Our neighbor cut down several mature trees in order to build a workshop. This impacted a corner of our property that now has standing water for several days after each rain. The grass is very unhappy as well.
We are in zone 5b-6a. What could we plant that would thrive in this situation? We put a curly willow in last year that is doing well, but would now like a line of shrubs/grass/etc.
We have a French drain in place close to our barn, but would prefer to handle this problem by planting. The neighbor is a good guy and feels horrible about the water.
by kayaker58
25 Comments
Looks like a rice field.
Where in those zones are you located? That’s a huge area.
Willow or Red twig dogwood
https://www.archfoundation.org/b/perfect-shrubs-for-soggy-gardens/
Lily pads
Fish
Hydrangeas might drunk all that up.
Look up rain gardens. There are plants that naturally live where they stay underwater for a day or two.
Pussy willows
If not wanting to dig water diverting pipe or ditch, could create an amazing ” rain garden”
Tons of sun- loving native plants to liven up space. Cardinal flowers, purple ironweed, Joe pye weed.. etc. Also add lovely button bush,
Or trees like black gum.
A rain garden
Marsh Marigolds
River Birch, Swamp Mallow, irises and lilies, cattails, reed grass
A French drain.
My property is infilled wetlands, and all the neighbors’ uphill lots drain into the far backyard. The problem became worse as various neighbors made changes to their properties, as you have experienced.
I addressed the problem by digging out one part of the soggy area and making it into a rain garden. Your local extension service should be able to recommend native plants that are well suited to these conditions. (I ended up filling in part of my rain garden along the property line with arborist chips because my neighbor was an asshole about it.)
In addition, I put in some red and yellow osier dogwood slips. These thicket-forming plants stabilize the soil with their roots, and they move a lot of water out of the soil so the area dries more quickly.
Some years later, I am happy with the outcome. The plantings are attractive, and I no longer have an issue with standing water in my yard. Best of luck, OP!
Willow tree!!
Bald Cypress they love water.
Cranberry bog !
Bald cypress. They love to be under water
Bald Cypress Tree, Red Twig Dogwood, sweet flag, Tall ornamental grass, Red Maple tree, Sweetspire, blueberry bush
Plant natives! Most of them can take seasonal flooding.
Some other plants that do well in standing water and are great natives: Buttonbush, Cardinal Flower, Red Twig Dogwood, Winterberry Holly, Tupelo (tree), St. John’s Wort, Queen of the Prairie, Joe Pye, Elderberry. Good luck!
Broadleaf cattails, Cardinal Flower, Swamp Milkweed, Blue Flag Iris, and Buttonbush would all be good options. Planting native will be low maintenance and bring in pollinators for an added bonus
Native plants – dependent on your location but spicebush, cardinal flower, turtlehead, swamp milkweed, marsh marigold, boneset, queen of the prairie, bog goldenrod, meadowsweet… any native that likes wet feet.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Irises 😍
Cattails for a Redwing Blackbird breeding sanctuary.
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