What to plant in Alkaline Clay soil (flowers, grow, Dogwood)

[Austinitegirl]

I am new to gardening, and would appreciate any advice.

I live in central Texas, and my soil is alkaline, clay, generally well drained, full sun. I'm trying to find good trees/shrubs to plant. I've already planted a Texas Red Bud and 2 Crape Myrtles - both good native Texas plants that are drought resistant.

I made the mistake of buying a Dogwood from my local major gardening chain store before realizing they will sell you anything - even if it doesn't grow well in the area.

I'm a fan of flowering trees and am thinking about a Saucer Magnolia or Jane Magnolia, but I'm getting conflicting reports online about their tolerance of alkaline soil.

Any thoughts or other suggestions??

Thanks in advance!!

[citydweller]

I am not familiar with the Magnolias but have had quite a bit of experience with heavy clay. My parent's yard has the worse soil I have ever seen! It is so heavy with clay that you can barely lift it out while digging a hole. Having said this amending the soil is the best alternative. I have planted a few Cleveland pears that so far are doing well. We dug out quite a bit of the clay and introduced some good dirt. I did the same for some azaleas are they are doing ok. For some flower beds I actually hauled in some good topsoil and the raised beds have done relatively well with perennials and annuals and such. Good luck!

[azoria]

In Austin you can grow live oaks, some varieties of red and white oaks, ginko trees, ash. Not dogwoods.

Shrubs that do well are nandinas, several varieties of Texas sage which flowers before the rain, oleanders, crepe myrtles, boxwoods, abelia--avoid all varities of Euonymous. Not azealeas.

Go to a decent reputable local nursery to find beautiful things that will grow in Austin. Eschew the junk at Home Depot.

[Austinitegirl]

Originally Posted by azoria

Eschew the junk at Home Depot.

And Lowe's

Thanks everyone! I do have a nearby local nursery - the ones who told me (in the nicest possible way) that I was an idiot to buy a Dogwood tree at Lowe's.