Well, about the time August rolls around I wish I had more shade in my garden. It's nice to be able to work outside without the sun beating down on my head. Plus, there are hundreds of plants that grow well in the shade including some delightful new cultivars of coralbells, lungwort and hosta. Get to know them. I also hear the groaning of the clay people.
Clay soils are a challenge.
They tend to stay wet longer than loamy soils and when they do dry they are difficult to wet. Clay is also more subject to compaction from traffic. Clay soils are easily abused, with a yard of bricks as the outcome. However, clay does not mean you can't have a beautiful garden. There are many places in the U.S. where clay is all they have, and they still have wonderful gardens.