Yikes. Rocky clay is definitely a challenge.

Apple trees and lilac bushes should be okay in clay soil, but maybe a better result would be wildflowers.

Once established a wildflower meadow can be lower maintenance. You will have to water to get established at first. You'll also have to burn or mow at least once a year or you will get weeds again.

If this sounds like something you'd like to try, go to the link and check out their wildflower mix for clay soils. At the very least, you'll get some ideas for perennials for your soil type. They also have information on maintaining the meadow once established.

Best of luck!

Heidi

Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Nursery

I have gotten seed from a good company in PA. See the link. I have also heard many good things about the company mentioned above.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ernst Seed

Thanks for the good suggestions. I'm hoping for some things taller than wildflowers. I'll look into this in the meantime.

Forsythia hedge. Cheap to start with cuttings from an established bush(-es). Perennial, and you get yellow flowers in early spring.

Some wildflowers can be pretty tall. I agree that forsythia is relatively easy to establish.

Yuck! Forsythia!

A well liked, over grown weed!

Be prepared for a lot of runners where you do not want them!