In areas that stay wet for extended periods of time , it is important to select plants that tolerate soggy conditions .
Native wetland plants have adapted over thousands of years to these arduous conditions , and this garden celebrates these unique challenges . Altering our perspective of these environments allows us to see that wet areas provide habitat and breeding grounds for birds , insects , mammals , and plants . Plants in these areas assist with filtration and improved water quality , floodwater storage , flood attenuation , and erosion control . In this partial sun to full sun garden for wet soil , the American cyrilla will eventually become a small ornamental tree , offering abundant summer flowers and orange fall color . The beautyberry shrubs create a loose structure , and the dwarf palmettos provide an evergreen accent . This garden creates space for the larger , dynamic perennials , welcoming the vertical height of the coastal plain joepye weed and the large white and pink flowers of the seashore mallow and common rose mallow . The swamp milkweed , larval host plant for the monarch butterflies , fills in the outer edges while the wrinkleleaf goldenrod with its bright yellow fall flowers forms a large group in the center . The striking red flowers of the cardinal flower and delicate foliage and blue flowers of the eastern bluestar create an additional layer as they weave through the evergreen common rush and fine textured narrowleaf whitetop sedge .
* This garden is ideal for places in the landscape that tend to be wet several days ( or more ) after a significant rain event . You can test the drainage of an area by digging a hole 6 ” deep and 6 ” around . Make sure you wait at least 48 hours after rain has fallen . Fill the hole with water , and time how long it takes to completely drain . If there is still water in the hole after 24 hours , you should use plants like these that can tolerate wet feet .
* If desired , larger plant material such as sweetbay , tupelo , bald cypress , wax myrtle , swamp azalea , and elderberry could be incorporated in this garden mix .
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* Full sun refers to areas in your garden that receive six to eight hours of sun each day . Partial sun refer to areas of your garden that receive between four hours and six hours of sun each day . If your plant calls for partial sun , it will do better at the higher end of this sun exposure scale .