How to Cure Wet Soil and Trees That Can Survive in a Wet Soil

Question from Jonnie:
What plants can I plant in an area that doesn’t drain well. It appears to remain wet a few days after rain or sprinkling the lawn – On the north side of the house and we are in zone 8. Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer from Pat:
If it is clay soil, be sure to apply gypsum, as described and explained on pages 21 and 22 of my book. Additionally, if drainage is that bad perhaps you should call in a landscaper expert in correcting drainage problems. It sounds as if you need to install a drain or have the drain repaired if it’s no longer working. Drains sometimes clog with soil and roots and can be repaired and returned to working order. Having a wet spot on the north of the house could also affect the house or the foundations adversely, so it should be fixed.

I once had a wet spot in my garden and didn’t know enough to plant a weeping willow (Salix babylonica) in it. If I now had a wet spot in my garden, that is what I would plant. Weeping willow is beautiful and will sop up a lot of that water but roots may get into pipes. (Spray with BT in summer to control tent caterpillar. See page 157,158 on caterpillars and page 89 top of page on tent caterpillar.) Other trees adapted to wet spots that will grow in USDA Zone 8 include: Magnolia virginiana, Platanus racimosa, Acer rubrum, Alnus cordata, Castanospermum australe, Acer macrophyllum, Umbellularia californica, Populus fremontii, Alnus rhombifolia, Carpinus caroliniana, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Celtus laevigata, Clethra arborea, Liquidambar styraciflua, Platanus wrightii, Robinia neomexicana, Sequoia sempervirens, Thuja occidentalis, and Washingtonia filifera.

Most perennials that can take wet spots also need good drainage, for those that don’t need good drainage, look into plants that can survive in muddy ground such as umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius). This grows in Sunset Zone 8. (Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is handsome and atmospheric, but not hardy in Sunset Zone 8).