The Flowering And Fruiting Tree That Will Thrive In Clay Soil

Clay soils can be challenging for gardeners. When clay makes up more than a third of your growing medium, you can end up with poor drainage and excessive compaction. These problems can put the roots of many plants at risk of poor development or plant-killing rot. Fortunately, there are some beautiful plants that will thrive in clay soil. One of the best flowering trees to add a gorgeous focal point in your garden is the crabapple (Malus spp.). While most species of the moisture-loving tree prefer well-drained soils, they can tolerate poor drainage and compaction if they must.

If you live in the United States, two of the most widely available types of crabapple trees you can grow in your yard are the native sweet crabapple (Malus coronaria) and the non-native common crabapple (Malus sylvestris). Both are cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, and both can thrive in clay soil. These two crabapple varieties also produce edible fruits, though they're more often used to make preserves or cider rather than eaten raw.

In spring, these crabapple trees will be covered in showy pink or white flowers that will give way to tiny, attractive fruit by fall. However, the native sweet crabapple has more fragrant flowers. It also has more wildlife value. In addition to being a food source for birds and other wildlife, the nectar can feed native bees, including the threatened bumble bee. Meanwhile, the branches offer nesting sites and shelter for birds.

While crabapple trees are known for their adaptability, they still benefit from a little care and attention when planting. To start, pick a day when your soil is relatively dry. Digging in wet clay soil can cause the growing medium around the planting to become compacted, impacting root development and starving the young tree of its life essentials. 

Dig a generously sized hole so the young roots have plenty of loosened soil to grow through before they have to fight through more compacted areas. It should be at least twice as wide as the root ball. It's fine to dig the hole even wider than that, but make sure that it isn't deeper than the root ball. In fact, in clay soil, the top-most roots should be at or near the surface. Next, use your shovel to cut notches into the walls of the hole all the way around. This will give the roots easier access to the surrounding growing medium. When filling, make sure to break up clay soil and add about 10% to 20% compost to the mixture.

Since heavy clay tends to have poor drainage, water the crabapple less frequently than you would a tree planted in sandier or loamier soil. Always check the soil moisture level near the roots before watering. When you do water the crabapple tree, use a low-pressure setting on your hose and water slowly to prevent the water from running off rather than penetrating the substrate.