Stephen Albert
There are climbing plants that can tolerate and grow in clay soil. Growing plants in clay soil is a challenge. Clay soil is slow to drain and dense. That makes it hard for plant roots to grow.
Choosing plants that can tolerate clay soil is one way to work around the clay soil challenge. Some plants are native to regions where clay soil predominates; they have an advantage over other plants.
Amending the soil with organic matter such as aged compost and manure is a good way to gain an upper hand on clay soil. Spread organic matter across planting beds at least twice a year.
When setting new plants into clay soil, dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the plant’s rootball and mix organic matter with the native soil as you backfill at planting time.
Here’s a list of climbing plants that will grow in clay soil.
Climbing plants that tolerate clay soil
| A-H Common Name | Botanical Name | Zones |
| Akebia | Akebia quinata | 4-8 |
| Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | 4-8 |
| Boston Ivy | Parthenocissus tricuspidata | 4-9 |
| Clematis | Clematis spp. | 3-9 |
| Climbing Hydrangea | Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris | 4-8 |
| Crimson Glory Vine | Vitis coignetiae | 6-9 |
| Dutchman’s Pipe | Aristolochia macrophylla | 4-8 |
| Euonymus Vine | Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ | 4-9 |
| Five-Flavor Berry | Schisandra chinensis | 4-7 |
| Golden Hop Vine | Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’ | 5-10 |
| Grape | Vitis vinifera | 7-10 |
| L-Z Common Name | Botanical Name | Zones |
| Hop Vine | Humulus lupulus | 5-10 |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera (some spp.) | 4-9 |
| Ivy | Hedera spp. | 6-10 |
| Kiftsgate Rose | Rose filipes | 4-9 |
| Passionflower Vine | Passiflora spp. | 6-9 |
| Silk Tassel Bush | Garrya elliptica | 7-10 |
| Sweet Pea | Lathyrus latifolius | 5-9 |
| Trumpet Creeper | Campsis spp. | 5-9 |
| Trumpet Vine | Distictus spp. | 4-8 |
| Wisteria | Wisteria spp. | 4-9 |
Also of interest:
