Liz Zorab shares her favourite plants that don’t mind a soggy bottom!
Many gardens have at least one spot that remains damp for much of the year and it can be hard to know what to plant to provide a splash of colour. As the climate becomes more challenging for gardeners, choosing plants that are naturally right for our particular microclimate makes increasing sense, and will be more cost effective and less work in the longer term.
This selection of plants provides interest at differing times of the year, with exciting flowers, colourful foliage or interesting shapes and forms. I continue to grow most of these in my own garden because I know that they perform well.
Kerria Japonica ‘Pleniflora’
The first time I saw kerria flowers, I thought that they looked like scruffy pom poms floating in the air. This spreading shrub has wiry stems upon which the yellow-orange flowers appear in spring. Height and spread 2.5x2m (8.2×6.50ft).
The stems retain their green colour throughout the year and in milder areas, leaves may remain on the plant year-round. It is unfussy about its situation, thrives in full sun and partial shade and requires moist but well-draining soil. It is hardy throughout the UK, even in severe winters.
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘Brunette’
Also known as cimicifuga, this hardy herbaceous perennial provides interest with dark purple foliage from spring to autumn. It prefers damp and even poorly drained soil.
Grow in any aspect, except south-facing, as it prefers partial shade and a bit of shelter because of its height. Height 1-1.5m (3.2-5ft) and spread up to 1m (3.2ft).
In autumn, purple buds open to white flowers with a hint of pink, which are held above the foliage. Do be aware the plant is harmful if eaten and the berries are poisonous.
Lobelia cardinalis
The rich scarlet red flowers make a bright and bold statement as they rise above the foliage. This perennial lobelia produces flowers from late summer and through autumn. Height and spread 90x50cm (3×1.5ft).
It prefers poorly drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun or partial shade in all but north-facing situations. It’s hardy in the milder areas of the UK and in colder areas, you could grow it in pots and move to a frost-free place during autumn.
Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet grows into a dense clump of foliage. From June to September irregular clusters of highly fragrant, cream flowers appear. Height and spread 100cm (3.5ft).
It will fail to thrive on chalky or sandy soil, preferring moist, but well-drained or poorly drained soil. Grow in full sun or partial shade.
It is native to the UK and Ireland and fully hardy. The buds, flowers and seeds are edible and taste of a combination of hay, almond and vanilla.
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’
This is a relatively unfussy plant that prefers an acidic, humus-rich soil that is fairly fertile. This deciduous shrub is very hardy, with red to purple leaves that produce clusters of small pink buds that open to creamy-white flowers in summer. Height and spread 1.5-2.5m (5-8.2ft).
Once established, it has a suckering habit, so if space is limited, try growing in a large container.
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Depending on your growing conditions, this arum lily is an herbaceous perennial or semi-evergreen. It has long, dark green, glossy leaves and during summer and autumn produces yellow flowers that are wrapped by a white spathe.
Height and spread to 100x50cm(3.2-1.6ft), it prefers damp soil, but does need some drainage and would fail to thrive in soil that is waterlogged in winter.
Grow in full sun or partial shade. Although other species of zantedeschia are available, Zantedeschia aethiopica is the only one hardy that is widely available.
Candelabra primula hydbrids
From late April until July the unmistakable stems appear with whorls of flowers. They are available in a wide range of colours including, white, pink, red, orange, yellow and purple and their leaves grow from a basal rosette.
These primulas prefer neutral or acid clay or loamy soil, in full sun or partial shade, and are fully hardy throughout the UK and Ireland. They are ideal for cheering up an awkward, poorly drained spot in the garden.
Flowering height ranges from 30-100cm (1-3.2ft).
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Hablitzia tamnoides
This climbing spinach, also known as Caucasian spinach, reaches 3m (10ft) in height.
It provides a useful harvest of young shoots from March and leaves from April and through the hungry gap. This is a hardy, long-lived perennial that thrives in partial shade and will need some support for climbing.
It may take three years to establish, but it can then live for 20 years or more. The young shoots and baby leaves can be added to salads and the more mature leaves used in the same way as standard spinach.
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