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consider elm as a shade tree.

-Hawthorn: Also called the May Tree, Hawthorn comes in many ornamental varieties.

-Willow: Both native willows and pussy willows will do well in clay, especially in low, damp areas.

Shrubs:
-Arborvitae: Keep this shrub trimmed yearly to keep it in good shape. While it's often used as a hedge, it will not live as long as laurel or yew.

-Azalea: Be sure to get hardy varieties that are intended for outdoor planting, rather than hothouse azaleas.

-Cotoneaster: This berry-bearing shrub grows enthusiastically on most soils, including clay.

-Lilac: This old-fashioned favorite with its sweet-smelling blossoms is usually grown as an individual shrub, but consider using it as a hedge as well.

-Forsythia: Forsythia, a spring favorite with its brilliant yellow blossoms, flourishes on clay soil. Prune after flowering to keep the shrub in shape.

-Ninebark: This North American native is good for partial shade, and can take both clay soil and dry conditions.

-Ocean spray: Another North American native that grows along the edges of woodlands. It bears sprays of tiny white flowers in early summer.

-Oregon grape: A North American native that resembles holly, but usually does not reach more than five feet tall. It bears yellow blossoms and blue berries that can be used to make jelly and are good food for birds.

-Potentilla: This shrub comes in many varieties, most of them bearing yellow or pink blossoms.

-Pyracantha: For a low, thorny hedge to keep the neighbor's dogs out, pyracantha - also called firethorn - can't be beat. The brilliant red berries add color to the winter garden.

-Redtwig dogwood: This North American native is more disease-resistant than other dogwoods, and prefers damp soil along ponds or stream banks.

-Rhododendron: With its huge clusters of brilliant flowers in the spring and summer, rhododendron puts on a show while in bloom and provides a dark green backdrop for perennnials later.

-Roses: Heirloom roses and Rugosa roses have robust root systems that can plow through clay soil with impunity. Even fussier Tea roses can do fine on clay.

Perennials:
-Aster: Most species of asters can grow practically anywhere.

-Bee balm: Also called Mondarda, this attractive herb will flourish on clay.

-Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): These cheerful prairie natives are well-adapted to clay soil.

-Butterfly weed: If your soil tends to stay damp, you can grow this brilliant member of the mallow family.

-Coreopsis: Experiment with Coreopsis to see what variety does well in your garden.

-Daylilies: Most daylilies aren't fussy and will grow on just about any kind of soil.

-Echinacea: Purple coneflower is a prairie native that does well on clay.

-Foxglove: If left to itself, foxglove will re-seed fairly well on clay.

-Hollyhock: While this old-fashioned perennial looks fussy, it actually performs well on clay.

-Hellebore: While helebores take a while to establish on clay, they will do very well over time.

-Goldenrod: Don't be afraid of allergies. It's ragweed, not goldenrod, that makes people sneeze. Give this prairie native a chance, and it will bloom happily on clay.

-Liatris: The fuzzy purple spikes of Liatris attract butterflies, while the robust roots can handle clay with ease.

-Monkshood: Also called aconitum, this perennial is a classic clay-lover. It is toxic, but only if eaten.

-Russian Sage: For dry clay in full sun, Russian sage (Perovskia) is a good choice. Its blue blossoms attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

-Salvia: Most sages, both culinary and ornamental, will do well on clay soil.

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