Hyams Garden Center and Accent Store

Serving Greater Charleston Area with Quality, Variety & Professionalism since 1981

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Plant for Wet Sites

Wet and poorly drained soils can make it difficult for plants to grow well. Extreme moisture in the soil removes the oxygen necessary for plant roots which can cause them to suffocate.

The following plants are suggested choices for wet sites. Plants native to wetland areas will thrive, but they will need to acclimate to wet conditions.

Please look at a ‘List for Bog and Aquatic Plants’ for areas that remain wet and or damp most of the time.

To successfully introduce container grown plants to a wet site you must plant them in a mounded technique that elevates half of the root ball above the surface of the ground. Bring the dirt up to the top edges of the root ball and slope soil gradually down to ground level. It should resemble an upside-down bowl. Never put soil on top of the root ball.

Names that end with an asterisk mark (*) are species known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended period of time.

TREES

Bald Cypress*Black GumCabbage Palmetto
Dahoon HollyLaurel OakLive Oak
Loblolly PinePin Oak*Pond Cypress
Red Maple*River Birch*Shumard Oak
Sweet GumSweetbay Magnolia*Sycamore
Wax MyrtleWillow Oak 

SHRUBS

BambooCarolina Cherry LaurelOakleaf Hydrangea
OleanderReifers Viburnum/Walters ViburnumThorny Elaeagnus
Virginia SweetspireYaupon Holly* 

VINES

Carolina JessamineCross VineSwamp Rose

GROUND COVERS

Asian JasmineBorder Grass/Lily TurfMondo GrassJapanese Sweetflag

FERNS

Japanese Painted FernLady FernRoyal FernToothed Wood Fern

SHADE PERENNIALS

Calla LilyChinese Ground OrchidGolden Lanterns
Northern Sea OatsTall Ageratum 

SUN PERENNIALS

African IrisBlue SalviaCanna Lily
Crinum LilyJapanese Iris*Joe Pye Weed*
Leopard’s BaneLoose StrifeLouisiana Iris
Mexican PetuniaObedientRain Lily/ Fair Lily
Rose MallowSpider LilySwamp Sunflower
TurtleheadUmbrella Plant 

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Rudbeckia Fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

Black-eyed Susan is a cheerful wildflower.  Its claim to fame are its bright-yellow, two to three inches wide, daisy-like flowers with dark centers that bloom singly atop one or two feet stem. The golden daisy flowers of Rudbeckia illuminate late summer and early fall borders, perennial schemes and gravel gardens. Most of them are over knee-height but some forms of Rudbeckia are small and compact. All types of Rudbeckia produce large flowers on stout stems that seldem need stacking. The blooms attract beneficial insects. They thrive in an open, sunny situation and moist but free draining soil. The cheerful blossoms of the Black-eyed Susans liven up bouquets. This annuals may bloom longer with some afternoon shade. Birds enjoy the ripe seeds. Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive if given too perfect an environment and not enough competition.  

Black-eyed Susan is propagated very easily from seed sown in fall or spring. Spring-sown seed should be stratified. Rake seed into a loose topsoil or cover with ¼ to ½ inch of soil or mulch. If possible, supplement with water if fall or spring rains are infrequent and light. The seed requires several days of moisture and should germinate in one to two weeks.  Black-eyed Susans are drought tolerant but respond well to an occasional watering. Additional irrigation in a dry year will improve the density of the stand and lengthen the flowering season. Do not mow until after the plants have formed mature seed cones, about three to four weeks after flowering. (Check by breaking a cone open and if the seeds are dark, they are mature.) The number of volunteer plants can be limited by removing the seed heads after the flowers are done.

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Trailing Vinca (Catharanthus Roseus)

Grown for its foliage and flowers, trailing VINCA is a genus of evergreen, sub shrubs and herbaceous perennials. Its flowers are tubular with five spreading lobes. Vinca is useful for ground cover in shade. However, it also flowers more freely in some sun. It grows in any soil that is not too dry. It may be propagated by cuttings or by division from fall to spring.  It is a low maintenance trailing plant that spreads easily and hence vinca is a common choice for ground cover in a garden bed. All parts of this plant may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. It is a star performer throughout the summer and is very vigorous. Vinca is a perfect choice for beds and borders and is superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Vinca is Wonderful for combination plantings. It flowers in shades of pink, white, purple, red, lavender, and bicolor.

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Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Phantom’

Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Phantom’ is a remarkable panicle hydrangea with the largest flower heads of any of its species. The flowers could be up to 15 inches long. The conical color-changing blooms unfold in midsummer as a creamy white, then graduate to a blushing, soft pink as the summer progresses. It is a heavy bloomer with sturdy-stemmed flowers that do not flop. It is a robust upright cultivar and produces dense, conical, rounded heads of sterile white flowers. It calls for moderate to hard pruning. The color of the flowers is not affected by the pH of the soil. Phantom blooms on the current season’s wood so it is not susceptible to late spring frosts. It does well in full sun to light shade and is moderately drought-tolerant. ‘Phantom’ is a hybrid of Hydrangea paniculata which is native to Japan, China and Korea where it grows at altitudes up to 4,000 feet.