Landscaping in Wet Shade

 

If you have soils that are periodically or frequently flooded or just slow to drain, there are natives that prefer to grow in those conditions. The native plant species listed here are easy to grow in moist, shady habitats. It is easier to work with the conditions on your site than trying to adjust the site to fit the plant needs. Consider some of the following native species in wet, shady habitats. 

Perennials (forbs)

Conoclinium coelestinum - Blue Mistflower
Lobelia cardinalis  - Cardinal Flower
Vernonia noveboracensis - New York Ironweed

Ferns

Osmunda spectabilis - Royal Fern
Thelypteris palustris - Marsh Fern

Grasses, Sedges, & Rushes

Juncus effesus - Soft Rush

Shrubs

Aronia arbutifolia - Red Chokeberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush
Clethra alnifolia - Sweet Pepper-bush
Gaylussacia baccata - Black Huckleberry
Ilex verticillata - Winterberry
Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel
Physocarpus opulifolius - Ninebark
Rhododendron periclymenoides - Wild Azalea, Pinxter Flower
Rhododendron viscosum - Swamp Azalea

Trees

Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud
Magnolia virginiana - Sweetbay Magnolia
 

 

Plant Virginia Natives is a collaborative initiative engaging organizations, across Virginia’s coastal zone, piedmont and mountain regions, in state-wide and regional marketing strategies to increase the use and availability of native plants.

Questions, suggestions or comments about the initiative and this website?  
Please contact Virginia Witmer, Plant Virginia Natives Initiative Coordinator, at virginia.witmer@deq.virginia.gov .