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!

Create an enchanting summer garden with our Fireflies Forever Native Plant Collection. To enjoy the warm glow of blinking fireflies on a summer night, grow the meadow-style habitat o...
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Fireflies Forever Native Plant Collection Fireflies Forever Native Plant Collection
$74.65 Sale $63.99
Per Collection of 6

Create an enchanting summer garden with our Fireflies Forever Native Plant Collection. To enjoy the warm glow of blinking fireflies on a summer night, grow the meadow-style habitat of native plants that they need to thrive. Attractive shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers will naturalize and spread, adding to your habitat each year. In addition to fireflies, this low-maintenance collection attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These plants are suitable for a rain garden and wet soils. Collection of 6 plants.
‚Jacob Cline‚ Monarda is a colorfully vibrant, mildew-resistant variety of the cherished Bee Balm plant. Loved by both gardeners and hummingbirds, crimson red crown-shape...
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Jacob Cline Bee Balm Jacob Cline Bee Balm, Bergamot Monarda didyma Jacob Cline
As low as $9.32 Sale $7.92
Per Plant - 3" Pot

'Jacob Cline' Monarda is a colorfully vibrant, mildew-resistant variety of the cherished Bee Balm plant. Loved by both gardeners and hummingbirds, crimson red crown-shaped blooms appear on tall, herbaceous plants in mid summer. Its fragrant foliage and tolerance of pests, mildew and clay soils make 'Jacob Cline' a true favorite in the perennial bed. Deer resistant. (Monarda)
Buttonbush is a native shrub with extraordinary versatility and pollinator appeal. Plants produce eye-catching, fuzzy-looking spherical flower heads in late spring, attracting butter...
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Buttonbush Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
As low as $13.32 Sale $11.32
Per Plant - 3" Pot

Buttonbush is a native shrub with extraordinary versatility and pollinator appeal. Plants produce eye-catching, fuzzy-looking spherical flower heads in late spring, attracting butterflies, bees, and the occasional hummingbird all summer. Round red fruits follow, attracting birds and providing fall and winter interest. Plants grow well in any soil type, and tolerate poor drainage and standing water, making them an ideal choice for water features, rain gardens, and boggy soil. (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Primrose Blue Zebra has unusual blue and white striped petals with a bright yellow center that are sure to catch your eye. Blue Zebra lives up to it‚s name and makes an incred...
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Blue Zebra® Primrose Blue Zebra® Primrose Primula acaulis Blue Zebra®
$8.65 Sale $7.35
Per Plant - 3" Pot

Primrose Blue Zebra has unusual blue and white striped petals with a bright yellow center that are sure to catch your eye. Blue Zebra lives up to it's name and makes an incredible woodland boarder, or line a path that wanders through the woods. Flowers will bloom in late spring and summer. (Primula acaulis)

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.

Our Rainforest Retreat Bulb Collection creates an oasis of lush foliage and exotic flowers. Grow your own tropical paradise full of vibrant colors, intriguing flowers, and enormous l...
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Rainforest Retreat Bulb Collection Rainforest Retreat Bulb Collection
$77.32 Sale $66.99
Per Collection of 10

Our Rainforest Retreat Bulb Collection creates an oasis of lush foliage and exotic flowers. Grow your own tropical paradise full of vibrant colors, intriguing flowers, and enormous leaves of green foliage. Plant in containers on balconies, porches, or patios, or plant in a garden bed in full sun to part shade. Easily create a relaxing rainforest-inspired retreat at home! Collection of 10 bulbs.
Enjoy the unusual, delicate blooms of orchids in your shade garden or woodland with the hardy White Chinese Ground Orchid. This unique flower features exquisite racemes of nodding wh...
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White Chinese Ground Orchid White Chinese Ground Orchid Bletilla striata alba variegata
As low as $101.98 Sale $86.68
Per Bag of 10

Enjoy the unusual, delicate blooms of orchids in your shade garden or woodland with the hardy White Chinese Ground Orchid. This unique flower features exquisite racemes of nodding white bells that open in late spring. Upright foliage is marked with pronounced vertical ridges, adding texture throughout the growing season. A true treasure for the plantsperson – grow as a showpiece in your garden or containers and see how easy it can be! (Bletilla)
The lush, rose-like blooms of ‚Tecolote White‚ Ranunculus are elegant additions to summer decor and bouquets. Each flawless flower is comprised of thousands of pure white...
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Tecolote White Ranunculus Tecolote White Ranunculus Ranunculus Tecolote White
As low as $15.99 Sale $13.59
Per Bag of 12

The lush, rose-like blooms of 'Tecolote White' Ranunculus are elegant additions to summer decor and bouquets. Each flawless flower is comprised of thousands of pure white, crêpe paper petals, and the tall, straight stems of this Persian Buttercup make cutting and arranging as easy as can be. Blooms emerge from ferny foliage in late spring. Order these for spring delivery.
It’s the saturated, silky color that you notice first in Havana® Calla Lily. Sumptuous and seductive, the fluted blooms are deep orange suffused with a golden yellow glow. A m...
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Havana® Calla Lily Havana® Calla Lily Zantedeschia
As low as $13.32 Sale $11.32
Per Bag of 1

It’s the saturated, silky color that you notice first in Havana® Calla Lily. Sumptuous and seductive, the fluted blooms are deep orange suffused with a golden yellow glow. A must-have for the sunny summer garden, flowers emerge through spotted, glossy foliage. Long-lasting blooms continue for 6-8 weeks, adding romance and luxury to summer plantings. Good for sunny, moist sites, Callas are deer resistant and a great choice for containers and cut flowers. (Zantedeschia)

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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