PLANTS THAT WELCOME THE DELUGE
After the gazillionth inch of rain along the east coast, thanks to a tango being performed by Joaquin and a pesky nor’easter, it seemed appropriate to fire off a list of plants that will tolerate, and even welcome, wet soil. I took the picture above while visiting Camden, Maine during one of its wettest months on record. Ferns and Hostas are perfectly happy under such conditions.
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) is native to Virginia.
Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) is native to Virginia.
Betula nigra (River Birch) is native to Virginia.
Hydrangea (Hydra=water), with the exception of Oakleaf Hydrangea, tolerates wet soil. Above is the classic Hydrangea macrophylla.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea); the species is native to Virginia.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ (Limelight and Pee Gee are other cultivars of this species)
Calycanthus floridus (Eastern Allspice) is native to Virginia.
Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry) is native to Virginia. I took this picture along a trail on Jamestown Island.
Aronia arbutifolia (Chokeberry) is native to Virginia.
Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort) is native to Virginia.
I took this picture on Richmond’s wild and natural Belle Isle.
Myosotis sylvatica (Forget-Me-Not)
Iris siberica (Siberian Iris). Many Iris, including the native Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris)
will tolerate continuous bog conditions.
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) is native to Virginia.
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebell) is native to Virginia.
This rain garden (installed by Capital Trees as part of the renovation of Great Shiplock Park) filters polluted storm water from the park’s parking lot before it enters the historic James River and Kanawha Canal. Native plants, including Eutrochium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed), Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) and Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) thrive in the garden. Ilex glabra (Inkberry), Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire), Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush) and Callicarpa americana (Beautyberry) — all native shrubs that tolerate wet soil– border the state-of-the-art biofiltration planters.