Plants That Thrive in Wet, Leaky Yard Areas

Turn a Soggy Spot into a Garden Feature

If you have a persistent wet area from a leak, choose plants that naturally love “wet feet.” Avoid trees with invasive roots (like willow) near pipes.

Top Picks for Wet Soil

• Trees/Shrubs: Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), winterberry (Ilex verticillata).
• Perennials: Astilbe, Japanese iris (Iris ensata), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), turtlehead (Chelone glabra), Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium).
• Grasses/Sedges: Carex species, Juncus (rushes).
• Bog plants: Cattails (Typha), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

Design Idea

Consider creating a rain garden or small pond—it solves drainage and adds habitat. Use the resources below for design guides.

References

• Wet area planting ideas
• UMN Extension: Plants for Wet Places