6 Annuals For Wet Soil Conditions
By Ashleigh Smith
Soil is the most important component of your garden. It is responsible for how well every single plant in your garden does. The trick though is that each plant has its own preference for how warm, cold, dry, or moist it is. The best way to manage these differences is to plan your plants around the soil texture and moisture levels. For areas prone to staying moist but well-drainiing (no standing water) is to place plants that will do well there. This list includes plants known to tolerate moist soils to help you in your garden plans.
Castor Bean
This incredibly tall plant is grown as an ornamental shrub rather than an edible bean, as the name may cause you to think. It is actually incredibly toxic if ingested. This beautiful plant is enjoyed for its hardy purplish foliage and red blooms.
Coleus
While each of these flowers handles damp soils well. Coleus does an exceptional job of thriving in wet soils. If you have a troublesome spot where the soil always seems to be wet, coleus will likely thrive here.
Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)
While Forget-me-Nots are not annuals, we have decided to include them in this list. It is actually a biennial that typically is planted in the summer, emerges in the fall, and blooms the following spring. If the flowers are not cut, they will readily reseed. Forget-me-nots perform extremely well in temperate and cool summers, with damp soils common to forest and woodland areas.
Impatiens
A dazzling flower that tolerates humid and shaded gardens. A compact flower that grows densely packed with 1-2 inch pink, red, or white blooms. While impatiens will tolerate damp soils, it is best to avoid getting the foliage wet to prevent problems with pests and disease.
Mallow (Hibiscus sp.)
Hibiscus flowers display large blooms in shades of red, pink, and white with a red center. Blooms can be as large as 6-8 inches. Plant in areas where the soil will stay moist, as these do not tolerate drought. Hibiscus seeds are best directly sown due to their vigorous growth, although they may also be started indoors.
Pansy
Pansies grow well in shaded and cool gardens. They are actually ideal for planting in the cool fall months to be left in an outdoor spot over the winter (protected from wind). It will then sprout with the naturally warming spring temperatures. Your seeds may need some light watering. Pansies perform well in moist soils, but be sure to watch for pesky slugs and snails that are known to enjoy these conditions as well.
