Are you puzzled by the fact that your soil turns into an open-air pool every winter or that it disgorges badly in the spring? Do you not know how to decorate the edges of a pond? Rejoice, many plants will be happy in your home!
Defined wetlands
Around a pond, a stream or near a waterhole, the soil is constantly wet and you can take advantage of this to create a dream setting, sometimes exotic, sometimes more classic but always charming.
In the background of a pond, think of the gunnera, a giant plant with spectacular foliage that grows during the summer and disappears in winter. Mulch the base of the plant to protect this fragile Brazilian from frost. Always in the exoticism, think of the banana tree which appreciates a very fresh and constantly humid soil, but also of the cannas whose variegated foliage varieties will amaze you with their splendor. The long, rigid flower stalks bearing brightly colored flowers will bring a touch of cheerfulness to the garden or even to the house in bouquets.
Around the pond, the elegant arums, the inevitable Iris pseudacorus, the sagittaria, the thypas, the rushes, but also the hostas, whose many varieties of colored foliage you can collect, or the astilbes with their feathery panicles will ensure the show.
The various varieties of lysimachia, some with purple foliage such as Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais' are sure values. Be careful, if this plant is happy in your garden, it may become invasive.
At the edge of waterways, think of ferns and water mints, always deliciously fragrant, but also of the elegant miscanthus, very decorative. Japanese anemones, aruncus, and some sedges will also make an impact and elegantly highlight your stream.
Undefined areas
If your land is wet all over, don't panic! You can install the plants previously mentioned plus some trees such as willows, including the magnificent weeping willow, poplar, which tolerates wet soils well, but also the very strange bald cypress, alder, swamp oak or eucalyptus, which has a reputation for drying out wet soils. Be careful, in cold regions choose an adapted species. Also keep in mind that nothing grows under a eucalyptus, that this tree has a very fast growth and quickly becomes huge if the conditions are suitable.
Beech, birch and magnolia trees like cool soil, but not feet in water, and can be planted in moist soil. The same goes for certain heathland plants such as rhododendrons, camellias or hydrangeas, which will appreciate soil that is always fresh if it is well drained.
