flood-tolerant plants
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: flood-tolerant plants
- From: N* S*
- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 13:49:56 -0400
How's this for a tall order? I'm looking for recommendations for
shade-loving plants that can stand periodic flooding in a bed that would be
dry if I didn't water it in the summer (i.e., it is by no means a "moist"
area). The water comes from a construction site uphill from me (long, dull,
annoying story), and since the situation is in court it won't be resolved
for a long time. Oh yes, the plants also should be able to tolerate clay
since my much-amended soil gets washed out and is replaced by globs of the
sticky stuff. So far I've discovered that pink turtlehead and Joe Pye weed
stand up, but the eupatorium really is an unattractive washed out brown/pink
in the shade rather than the lovely burgundy I had in mind (and that I see
when the plant is placed in more sun). I've already seen one astilbe die,
and a few look ill, which kind of surprised me. If I hadn't already invested
in so many perennials for this bed I'd be tempted to replace everything with
black chokeberry, which is doing fine in another flooded area. The shade is
pretty serious--there's only light in the mid- to late afternoon (which
makes a lot of plants wilt)--and the bed is in front of a tall brick
retaining water which, I assume, radiates a lot of heat. In less flooded
parts of the bed cimicifugas are doing well. Do you think they'd stand up to
a lot of water? How about monarda?
By the way, thanks to everyone for the Sluggo information.
All ideas appreciated,
Nancy S. (NYC, zone 6B)
