point.

 

Thanks Sheal. A 10" border needs a completely different approach - although I'm a bit stumped for what that might be ...

 

I think shrubs apart from some climbers are a non-starter to be honest. Taller plants like Lupins, Delphiniums, Hollyhocks would serve well during the summer but it's going to be difficult to find something for all year round.

 

I'd go for a jasmine then. My one flowered this year and it was a lovely scent to walk by.

 

Well I've completed the most important part, digging in well rotted manure, not the easiest task, didn't quite get a proper double dig on it, but wasn't far off though.

So now off to the garden center (different one) to see if I can gleam any idea's....