Some plants thrive in moist, even wet, soils.
Wet spots in the garden can present a challenge. Too much moisture in the soil often displaces oxygen, which can suffocate plants. Inadequate drainage can lead to decreased growth and even plant death. However, many plants, from trees to annuals, can tolerate or even thrive in damp soils. Does this Spark an idea?
Trees
The green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a deciduous tree, grows up to 60 feet tall. This fast-growing tree thrives in wet to dry soils and can tolerate extended flooding conditions. The swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) also tolerates wet soil. This slow-growing deciduous tree reaches heights up to 60 feet. The sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana) can tolerate partially flooded to very wet soils. This evergreen tree grows up to 60 feet tall.
Other damp-tolerant trees include red maple (Acer rubrum), Washington hawthorn, (Crataegus phaenopyrum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) and bald cypress.
Shrubs
Deciduous shrubs for wet soils include the red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia). This 8-foot-tall shrub has red to purple fall foliage. The red osier or red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) also grows up to 8 feet tall. This deciduous shrub has bright red branches in winter. The inkberry (Ilex glabra) tolerates very wet to partially flooded conditions. An evergreen, the inkberry grows between 4 and 8 feet tall and is a member of the holly family. Other shrubs for wet soil include the Virginia willow (Itea virginica), Florida anise shrub (Illicium floridanum) and purpleosier willow (Salix purpurea).
Perennials
Perennials that can thrive in wet soils include the swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius). This perennial can grow up to 6 feet tall and produces large, yellow flowers with red- to purple-brown centers. The scarlet swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), also known as the scarlet rose mallow, thrives in damp soil. When established, this perennial can grow up to 7 feet tall. Scarlet swamp hibiscus produce 8-inch-wide, red flowers. Other perennials that thrive in wet spots include climbing aster (Aster carolinianus), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium dubium), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and Japanese water iris (Iris ensata).
Annuals
Few annuals can tolerate wet soils. Exceptions include the monkey flower (Mimulus alatus). This annual produces small, purple blossoms and grows up to 2 feet tall. Other annuals for damp soils include blue woodruff (Asperula orientalis), impatiens (Impatiens spp.), coleus (Solenostemon spp.) and pansies (Viola spp.).
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