Plant suggestions for clay soil

[catclarks]

I have two fairly small, partially shaded borders. The soil is more on the clay side. I've planted things in the past and hoped for the best but this time I'm taking a more measured approach. Can anyone suggest any plants that might grow well?

Roses love clay. Smaller patio type ones could work.

Primulas are happy in clay, see lots round here! Other things that grow happily in my garden are irises, bleeding hearts, paeonies, clematis, hellebores, Solomon’s seal, ferns.

For shrubs, lilac LOVES clay, as do hydrangeas. Viburnums are happy too, checkout viburnum plicata for a slow growing shrub- it’s beautiful. Tree paeonies also do well.

Thanks for all your suggestions. A wee trip to the garden centre is in order.

I have clay soil and the following have done really well

Rhododendrons
Lilac
Clematis Montana
Hydrangeas
Honeysuckle
Ivy
Forsythia
Buxus
Camelia
Golden leylandii
Viburnum
Acer
Roses

Daft question but how do you know what type of soil it is? Is clay clumped together more?

Try rolling a handful of soil into a ribbon shape and follow this chart:

https://osotech.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articleattachments/202682380/USDAAsoiltextureeflowchart.jpg

Picture from the link

@Ankhesenamun Thanks, will try that later.