Shrubs That Can Grow in Wet Conditions
Below you will find a list of evergreen and flowering shrubs from our plant database that can grow in wet climates. If you click on any of the photos, you will see a Virtual Plant Tag that may contain plant descriptions, usage suggestions and a link to where you can buy that plant for your landscaping. The concept of a shrub can be difficult to define since different people might consider the same plant a groundcover, broadleaf evergreen, bush or tree.
Many evergreens and shrubs that flower can flourish in wet areas, but some of these plants can also do quite well in dry areas or places in the landscape with average moisture.
Some of these bushes are native plants and have evolved to handle a fairly wide range of weather extremes for short periods of time, have a wider tolerance for diseases, are more salt tolerant and are generally more insect resistant. Suggestions of native shrubs that grow well or are tolerant of wet areas include: American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) survive in marshy areas and once established in the garden take considerable heat and drought since they grow in rocky crevices and on exposed slopes in their wild, natural setting. Improved selections now offer better winter color; American Cranberry or Vaccinium macrocarpon; American Elder or Sambucus canadensis and the interesting cutleaf form; Black Alder, Common Winterberry or Ilex verticillata are native to swamps; Black Chokeberry or Aronia melanocarpa; Bog-rosemary, either Andromeda polifolia or A. glaucophylla; Known as either Button-willow, Buttonbush, Honey Bells or Cephalanthus occidentalis, this native can grow in standing water, flowers late in the summer for added interest and naturalizes nicely; for southern gardens, the Yaupon (Ilex) is the small leaf holly of choice, especially for marshy or swampy areas or where salt spray is a problem; Inberry or Ilex glabra; Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) is one of several native, water-loving winter-hardy, broadleaf evergreens; more moisture tolerant than Mountain Laurel, Sheep Laurel or Lambkill Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) has rosy-pink to purplish crimson, with blue-flowering cultivars; Sweet Gallberry (Ilex coriacea) is a large version of Inkberry better adapted for southern gardens.
Non-native shrubs that flourish in above average moisture include the newer, interesting cultivars of Common or European Alder (Sambucus nigra) are real garden improvements with cutleaf and purple leaves; European Cranberry Viburnum thrives even in boggy areas and has lovely Autumn red or yellow fruit display for multi-season effect.