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Pond or Wet Loving Plants

Sheila AllderSheila Allder Posts: 56
in Plants
I have very poor Drainage and am thinking of planting up with Pond Plants?. Any recommendations welcome. Larger/Tall plants preferred so long as they like damp/wet conditions. 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Is it always wet?


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Acteas, Camassias and Ligularias  all like soil which doesn't dry out. The former two are best with shade, and the last likes sun, but will also be fine in part ,or dappled, shade.
    There are lots of Iris which will be fine, especially Pseudacorus [flag] and Siberian types. 
    All fairly easy to get hold of in nurseries and garden centres  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    Daylilies like wet conditions - in the USA wild daylilies are known as ditchweed. (They are also very drought tolerant).
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The only thing I'd add, and it refers to @nutcutlet's post, is - does the ground eventually drain? 
    The soil would still need to be in reasonably good health. Soil which never drains can be stale and sour, and isn't ideal for plants. Even bog plants need to have some drainage to keep the plants in good health  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    edited August 2022
    Darmera peltata, Rodgersia pinnata, Osmunda regalis, Matteuccia struthiopteris...all plants we have growing next to our pond where the soil is very moist. We also have an insectivorous plant, Darlingtonia california, an astrantia (sowed itself) and Gladiolus papilio all growing in a bog garden again next to the pond.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Just be aware that if happy some of these plants can be very vigorous! Darmera is a great plant, gives a jungly atmosphere, but once it gets the bit between its teeth it can cover a large area in a short time, so needs regular monitoring. Yellow flag iris is another - beautiful but watch it! Both are fairly easy to remove with a sharp spade to chop through the rhizome, but best to do it before they invade other plants. Even the ferns can spread surprisingly fast and can create a monoculture if left to their own devices :)
  • Sheila AllderSheila Allder Posts: 56
    Thank you everyone! Yes, the ground although appearing dry is still moist when I dig down. When I do water it I am not left with puddles on the soil but nonetheless it is slow to drain
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The main thing to consider is, does it stay underwater during winter rainfall?
    Some ground stays moist, and is just wetter in winter, but if it's under water for long periods, that's slightly different, because some plants will struggle with that. 

    It would also depend on whether you have other plants in there just now, and what they are. I'm guessing you do if you're watering it? 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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