Astilbe, turtlehead, Joe Pye weed, marsh marigold, ligularia and many ferns grow happily in soggy soil and rain gardens. Choose these where water stands after rain.
- False Spirea (Astilbe) — Thrives in damp shade.
- Turtlehead — Native, late blooming, loves wet feet.
- Joe Pye Weed — Tall native butterfly magnet.
- Marsh Marigold — Bright yellow in spring mud.
- Ragwort — Bold leaves for wet spots.
- Goat's Beard — Big plumes in moist soil.
- Bugbane — Fragrant late spikes.
- Lady's Mantle — Edges damp beds.
- Daylily — Handles wet and dry.
- Foxglove — Spires for moist shade.
Alkanet 'Alexander's Great'
Brunnera 'Alexander's Great'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
Brunnera 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack of Diamonds'
Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Looking Glass'
Brunnera 'Looking Glass'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Permafrost'
Brunnera 'Permafrost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Queen of Hearts'
Brunnera 'Queen of Hearts'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Sea Heart'
Brunnera 'Sea Heart'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
American Royal Fern 'Regalis Spectabilis'
Osmunda 'Regalis Spectabilis'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Native
- Rabbit resistant
Ampliflora Iris 'Ming Treasure'
Iris 'Ming Treasure'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Balloon Flower 'Astra Pink'
Platycodon 'Astra Pink'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
Balloon Flower 'Double Blue'
Platycodon 'Double Blue'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
Tips
- A rain garden is a shallow dip that catches roof or driveway runoff.
- Plant the wettest-loving plants in the center and drier ones at the edges.
- Wet soil plants still need water in a dry summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rain garden?
A shallow planted basin that catches runoff and lets it soak in, usually within a day or two.
What grows in soggy clay?
Astilbe, turtlehead, Joe Pye weed and ligularia handle heavy wet soil.
Will these plants grow in standing water?
Most handle wet soil and brief flooding, not permanent standing water. Marsh marigold handles the wettest spots.
Do wet-soil plants attract pollinators?
Yes — Joe Pye weed and turtlehead are favorites of bees and butterflies.