Water friendly plants - Knowledgebase Question

US
Avatar for larry_j_odom
Question by larry_j_odom
February 7, 2009
My yard has a natural slope to it and water drains to the bottom and then drains off to the street. Problem is that when we get a lot of rain over the course of several days it gets soggy and takes weeks to properly drain. Is there a tree or shrub that I could plant in this area to help with this problem?


Image
Answer from NGA
February 7, 2009
Planting a tree or a shrub probably won't reduce the amount of water that collects in the low spot, but planting something with a high tolerance for soggy soil will at least make the area look attractive. Some shrubs to consider:
Andromeda (Bog Rosemary); Cornus stolonifera (Shrub Dogwood);
Chaenomoles (Flowering Quince); Potentilla fructicosa (Potentilla);
Chionanthus (Fringe Tree); Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry);
Clethra (Summersweet); Viburnum opulus (Snowball Bush).

Trees that tolerate wet soils include:
Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir); Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen);
Acer rubrum (Red Maple); Salix (Willow);
Liquidambar (Sweet Gum); Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood);
Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum).

You might also consider installing a curtain drain in the area to reduce the amount of standing water.

Best wishes with your landscape!

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by IrisLilli and is called "Purple Crocus Mix"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.