Soil rich in clay is heavy and drains poorly and slowly. That's because in this land microscopic particles combine very densely, leaving little space between them.

But on the other hand it is soil rich in nutrients that do not wash away when the soil drains. The roots of plants growing in this soil have to make a great effort to develop and capture oxygen.

So the best way to improve this kind of soil is to lighten it and favor drainage, allowing more space and oxygen between the particles. In order to do this we add a large amount of sand and other organic materials such as peat or coconut fiber and mix it with the clay-rich soil at a depth of 30 to 40 centimeters from the surface.

Plants appropriate for clay-rich soil
Here we point out some species that can withstand clay-rich soil. All you have to do is pick the one most appropriate for your garden.
1. Deciduous trees.- Oaks (Quercus robur) and willows (Sal�s sp.) can be planted on their own.
2. Connifers.- The Atlantic cedar, with its broad reach bluish-gray color, and the Leyland cypress or Leilandii (Cupressocyparis Leylandii), normally used� for hedges, withstand this kind of soil without problems.
3. Decidous shrubs.- Tatarian dogwoods with attractive red and orange branches in winter, and red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), with spectacular white flowers in summer, dark berries in autumn and dark green leaves, are perfectly suited for clay-rich soil. Crapemyrtle (Lagestromia indica) stands out for its attactive spotted bark, long pink or mauve blossoms in bunches in summer and the reddish color of its leaves in autumn.
4. Evergreen shrubs.- Photinias (Chinese photinia) and all species of cotoneasters and pyracanthas can be planted in groups or as shrubs to set off spaces. The former have a red color on their small branches and young leaves. In autumn, cotoneasters and pyracanthas form attractive orange and red berries.

Before choosing a plant, keep in mind the needs of your garden, its particular characteristics and the care the plant will need. This will assure they grow successfully.