Question
We have an area in our yard that is quite wet--especially during the rainy season. It is in partial sun, but mostly on the shady side. Do you have any suggestions for plants/trees/shrubs that would like these very wet conditions? Any plants that would help soak up some of the water? Thanks very much!
Amelia
San Francisco
Answer
Here are some suggestions for overly damp boggy areas. Please keep in mind that any soil you plant in should be heavily amended with a soil additive such as Sloat Planting Mix to keep as much air around the roots as possible. Also keep in mind that boggy areas are some of the least forgiving in the garden and the suggested plants may not work in your particular area. Severe yellowing, stunted growth and/or drooping will be early indicators of suffering plants.
Perennials/Bulbs: Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), Elephant Ears (Alocasia and Calocasia), Lobelia cardinalis, Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis), Spiderwort (Tradescantia), Hostas, Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia), Horsetail (Equisetum)
Ferns: Matteuccia, Athyrium, Woodwardia fimbriata
Grasses: Scirpus, Chondropetalum, Cyperus
Shrubs: Birch (Betula), Willow ( Salix)), Gaultheria, Huckleberry (Vaccinum
ovatum), Blueberry, California wax Myrtle (Myrica californica)
I hope this proves helpful and thanks for gardening with us.
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