Drought-Tolerant Groundcover for Clay Soil

Groundcovers

• Groundcovers provide a number of benefits in the landscape. They prevent erosion both above and below ground with their spreading root systems and foliage. They also reduce weed growth and runoff. Drought- and clay-tolerant ornamental groundcovers include prostrate abelia (Abelia x grandiflora “Prostrata”), a semievergreen that spreads up to 5 feet wide. Prostrate abelia has lustrous, dark foliage and produces clusters of white summer flowers. It grows well in sun to partial shade and tolerates pruning. The deciduous crown vetch (Coronilla varia) tolerates drought, clay, infertile soil and even light foot traffic. This tough groundcover spreads quickly, covering up to 6 feet of space. It blooms with tiny pink, white and lilac flowers and has dark foliage.

Shrubs

• Some drought- and clay-tolerant shrub species and cultivars grow as groundcovers. The Kirilow indigo (Indigofera kirilowii) spreads to 4 feet wide and has dense compound-pinnate foliage. This deciduous shrub blooms with pink flowers in summer and has erect stems. Kirilow indigos grow quickly and prefer sunny sites. The fast-growing Hillier Chinese loropetalum (Loropetalum chinensis “Hiller Form”) has a spreading, horizontal branching habit. This evergreen has glossy dark foliage and tolerates drought, clay and severe pruning. It blooms with aromatic, white spring flowers.

Ornamental Grasses

• Ornamental grasses make effective groundcovers. These versatile plants require little maintenance and grow in a range of colors, shapes and sizes. Species that tolerate both clay and drought include ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea), a clumping species with white-green striped foliage. It thrives in light shade and tolerates wet, dry, clay and salty soil. Ribbon grass blooms in late summer with white and pink inflorescences. Beardgrass (Andropogon virginicus) also tolerates a range of site conditions, but require full sun exposures. This grass has upright, green foliage that turns red, purple and orange in autumn. It has an informal appearance and produces orange and silver inflorescences in early fall.

Thymes

• A few groundcovers in the Thymus genus tolerate clay and drought as long as their planting site is well drained. These include juniper thyme (T. leucotrichus), which grows to 8 inches tall and has aromatic foliage. This evergreen prefers sun to light shade and thrives in well-draining sites, even in clay soil. Juniper thymes bloom with pink flowers in midsummer. Creeping thyme (T. praecox) forms a low mat of fragrant, glossy, dark foliage. It blooms in summer with purple-pink flowers that attract bees. Common thyme (T. vulgaris) produces white-to-lavender flowers in late spring and has edible, fragrant foliage. It grows best in sun to light shade exposures.