Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every garden was filled with nutrient-rich, well-draining, loamy soil?

Unfortunately, that can’t always be the case.

You’re sure to find some that will become your garden favorites.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Butterfly Weed Plant, Ontario, Canada

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Most of them tolerate clay and other less-than-ideal soils.

These perennial plants can be cut to the ground after flowering to promote strong new growth.

Space asters well for good air circulation to help prevent foliage diseases.

aster

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A native plant to North America, it is tolerant of clay and poor soils.

As a bonus, the plants areresistant to damage by rabbitsand deer.

Red bee balm in garden

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The most popular one in the United States isB.

davidii,which has naturalized.

There are both evergreen and deciduous species with evergreen species occurring in tropical areas.

Monarch butterfly perched on a blue butterfly bush flower.

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The plant grows easily from seed, but does not transplant well due to its deep taproot.

The native species grows freely in dry prairies with rocky to sandy-clay soils.

The daisy-like blossoms appear in early summer with a cone-like center surrounded by petals.

pink echinacea coneflower

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The plant has a clumping habit that can be divided in the spring.

Deadhead spent flowers to extend the blooming season.

Once established, it is drought-tolerant and grows in every bang out of soil.

Catmint - Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’.

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After the first bloom, cut back the fading flowers to encourage new growth and flowers.

Daylilies form clumps with long graceful leaves and stalks that produce multiple blooms.

The old-fashioned single orange and yellow varieties have been hybridized into a rainbow of colors and bloom forms.

Daylily

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Daylilies are at their most stunning in mass plantings.

If you deadhead the plants, you’ll have even more blooms.

It is a very forgiving plant that tolerates poor, dry soils, clay, and drought.

Goldenrod

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The plant naturalizes quickly in the garden from seeds and rhizomes.

It does not like wet roots or heavy clay soils.

Blooming in the summer, the plant has aromatic leaves, flowers, and dried seed heads.

Bright purple lavender in full bloom in the garden, summertime, England.

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To keep it healthy, cut it back yearly and remove the flower spikes after the bloom has faded.

In addition to the aromatic leaves, the tiny blue, purple, or white flowers are beautiful.

The plants are easily rooted and transplanted.

Rosemary

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Once the blooms are gone, prune the plant severely to encourage dense foliage growth.

The blooms attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds and American goldfinches enjoy rosemary seeds.

Early spring pruning encourages flowers on new growth and will increase the size of the flowers.

closeup of pink and purple double petaled rose of sharon flowers with green leaves and brown stems

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The showy single or double flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

The growing habit is low and upright and spreads easily along the ground.

Sedum is a perfect choice for rock gardens, sloping hillsides, and as a ground cover.

yellow sedum

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Most varieties are cold-tolerant.

Spiraea require little care except regular pruning to maintain the shape you desire.

From low-growingViburnum davidiito the tree-likeViburnum lentagooften called Nannyberrythere is a viburnum for your garden.

Closeup of spirea bush with white flowers that have yellow centers.

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To get the best blooms and winter fruit displays, plant several male and female plants for good cross-pollination.

Viburnums can serve as hedges, foundation plants, or natural screens.

It is generally drought tolerant, prefers full sun, and should never be overfertilized.

Burkwood Viburnum

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Summer blooms are flat-topped, and deadheading will encourage more blooms to appear.

The foliage is feathery and aromatic.

The plant is perfect for borders, cutting gardens, and pollinator gardens.

Cluster of purple flower heads of a yarrow plant

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The flowers dry easily for autumn arrangements.