LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR USE IN WET AREAS.

Reprinted from Landscape Facts, Cooperative Extension Service

Many landscape plants within the first several years after planting, either fail to grow or even die due to excess moisture in the soil root zone. Symptoms of plants suffering excessive soil moisture are small leaves, decreased growth in height, failure of buds to break dormancy and in some instances death. Growth of plants is affected as a result of poor soil aeration (oxygen) which may be brought about by excessive soil moisture, high amounts of clay soil, or heavy compaction of the soil. Any practices which drain away soil moisture, dilute the clay content of soils (such as adding organic matter) or aerating compacted soils will help to alleviate the conditions responsible for poor soil aeration. Some arborists have portable air compressor units, which are used to fertilize trees and aerate the soil. Operating under pressure, these units tend to break-up the heavy soil and provide for better air exchange.

Following the guidelines outlined below will assist in assuring survival and growth of trees and shrubs that must be planted in less than ideal soil situations.

1. Select a planting site that does not tend to collect and hold water or will be subject to s soil compaction.

2. In the planting operation, provide for tile or surface drainage, especially with trees, large shrubs, and evergreens.

3. Set the plants in the soil several inches higher than grown in original nursery.

4. Plant the raised beds rather than at soil level. Raised beds can be supported by railroad ties or similar materials.

5. When poorly aerated soil conditions exist, select for planting only those plants most

tolerant to moist conditions since trees and shrubs differ in their capability to withstand poor soil aeration.

Trees and shrubs most tolerant of moist areas

TREES:

Red Maple, Silver Maple, Alder, Serviceberry, River Birch, Honeylocust, Sweetgum, Sweetbay Magnolia, London Planetree, Poplar, Swamp White Oak, Willow, Common Bald Cypress,

SHRUBS:

Bottlebrush Buckeye, Chokeberry, Clethra, Inkberry, Mountain Laurel, Myrica pennsylvanica Northern Bayberry, Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae, Viburnum cassinoides Withrod Viburnum, Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum, Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Viburnum, Viburnum opulus European Cranberrybush Viburnum, Viburnum trilobum American Cranberrybush Viburnu