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California Gardening

Need plant ideas for wet coastal northern CA (full sun)

7 years ago

I have a spring in my new lot next door. I've dug a trench to drain off excess water but there are still areas that remain soggy about 9 months of the year. I'd like to landscape this area with native plants, about 18-24" tall if possible. The area is probably about 10' x 15'. I'm hoping to find something that I can divide so that it will eventually fill in the area. Much of the adjacent yard will be Redwoods, evergreens and ferns. I'm in Humboldt county, near the coast. TIA.

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Comments (5)

suzanne_sl
7 years ago
Agapanthus may be a possibility. They aren't native, but they come from a similar climate (southern Africa). When we moved to our house in Marin last year, there were many agapanthus lining the patio. We dug them out (actually a tractor did it) as we replaced the patio. Despite the digging out and all connected to creating a new block patio, little agapanthus sprouts still pop their heads up every now and then. At the fence line there are more periodic volunteers which get mowed and still show up later. That spot stays wet from neighbors' enthusiastic watering and underground seepage from the nearby hill. They have done fine in the hot, the cold, the wet, and the dry. The flower is very attractive, but so is the plant when the flowers are done. The ones in our yard were knee high, but they come in various sizes. Had we preserved the originals, we would have needed to divide them as they get dense.

On the con side: clearly agapanthus are persistent, aggressive even. They grow on rhisomes, which is a plus and a minus.
Steven thanked suzanne_sl
Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
There are a bunch. Search under bog and meadow plants. It's going to depend on when the dry happens and what type of soil you have.

Not all are natives

Acorus

Carex

Juncus

Colocasia

Heucera

Scirpus

Typha

Mimulus

Pitcher plants

Sundews
Steven thanked Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
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Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Aw Steven I am sorry your question went so long unanswered! I hope you're still checking in for responses. You have some good recommendations here!

I really like this site when looking for plant combination ideas (in addition to forums like this, of course):

https://www.gardenia.net/garden/a-fabulous-plant-combination-for-moist-soils-and-shady-gardens

That particular link is for moist soil specifically in NorCal. Beautiful and would do well, even if not all natives.

Here's a screenshot...
Steven thanked Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
Steven
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

I've been looking over them and one that I really liked is Acorus that Nil13 listed in his post. I found Golden Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus griminess 'Ogon). I liked the way it looks, it's for wet soil in full sun, can be divided and is slowly spreading.

I'll look over the other suggestions once more and may decide to try some of them too.

Thanks again!
Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I grow Golden Variegated Sweet Flag atthe edge of a dry creek near some redwoods. Super easy. Doesn't demand too much at all. Have divided it once, or maybe twice, over the past 3-4 years. You will like it.

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