Winter flooding

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I have an area on my land that floods every winter to a depth of a inch or two. Freezing occasionally. What natives can you recommend? I know Valerian is not a native, but can it grow in these conditions?Zone 6a, Buffalo, N.Y., , very near Lake Erie.

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Comments (5)

Skip1909
5 years ago
How long does the water stay there before it drains? What is the sun exposure? What is your goal with the area, a simple groundcover, perennial garden, rain garden? You are going to need a mix of plants for year round bloom if that is your goal. You should look to plants that grow in ephemeral wetlands or have a FACW wetland indicator. I planted a couple Eutrochium species (Joe Pye) as well as Clethra alnifolia and sweetbay magnolia in such an area of my yard, however my area drains after a couple dry days. Im trying swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica in the same area this year. A few Amsonia, Chelone, Packera, Helenium, and Carex (sedge) species should be adaptable to these conditions as well.
kitasei
5 years ago
I have an area like this where I've planted a dawn redwood, red twig dogwoods, ostrich ferns, clethra, variegated sedge... I regret that the norway spruces weren't planted on berms or rocky mounds because I don't think they will make it, Canna do great in the summer (dug up over winter). And elephant ears!
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
5 years ago
It sounds like you want plants that will tolerate both wet and average conditions. Knowing the answers to Skip’s questions would be helpful.

I have

swamp azalea/Rhododendron viscosum which needs acid soil

Clethra alnifolia which blooms late summer and has lovely yellow fall color

winterberry holly/Ilex verticillata which is a deciduous holly with stunning berries through fall into winter
SUSAN namway
5 years ago
I have an area that is under water sometimes for a few weeks in spring (where sump empties). I have hostas, swamp milkweed astilbe, geum rivale, carex Treasure Island, mukdenia, and tricyrtis which is just beyond the actual water line. These are all shade plants except the milkweed. Ligularia, The Rocket is more for sun and will tolerate a bit of wet and maybe some Monarda depending on how long its underwater.
dandy_line (Z3b N Cent Mn)
5 years ago
Let's keep this to natives please.

Some of the most spectacular native flowers are found in the wet ground, like Hibiscus, Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Milkweed, Cardinal flower, and more I can't think of right now. Having a great wet spot is an asset most don't have.

Winter flooding

Comments (5)

Skip1909

kitasei

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