Help. I can't Garden

[OhOfCourse]

But I really want to.

We have very very clay, thick soil.

Our bay leaf tree, grape tree have down really well. But I need some hardy plays which flower and don't need a lot of attention.

Any suggestions?

You could improve the clay soil by adding grit, compost and soil improver. Not a permanent solution, but would help the plants and from then on top dress with compost or composted bark.
Plants that do well in clay are roses and Hydrangeas. Both are relatively easy to grow and have long flowering seasons. As with all plants they do need a little attention from time to time.

Easy plants for clay soil are
Weigelia
Philadelphus
Forsythia
Clematis
Roses
Cotinius
Daphne
Cornus

This will give you year round colour. Clay is full of nutrients so is realative easy once the plants are established. Where abouts in the country are you? A lot of soil management also depends on rainfall.

Googling now! Thanks so much xx

definitely work on improving the soil over time, but that can be done just by piling on soil improver every year. If your clay is baked hard at the moment don't despair, it will soften up in the autumn when it rains again. because it WILL rain again, eventually!

@PurpleWithRed thank you! I didn't even know soil improver was a thing!

The whole compost/soil improver thing is a bit of a maze - you want to get hold of something like spent mushroom compost or rotted stable manure, try a local facebook gardening group for info on local sources of affordable stuff. Do NOT go for multipurpose compost or anything concentrated, it’s bulk you want. And don’t put anything on until it’s rained a bit or it will keep the rain out of your soil!

@PurpleWithRed oh no, what's wrong with multipurpose compost? I've just spread a load of it over my beds to try and improve the soil quality!

it's fine but its a very expensive option! It won't do any harm, but it won't add the bulk you need. Look for something like this www.thecompostcentre.co.uk/smallbags.html or this www.diy.com/departments/verve-horse-manure-soil-improver-50l-w-19-45kg/1586179_BQ.prd?rrec=true#icamp=recs. And if you are going to layer it on resist doing that until the ground is a bit moist. You don't need to dig it in if you put it on in the autumn, it will work its way in by magic.

I can’t garden either. I’ve gone with the “plant things that need zero attention” approach. Well apart from the big shrubs which just get a serious hair cut once a year. I once googled how to prune roses and then decided it sounded too much effort so I just chopped them all back. They’re still alive!

We don’t have clay soil so what I have may well not be suitable (I don’t even know if they’re suitable for my soil, I just like them!!) but we have:
Hydrangea
Buddleia
Roses
Irises
Crocosmia
Delphiniums
Foxgloves
Hollyhocks
Lavender
And loads of other stuff that I can’t remember the names for or I was given and they didn’t know it either! So far it’s pretty low maintenance. I’m thinking about trying to practise growing veg next year

Great advice and suggestions on here !

Whatever you do don't try planting or digging now ,as said leave until the autumn .

You are seriously wonderful people - thank you!!