How to Choose Plants

Plants, like people, have specific needs. Match plants to your site conditions for success and less maintenance. Soil drainage is paramount—most plants want moist, well-drained soil. If drainage is poor (too slow or fast), amend with organic matter, but starting with adapted plants is smarter.

Plants for Wet/Damp Soils

Trees: Sweet bay magnolia, red maple, arborvitae 'Green Giant'.
Shrubs: Ninebark 'Little Devil', red osier dogwood 'Arctic Fire', winterberries ('Winter Red', 'Southern Gentleman'), American cranberrybush 'Wentworth'.
Perennials: Jack-in-the-pulpit, lily-of-the-valley, bleeding hearts, bee balm, brunnera, hibiscus moscheutos, ferns.

Plants That Tolerate Drought

Trees: Ginkgo, honeylocust, pin oak, golden rain tree.
Shrubs: Butterfly bush 'Purple Emperor', bush clover 'Gibraltar', smoke bush 'Royal Purple'.
Perennials: Yarrow, hummingbird mint 'Tutti Frutti', tickseed ('Sienna Sunset', 'Mercury Rising', 'Moonbeam'), purple coneflowers, blanket flower 'Gallo Peach', lavenders, catmint 'Walker's Low'.

Assess your site realistically, research adapted plants, and both you and your garden will be happier!