Best Plants for Soggy, Wet Soil Areas

Turn a Wet Spot into a Lush Garden Feature

Low, poorly drained areas can support beautiful, moisture-loving perennials. Here are top performers for soggy ground:

Perennials for Wet Soil

• Aruncus dioicus – Goat’s Beard
• Asclepias incarnata – Swamp Milkweed
• Astilbe spp.
• Boltonia asteroides – White Boltonia
• Caltha palustris – Marsh Marigold
• Iris ensata – Japanese Iris
• Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Flower
• Ligularia spp.
• Matteuccia struthiopteris – Ostrich Fern
• Monarda didyma – Bee Balm
• Osmunda spp. – Cinnamon & Royal Ferns
• Physostegia virginiana – Obedient Plant
• Rodgersia pinnata – Featherleaf Rodgersflower
• Trollius europaeus – Globeflower

Additional Options

Horsetail (Equisetum), yellow water iris (Iris pseudacorus), and arrowhead (Sagittaria) tolerate standing water.

Resource

NC State University’s guide: Plants for Wet Sites