Most shrubs do not thrive in soggy soil, but there are many varieties that do well in such locations. To select the right shrub for your location, you should consider its specific needs and the overall aesthetic of the space. For example, you may want to choose an evergreen shrub for year-round color, or a flowering shrub for the fragrance of its blooms. Whatever your preference, you can find a shrub that is both beautiful and hardy in this kind of soil.
Astrantias
Astrantias are trouble-free shrubs and are generally unaffected by slugs and snails. However, they are susceptible to fungal infections, such as powdery mildew. To reduce the likelihood of fungal infestations, avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to dry out too much. During hot summers, mulching with organic matter is an excellent way to retain moisture. During winter, remove dead foliage and keep the soil evenly moist.
Astrantias are excellent plants for shady spots in a border. They look romantic in almost any room and are resistant to slugs and snails. You can also cut their flowers for a long-lasting bouquet. Unlike many other shrubs, they can survive cold winters. They are easy to grow and maintain in a pot. They look beautiful in containers and make excellent cut flowers.
Many people grow astrantias as border perennials. The flowers of these shrubs are pincushion-shaped and are carried on wiry stems above an upright mound of deeply cut leaves. Astrantias are easily cross-pollinated, so many cultivars are available. Several of them are very similar in appearance and are best suited to moist, partially shaded locations.
Astrantias are excellent choice for moist soil because they can grow in heavy clay. They prefer moist soil that drains well. You can add organic matter to the soil by adding compost, dried leaves, coffee grounds, and worm castings. To increase acidity, you can also add coffee grounds to the soil. Remember to water your astrantias frequently – bare-root astrantias won’t survive long periods of dry soil.
Blue Cascade
A low-maintenance, evergreen shrub, Blue Cascade (r) Distylium is easy to recognize by its unique layered habit. The shrub is drought and heat-tolerant. A blue-green color contrasts with its green foliage. It is also disease-resistant and grows well in full sun. This shrub grows slowly but can live up to 50 years. Despite its low water requirements, it is a good choice for gardens, landscapes, and patios.
Another attractive characteristic of this shrub is its showy seed heads. These are produced by female plants and are a source of wildlife. Birds and other insects are attracted to the fragrant seed heads, which provide genetic diversity to the species. In addition to providing wildlife benefits, the shrub also makes a striking addition to any garden. This shrub also makes great landscape specimens, both in the backyard and in the city.
For a beautiful ground cover, plant the trailing, evergreen Kinnikinnick. This shrub grows six to eight inches tall and spreads widely. It grows best in full to partial sun and tolerates overly wet soil. Another popular shrub is the Redstem Ceanothus, a 3 to 10ft dwarf willow with pink-blue flowers and purple berries. The shrub is suited for moist soil and grows in USDA zones 4 through 9.
Ligularia
Ligularia shrubs for moist soil can be a stunning addition to a garden. They have large leaves with deep purple undersides and grow in moist soils. They also flower in late summer. Ligularia shrubs require a rich, moist soil and should be planted in early spring or late fall. Once established, ligularia shrubs need regular watering, but do not over-water.
Ligularia is one of the most attractive shrubs for moist soil because of its beautiful foliage and clusters of yellow flowers. These plants can grow anywhere from three to six feet tall. They also attract a number of pollinators. Ligularia, also known as the leopard plant, is one of the best plants for moist soil. Ligularia also grows in a variety of colors, including green leaves, white flowers, and pink flowers.
Another of the Ligularia shrubs for moist soil is the rocket ligularia. This plant has large serrated leaves and an upright profile. It is also an excellent choice for a rain garden or shaded area. It can also be used around ponds and pools. The rocket ligularia can be planted en masse in perennial beds or in a low-growing hedge. It has beautiful, tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Another plant that grows best in moist soil is the red-twig dogwood. This evergreen shrub grows to eight or ten feet in height and is prized for its vibrant red bark. Pruning this plant in spring will encourage new growth. Another favorite is the yellow-twig dogwood, which has golden bark. The yellow-twig dogwood grows to seven feet in height. Both plants grow well in moist soil and require regular feeding.
Winterberry
Watering: In order to grow this plant successfully, you should water it at least once a week when it is young. Once established, this shrub is tolerant of drought, but you can skip watering altogether if you are growing it in a lawn. When it is doing well, you don’t need to fertilize it. However, you should water it regularly when the growth rate slows. It also needs fertilizer once it starts to look a little wilted.
This winterberry holly is a drought-tolerant plant, but it does need watering and annual fertilization. It requires a moist soil that drains well, but it also needs a little extra moisture. Adding peat moss is essential for a healthy winterberry plant. However, this shrub is drought-resistant and is more drought-tolerant than most other plants. It can tolerate some drought, but you should avoid putting it in a shaded area.
The male and female winterberry are separate plants. The male produces staminate flowers while the female produces pistillate flowers. The latter produces fruit. To maximize the pollination of the female winterberry, you should strategically plant both the male and female plants. Botanists recommend planting one male plant for every four or five female plants. It is also important to place the male plants at about 40 feet or less apart. The plants must be of the same age and flowering period to ensure pollination.
Swamp sunflower
Among the most popular and beautiful shrubs for moist soil, swamp sunflower has a reputation for its beautiful, late blooming yellow flowers and ability to thrive in waterlogged, dry conditions. Swamp sunflowers also have a strong naturalistic appeal, with their attractive vertical growth bringing a sense of depth to a landscape. These plants are also highly attractive to native birds and insects. Although they’re not native to our climate, they can become invasive in the right conditions. They grow up to 4 feet tall, so if you have a garden or a pond, you’ll want to keep them to a minimum.
While swamp sunflowers are generally hardy and require very little maintenance once established, they should be kept well-watered and free of weeds, as weeds can suck water from the roots of your plant. To help preserve the moisture level in your soil, use mulch to prevent weeds from overgrowing. Once you have planted seedlings, make sure to thin them to 36 inches apart.
Swamp sunflower is a perennial plant with flowers in late summer and early autumn. Its rhizomes allow it to spread a couple of feet wide in a landscape. Its flower head is a flamboyant golden yellow, with a black eye. It’s best grown in full sun or partial shade. Its bright yellow flowers attract pollinators and songbirds. However, it also tolerates partial shade.
Inkberry
Inkberry holly grows from zones 4 to 10 and can survive into zone 3 but will suffer winter burn. This evergreen shrub is better suited to winter wet sites than Japanese holly, which prefers drier soils. Generally, they are happy in full or partial shade. They don’t have many pests and diseases, and they tolerate pruning and fertilizing. But be aware that if you don’t like the shape of your shrubs, consider growing an alternative variety.
To grow an inkberry shrub in moist soil, choose a cultivar with a dense pyramidal habit and dark green foliage. Planting in early spring is an ideal time for this shrub because it can tolerate partial shade and can tolerate light to moderate moisture. Dig a hole about two to five feet deep and as wide as the root ball. Care should be taken to set the root ball in the hole so that the top portion of the root ball is just above the soil level. If the root ball is too wide, it can become leggy.
Inkberry is a good choice for landscape plantings that require a bit of moisture. The shrub has a vigorous root system, and it can overtake an entire corner of your garden in two years. To prevent this, remove suckers each year and prune in spring. Once you have the clump of leaves, you can enjoy the beauty of your inkberry shrub. Its blooms will last well into the winter, so it’s worth considering as a landscape addition.