These Willows tend to be grafted, so the root stock will not suck up excess moisture like other Willows can. Willows only soak up water in spring to early autumn when growing, so no use in winter. I would improve drainage in other ways rather than trying to use plants.
I also think that smaller Willows will have more extensive roots within a few years than a 15ft one would.
Growing something because it's happy in boggy ground is one thing - growing something to try to reduce the bogginess is something else entirely and I wouldn't do it - it won't work.
We have a boggy paddock across the road and one boundary is stream lined with the usual marsh and willows that are pollarded every couple of years. Not attractive but they do a job - except when they have no leaves as they are dormant and the paddocks get flooded after the slightest bit of rain.
You need to think about a different solution to your problem and I would suggest maybe excavating a deep, unlined pond to take the excess water. We have done this in our garden which was once cow pasture and is bordered by another boggy pasture. It works a treat for us and allows us to grow a host of marginal plants around it that actually like the wet conditions. You just need to make sure it doesn't get invaded by terra forming plants like bulrushes and flag irises. It would be worth paying a gardener to come in and clean any of those out once a year.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
These Willows tend to be grafted, so the root stock will not suck up excess moisture like other Willows can. Willows only soak up water in spring to early autumn when growing, so no use in winter. I would improve drainage in other ways rather than trying to use plants.
I also think that smaller Willows will have more extensive roots within a few years than a 15ft one would.
Don't buy them for that reason Cat. They'll suck up the water in the summer but won't make a bit of difference between October and March.
and they're not the only things that grow in boggy ground.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Growing something because it's happy in boggy ground is one thing - growing something to try to reduce the bogginess is something else entirely and I wouldn't do it - it won't work.
I've just found your earlier thread about the drainage problem http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/talkback/new-build-new-garden/606477.html
any more ideas folks?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We have a boggy paddock across the road and one boundary is stream lined with the usual marsh and willows that are pollarded every couple of years. Not attractive but they do a job - except when they have no leaves as they are dormant and the paddocks get flooded after the slightest bit of rain.
You need to think about a different solution to your problem and I would suggest maybe excavating a deep, unlined pond to take the excess water. We have done this in our garden which was once cow pasture and is bordered by another boggy pasture. It works a treat for us and allows us to grow a host of marginal plants around it that actually like the wet conditions. You just need to make sure it doesn't get invaded by terra forming plants like bulrushes and flag irises. It would be worth paying a gardener to come in and clean any of those out once a year.