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PlantSale Planting plan

Clay Soil Heroes

Heavy clay defeats a lot of plants, but these heroes cope with its poor drainage and seasonal wet, turning a problem soil into a thriving garden.

Plant list (172 plants)

# Plant Spacing Mature size Light Water
1 Weeping Bottlebrush
Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G.Don
5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
2 After Dark Peppermint
Agonis flexuosa 'After Dark'
5 m H × 4 m W Full Sun Low Water
3 Annabelle Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
1.5 m H × 1.5 m W Part Shade, Full Sun Moist / Regular
4 Anthony Waterer Spiraea
Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer'
1 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
5 Arrowhead
Sagittaria platyphylla
0.7 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
6 Bechtel Crabapple
Malus ioensis 'Plena'
5 m H × 4 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
7 Black Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra
6 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
8 Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
0.2 m H × 0.3 m W Part Shade, Full Sun Moderate Water
9 Blue Flax Lily 'Little Jess'
Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess'
0.4 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade Low Water
10 Bonica Rose
Rosa 'Bonica'
1 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
11 Boston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
15 m H × 8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
12 Bradford Pear
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
11 m H × 8 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
13 Breeze Flax Lily
Dianella caerulea 'Breeze'
0.6 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
14 Bristol Ruby Weigela
Weigela florida 'Bristol Ruby'
2 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
15 Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
0.7 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
16 Bronze Rambler Grevillea
Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler'
0.4 m H × 4 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
17 Brush Box
Lophostemon confertus
15 m H × 8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
18 Bulbine Lily
Bulbine bulbosa
0.4 m H × 0.3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
19 Bunya Pine
Araucaria bidwillii
35 m H × 12 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
20 Canna 'Bengal Tiger'
Canna 'Bengal Tiger'
1.5 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
21 Captain Cook Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Captain Cook'
1.5 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
22 Cassa Blue Flax Lily
Dianella caerulea 'Cassa Blue'
0.5 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
23 Chameleon Plant
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
0.3 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
24 Chinese Dwarf Bamboo
Bambusa multiplex 'Chinese Dwarf'
3 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
25 Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
12 m H × 10 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
26 Chinese Pistachio
Pistacia chinensis
12 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
27 Claret Ash
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood'
15 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Low Water
28 Claret Tops Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca 'Claret Tops'
1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun Low Water
29 Cleveland Select Pear
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
9 m H × 5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
30 Common Tussock Grass
Poa labillardierei
1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
31 Coppertop Viburnum
Viburnum odoratissimum 'Coppertop'
4 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
32 Coral Gum
Eucalyptus torquata
8 m H × 5 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
33 Creeping Boobialla
Myoporum parvifolium
0.1 m H × 2 m W Full Sun Low Water
34 Cumbungi
Typha orientalis
2.5 m H × 1 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
35 Double Knock Out Rose
Rosa 'Double Knock Out'
1.2 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
36 Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
0.6 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
37 Dwarf Lilly Pilly
Syzygium smithii 'Minor'
3 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
38 Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Adagio'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'
1.2 m H × 0.9 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
39 Dwarf Papyrus 'King Tut'
Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut'
1.5 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
40 Emerald Green Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'
4 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
41 Emerald Lustre Viburnum
Viburnum odoratissimum 'Emerald Lustre'
4 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
42 Endeavour Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Endeavour'
2.5 m H × 2 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
43 English Ivy
Hedera helix
20 m H × 5 m W Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
44 English Yew
Taxus baccata
6 m H × 4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
45 Euky Dwarf
Eucalyptus 'Euky Dwarf'
6 m H × 4 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
46 Eve Price Laurustinus
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'
2.5 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
47 Evergold Sedge
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
0.3 m H × 0.4 m W Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
48 Evergreen Giant Lilyturf
Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant'
0.6 m H × 0.6 m W Part Shade, Full Sun, Full Shade Moderate Water
49 Faulkner Box
Buxus microphylla 'Faulkner'
1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
50 Feather Reed Grass 'Karl Foerster'
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
1.5 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
51 Flower Carpet Amber Rose
Rosa 'Flower Carpet Amber'
0.6 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
52 Flower Carpet Coral Rose
Rosa 'Flower Carpet Coral'
0.5 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
53 Flower Carpet Pink Rose
Rosa 'Flower Carpet Pink'
0.6 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
54 Flower Carpet Red Rose
Rosa 'Flower Carpet Red'
0.6 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
55 Flower Carpet White Rose
Rosa 'Flower Carpet White'
0.6 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
56 Fountain Bamboo
Fargesia rufa
3 m H × 1.5 m W Part Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun Moderate Water
57 Freeman Maple
Acer ×freemanii
15 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
58 Freeman Maple 'Autumn Blaze'
Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze'
14 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
59 Fringed Wattle
Acacia fimbriata
4 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
60 Frosted Curls Sedge
Carex comans 'Frosted Curls'
0.4 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
61 Giant Timber Bamboo
Bambusa oldhamii
12 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
62 Gold Cluster Grevillea
Grevillea 'Gold Cluster'
0.4 m H × 2 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
63 Golden Bamboo
Phyllostachys aurea
6 m H × 4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
64 Golden Sweet Flag
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
0.3 m H × 0.3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
65 Goldflame Spiraea
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame'
0.8 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
66 Goldstripe Bamboo
Bambusa multiplex 'Goldstripe'
4 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
67 Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
0.6 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
68 Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Great Balls of Fire'
1.5 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
69 Green Gem Box
Buxus sempervirens 'Green Gem'
0.6 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
70 Green Globe Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca 'Green Globe'
0.8 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
71 Gymea Lily
Doryanthes excelsa
4 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
72 Hannah Ray Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Hannah Ray'
5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
73 Hop Goodenia
Goodenia ovata 'Gold Cover'
0.3 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade Low Water
74 Hot Pink Bottlebrush
Callistemon viminalis 'Hot Pink'
3 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
75 Irish Yew
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata'
5 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
76 Japanese Blood Grass
Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'
0.5 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
77 Japanese Water Iris
Iris ensata
0.9 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
78 Japanese Windflower
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
1.2 m H × 0.6 m W Part Shade, Full Sun Moderate Water
79 Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra
0.8 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
80 Kangaroo Vine
Cissus antarctica
6 m H × 3 m W Part Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun Moderate Water
81 Katie Belles Lomandra
Lomandra longifolia 'Katie Belles'
1.2 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
82 Kings Park Special Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Kings Park Special'
4 m H × 3 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
83 Knobby Club-rush
Ficinia nodosa
0.7 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
84 Knock Out Rose
Rosa 'Knock Out'
1.2 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
85 Kurrajong
Brachychiton populneus
12 m H × 8 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
86 Lady Di Bower Vine
Pandorea jasminoides 'Lady Di'
5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
87 Laurustinus
Viburnum tinus 'Lucidum'
3 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
88 Leyland Cypress
×Cupressocyparis leylandii
20 m H × 4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
89 Lilly Pilly
Syzygium australe
4 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
90 Lilyturf 'Just Right'
Liriope muscari 'Just Right'
0.4 m H × 0.4 m W Part Shade, Full Sun, Full Shade Moderate Water
91 Lime Tuff Mat-rush
Lomandra 'Lime Tuff'
0.4 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
92 Liquidambar
Liquidambar styraciflua
20 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
93 Little Jess Flax Lily
Dianella 'Little Jess'
0.4 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
94 Little John Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Little John'
1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun Low Water
95 London Plane
Platanus ×acerifolia
25 m H × 15 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
96 Louisiana Iris 'Black Gamecock'
Iris 'Black Gamecock'
0.9 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
97 Lucia Flax Lily
Dianella 'Lucia'
0.4 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
98 Luscious Water Gum
Tristaniopsis laurina 'Luscious'
7 m H × 4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
99 Manchurian Pear
Pyrus ussuriensis 'Manchurian'
12 m H × 8 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
100 Matted Pratia
Lobelia pedunculata
0.05 m H × 1 m W Part Shade, Full Sun, Full Shade Moist / Regular
101 Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus
0.15 m H × 0.3 m W Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
102 Morning Light Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'
1.5 m H × 1 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
103 Mrs Bradshaw Geum
Geum 'Mrs J. Bradshaw'
0.6 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
104 Nafray Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Nafray'
0.7 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
105 Nardoo
Marsilea drummondii
0.2 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
106 Native Bluebell
Wahlenbergia stricta
0.5 m H × 0.3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
107 Native Violet
Viola hederacea
0.1 m H × 1 m W Part Shade, Full Shade Moist / Regular
108 Nyalla Lomandra
Lomandra longifolia 'Nyalla'
0.9 m H × 0.9 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
109 Old Man's Beard
Clematis aristata
5 m H × 3 m W Part Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun Moderate Water
110 Ornamental Pear 'Aristocrat'
Pyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat'
10 m H × 6 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
111 Ornamental Pear 'Capital'
Pyrus calleryana 'Capital'
9 m H × 3 m W Full Sun Low Water
112 Pacific Giant Delphinium
Delphinium 'Pacific Giants'
1.8 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
113 Pale Rush
Juncus pallidus
1.5 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
114 Papyrus
Cyperus papyrus
3 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
115 Photinia 'Red Robin'
Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin'
4 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
116 Pickerel Weed
Pontederia cordata
0.9 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
117 Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
18 m H × 12 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
118 Pink Knock Out Rose
Rosa 'Pink Knock Out'
1.2 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
119 Plum Pine
Podocarpus elatus
10 m H × 5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
120 Poorinda Royal Mantle Grevillea
Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle'
0.5 m H × 5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
121 Powdery Thalia
Thalia dealbata
2 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
122 Purple Coral Pea
Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer'
3 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
123 Pyramidal Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis'
6 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
124 Red Ironbark
Eucalyptus sideroxylon 'Rosea'
18 m H × 10 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
125 Red Maple
Acer rubrum
12 m H × 8 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
126 Resilience Lilly Pilly
Syzygium australe 'Resilience'
5 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
127 Rheingold Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold'
1.5 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
128 Rice Flower
Ozothamnus diosmifolius
2 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
129 Rose Glow Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'
1.5 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun Low Water
130 Rosemary Grevillea
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
2 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
131 Rozanne Cranesbill
Geranium 'Rozanne'
0.5 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
132 Rubens Photinia
Photinia glabra 'Rubens'
3 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
133 Sacred Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
1.2 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
134 Shara Lomandra
Lomandra fluviatilis 'Shara'
0.5 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
135 Slender Weavers Bamboo
Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis'
7 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
136 Slim Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Slim'
3 m H × 1 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
137 Snake Vine
Hibbertia scandens
2 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
138 Snow in Summer
Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'
2 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
139 Snow Pear
Pyrus nivalis 'Snow Pear'
8 m H × 6 m W Full Sun Low Water
140 Snowball Tree
Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'
3.5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
141 Soft Twig Rush
Baumea rubiginosa
1 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
142 Spring Grove Cedar
Thuja plicata 'Spring Grove'
8 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
143 Summer Snow Flowering Gum
Corymbia 'Summer Snow'
6 m H × 4 m W Full Sun Low Water
144 Super Hedge Photinia
Photinia x fraseri 'Super Hedge'
4 m H × 2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
145 Swamp Foxtail
Pennisetum alopecuroides
0.9 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
146 Tall Sedge
Carex appressa
0.8 m H × 0.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
147 Tanika Mat Rush
Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika'
0.6 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Drought-Tolerant
148 Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet'
Eremophila glabra 'Kalbarri Carpet'
0.4 m H × 2 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
149 Tas Red Flax Lily
Dianella tasmanica 'Tas Red'
0.6 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
150 The Fairy Rose
Rosa 'The Fairy'
0.6 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
151 Thyme Honey-myrtle
Melaleuca thymifolia
1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moist / Regular
152 Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
10 m H × 5 m W Full Sun Low Water
153 Upright Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum crispatum
0.3 m H × 0.5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
154 Variegated Weigela
Weigela florida 'Variegata'
1.8 m H × 1.8 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
155 Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
15 m H × 9 m W Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
156 Water Gum
Tristaniopsis laurina
8 m H × 5 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Moderate Water
157 Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
0.3 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
158 Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
0.15 m H × 0.3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
159 Water Snowflake
Nymphoides indica
0.1 m H × 1 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog
160 Waterlily 'Attraction'
Nymphaea 'Attraction'
0.15 m H × 1.5 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
161 Waterlily 'Colorado'
Nymphaea 'Colorado'
0.15 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun Wet / Bog
162 White Anzac Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'White Anzac'
1 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
163 Wildfire Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Wildfire'
3 m H × 2.5 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
164 Willow-leaved Hakea
Hakea salicifolia
5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
165 Winter Rose Hellebore
Helleborus 'Winter Rose'
0.4 m H × 0.45 m W Part Shade, Full Shade Moderate Water
166 Wonga Wonga Vine 'Snowbells'
Pandorea pandorana 'Snowbells'
5 m H × 3 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
167 Wood's Pink Aster
Aster 'Wood's Pink'
0.4 m H × 0.4 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
168 Yellow Gum
Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea'
10 m H × 6 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
169 Yellow Spotted Emu Bush
Eremophila maculata 'Aurea'
2 m H × 2 m W Full Sun Drought-Tolerant
170 Yellow Wild Iris
Dietes bicolor
0.8 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Low Water
171 Zebra Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
1.8 m H × 1.2 m W Full Sun Moderate Water
172 Zebra Rush
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus'
1.2 m H × 0.6 m W Full Sun, Part Shade Wet / Bog

How to use this plan

  1. Mark out your bed and set plants out (still in pots) using the spacing column.
  2. Place taller and wider plants to the back or centre, lower plants to the front or edges.
  3. Group by light and water needs so each plant gets the right conditions.
  4. Plant, mulch, water in well — then tick each plant off as you go.
Bed location
Date planted