Have Wet Soil? No Problem!
by Amanda
Do you have a hard-to-plant area that has poorly-draining soil?
Turn this troublesome spot into a colorful landscape feature by planting Perennials and Bulbs that thrive in wet soil. Whether you have an area with runoff from a roof or an area next to a body of water, there are plenty of options for you to turn this into a gorgeous focal point of your garden!
Perennials That Thrive in Wet Soil
There are several varieties of perennials that not only tolerate wet soil but also create a burst of color all season long, year after year in the garden. Siberian Irises are one of the easiest Iris to grow and are extremely hardy, making them a dependable plant for any wet spot.
Bonus: These exquisite Irises also attract butterflies to the garden!
![Woodland Wildflower Collection]()
The Woodland Wildflower Collection includes 6 varieties of beloved plants found in the woods of North America. Blooming in the spring as the sun peeks through the tree canopy, each v...
Learn MoreWoodland Wildflower Collection Woodland Wildflower Collection$78.98 Sale $59.23Per Collection of 18The Woodland Wildflower Collection includes 6 varieties of beloved plants found in the woods of North America. Blooming in the spring as the sun peeks through the tree canopy, each variety will provide rich foliage in summer and autumn as they spread and naturalize. Includes Virginia Bluebells, White Trillium, Dwarf Crested Iris, Jack in the Pulpit, Bloodroot, and Dutchman's Breeches.![Hosta Variegated Mix, Plantain Lily]()
The Variegated Hosta Mix combines color-coordinated shades of green, yellow and white, making an attractive, tapestry-like groundcover for shady areas. Known for their tough, easygoi...
Learn MoreVariegated Hosta Mix Variegated Plantain Lily Mix Hosta Variegated Mix$11.99 Sale $8.99Per Bag of 3The Variegated Hosta Mix combines color-coordinated shades of green, yellow and white, making an attractive, tapestry-like groundcover for shady areas. Known for their tough, easygoing ways, hostas are an ideal choice for poor soils and weather-prone areas and will spread and multiply if you let them. One of the most low-maintenance perennials you can choose! (Hosta)![Celandine Poppy, Stylophorum diphyllum]()
Bring cheer to your summer garden with the native Celandine Poppy (also known as the Wood Poppy). Blooms are sunny-yellow with frilly centers, offset by beautiful blue-green foliage....
Learn MoreCelandine Poppy Celandine Poppy Stylophorum diphyllum$13.32 Sale $9.99Per Bag of 3Bring cheer to your summer garden with the native Celandine Poppy (also known as the Wood Poppy). Blooms are sunny-yellow with frilly centers, offset by beautiful blue-green foliage. Will thrive in part to full shade, where its low-growing habit makes for an excellent groundcover. (Stylophorum diphyllum)![Mophead Hydrangea All Summer Beauty, Hydrangea macrophylla All Summer Beauty]()
'All Summer Beauty' Hydrangea is a compact, long-blooming mophead variety that produces big, bouncy flowers on 4 ft shrubs. Because it blooms on both new growth and old wood, flowers...
Learn MoreAll Summer Beauty Mophead Hydrangea Mophead Hydrangea All Summer Beauty Hydrangea macrophylla All Summer Beauty$18.65 Sale $13.98Per Plant - 3.5" Pot'All Summer Beauty' Hydrangea is a compact, long-blooming mophead variety that produces big, bouncy flowers on 4 ft shrubs. Because it blooms on both new growth and old wood, flowers will form throughout the season, even after a harsh winter - which can be the undoing of other hydrangeas. Known for its bright blue blooms in acid soils, expect to see shades of pink and purple where the ground is more alkaline. (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Additional Moisture-loving Perennials
- Ligularia The Rocket is a great choice for moist, shady gardens and illuminates with bright yellow flower spikes that attract hummingbirds.
- Spiderworts are hybridized from a wildflower with the wild form of this unique three-petaled flower usually purple. The foliage is lily-like, forming a clump of glossy green. They naturally grow along streams, so give them plenty of water and some shade.
- Hydrangeas are famous for their large, ball-shaped blooms that add elegance and charm to the summer garden. They can also be planted in wet soil.
- Hardy Hibiscus are extremely easy to grow. All they ask for is full sun, decent soil, and some pruning once in a while. They leaf out very late in spring, so don't think they're dead and chop them down. Be patient, and in a few weeks you'll have attractive foliage and soon thereafter a summer full of spectacular blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Bulbs that Thrive in Wet Soil
Many Summer-Blooming Bulbs tolerate wet soil and add unique, gorgeous color and foliage to the garden. If you're in an area that doesn't receive frost, these bulbs will act as perennials. However, if you receive hard frost during your cold months, you'll want to dig them up for the winter.
Learn more about how to store your bulbs over the winter
Elephant Ear Bulbs create a dramatic, whimsical look both planted in the garden and in containers. Huge, unique foliage is beautiful on its own or planted as a backdrop for your favorite blooms.
Canna Lily Bulbs ignite the late season garden with huge, boldly-colored blooms that last for weeks and weeks. These beauties are also extremely easy to grow.
Calla Lily Bulbs are another gorgeous choice, thriving in wet soil and creating an elegant statement both in the garden and cut for summer bouquets.
![White Florist Calla Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Florist Calla Lily]()
'White Florist' Calla Lily is the original Calla from South Africa, where it made its home in the wet soils of stream banks. Here, it's famous for its pristine, white blossoms that a...
Learn MoreWhite Florist Calla Lily White Florist Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopicaAs low as $11.99 Sale $8.99Per Bag of 1'White Florist' Calla Lily is the original Calla from South Africa, where it made its home in the wet soils of stream banks. Here, it's famous for its pristine, white blossoms that are taller than other callas, at up to 3'. The perfectly-fluted flowers are an essential addition to bouquets. Plant 'White Florist' in a big pot on your patio, give it plenty of water and stand back! (Zantedeschia aethiopica)![Richard Wallace Canna Lily, Canna Richard Wallace, close up of yellow flower]()
Richard Wallace Canna Lily is a garden favorite with sunny yellow blooms, often speckled with red-orange flecks in the throat, and tropical lime green foliage. Blooming from mid-summ...
Learn MoreRichard Wallace Canna Lily Richard Wallace Canna Lily Canna Richard WallaceAs low as $15.99 Sale $11.99Per Bag of 3Richard Wallace Canna Lily is a garden favorite with sunny yellow blooms, often speckled with red-orange flecks in the throat, and tropical lime green foliage. Blooming from mid-summer through fall, Cannas attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Pant for a lovely display along the back of a border, along a wall for a dramatic display, and thrilling easy-to-grow containers.![Pink Elephant Tropical Plant Collection]()
The Pink Elephant Tropical Plant Collection combines Elephant Ears and Caladiums for bold foliage all season long. A dramatic combination of pink, green, white, and deep purple-black...
Learn MorePink Elephant Tropical Plant Collection Pink Elephant Tropical Plant Collection$56.98 Sale $42.73Per Collection of 7The Pink Elephant Tropical Plant Collection combines Elephant Ears and Caladiums for bold foliage all season long. A dramatic combination of pink, green, white, and deep purple-black provides plenty of contrast and style in gardens and containers. Mounds of heart-shaped caladiums make a lovely underplanting beneath the emergent stems of Black Coral Elephant Ear. Collection of 7 bulbs.![Pink Rain Lily Flowers Close Up, Zephyranthes]()
The darling, crocus-like blooms of Pink Rain Lilies are sweethearts of the summer garden. Popping out of the ground after summer rains, these tender perennial bulbs are pollinator fr...
Learn MorePink Rain Lily Pink Rain Lily, Fairy Lily Zephyranthes robusta Pink$13.32 Sale $9.99Per Bag of 25The darling, crocus-like blooms of Pink Rain Lilies are sweethearts of the summer garden. Popping out of the ground after summer rains, these tender perennial bulbs are pollinator friendly and as adorable as can be. Their clear pink blooms resemble miniature versions of their close cousin, the Amaryllis. (Zephyranthes robusta)
This season, turn that poorly-draining spot on your property into the fabulous garden that it deserves to be! What experience do you have planting in wet soil?
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