Many gardeners have been plagued by wet soils resulting from poor drainage, high clay content or even simply sitting at the base of a slope. The reason most plants don’t survive these conditions is that the roots can’t breathe due to all the excess water in the soil pores. The solution here is to choose perennials that have adapted to this by their ability to transport oxygen within the plant, helping the roots to respire and the crown to thrive.

So, here are ten easy-to-find perennials that won’t disappoint, regardless of how much it may rain. 

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

While the most common Milkweed, the orange-flowered Asclepias tuberosa, favours the dry sandy soils of North American prairies, this species thrives in wet clay. The soft rose-pink blooms are vanilla-scented and borne from midsummer to early fall. Of course, there’s plenty of nectar for those hummingbirds or butterflies, and they also make great cut flowers. Grows 3-4’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

(Asclepia incarnata 'Cinderella' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’)

Here’s a fast-growing groundcover with brilliant foliage of deep green, gold and rose, complimented by smallish four-petaled white flowers from May to June. It is actually even happy as a submerged plant in pond shallows and has a distinct orange-cilantro smell when bruised. The unvariegated form is often referred to as Fish mint, a common herb in Vietnamese dishes, although used sparingly due to its strong flavour. Collar this spreading perennial to control its rampant growth. Grows 9-12” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.  

(Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)

The easiest of the Iris to grow, as it tolerates both wet soils and drought, but looks much better with adequate moisture. While typically bearing blue or purple flowers (from late spring into early summer), it can also be found with pink, yellow, white or red blooms, including many bicolour forms. The thin green foliage is very erect and grass-like, adding structure to the garden design. Grows 2-3’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.

(Iris sibirica 'Ruffled Velvet' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Bowles Golden Sedge (Carex elata ‘Bowles Golden’)

While many Carex, such as ‘Evergold’ can tolerate moist soils, here’s one that thrives in the mire or even the pond proper. This semi-evergreen ornamental grass flourishes in partial shade with morning or late afternoon sun, where the bright gold foliage (with thin green margins) literally glows. Grows 18-24” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

(Carex elata 'Bowles Golden' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Orchid Primrose (Primula vialii)

This unusual perennial primula is native to wet meadows in China and flowers later than most, in early summer. The eye-catching poker-shaped blooms are red tipped with clusters of pale lavender-pink flowers just below. Keep in mind that this species is herbaceous and goes completely dormant for winter. Grows 12-18” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5. 

(Primula vialii | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum formerly Eupatorium)

This specimen perennial has recently undergone a name change from Eupatorium to Eutrochium, although most of the plant tags list the former. Expect a large clump of lance-shaped leaves topped with bold umbels of sweetly scented mauve-pink flowers that the butterflies adore and as a bonus, it is also deer-proof. Grows 5-7’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4. 

(Eutrochium purpureum | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Another showy specimen perennial that comes in both green and burgundy-leaved forms (‘Queen Victoria’), both topped with luscious spires of flaming red flowers. It is a favourite of pollinators such as bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds, who don’t like to share. This North American native blooms from July to September, especially when deadheaded. Grows 2-4’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

(Lobelia cardinalis | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Japanese Iris (Iris ensata)

This species bears larger flowers than I. sibirica, with prominent flat-topped blooms that appear from early to midsummer. Some varieties have flowers that are an impressive 8-10” across with a colour range of blue, purple, pink or white, often with contrasting veining or yellow signal patches. These can be used in ponds during the summer months but should be overwintered in-ground. Grows 2-4’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4. 

(Iris ensata | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana)

This old-fashioned perennial has fallen out of favour lately but really should be used more often due to its self-cleaning nature (meaning you don’t have to deadhead spent blooms) and tolerance of exposures from open shade to full sun. The grass-like foliage comes in gold or green, with flowers ranging from true blue to a rich purple, as well as white and pink. Blooms from late spring into midsummer. Grows 18-24” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4. 

(Tradescantia x andersoniana | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

False Spirea (Astilbe spp.)

A versatile perennial with feathery plumes of white, pink, peach, red or purple that are borne in abundance over finely cut basal foliage. Partial shade is the ideal exposure, although they perform quite well in full sun with even soil moisture. Leaf colour can range from green to chartreuse (‘Color Flash Lime’) and deep burgundy (‘Dark Side of the Moon’) but all foliage completely dies down for winter. Grows 1-3’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

(Astilbe 'Mainz'  | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

Spring is a great time to come shopping for any of these wet soil-loving plants, which can be found on our perennial tables or in our dedicated pond section!

 

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