Plants For The North Side Of House

Question

Are there any flowering plants which can thrive planted on the North side of my home? The soil is clay. Zone 5.

Answer 1

Plants for north side of houses include hydrangea, bleeding heart, hosta, lenten rose, caladium, Campanula poscharskyana, Geranium spp, Pulmonaria, Brunnera, astilbe, ferns, Liriope, wild ginger, jacobs ladder, bee balm, etc. All the seed and plant online retailers have lists of plants that do well in shade and clay. Or, just search for shade plants in zone 5. Avoid plants said to need well-drained or freely-draining soil. Clay is fertile and moisture retentive but brick hard if allowed to dry out. Be sure to use at least 2 inches of mulch and nest a couple inches of compost under each plant.