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The wetter, the better: These 8 flowering shrubs flourish in damp soil and heavy rain
Wetter winters are coming – climate-proof your garden with these beautiful bushes
In the last past three weeks, the UK has swung from a 34°C heatwave to a prolonged spell of rain temperatures struggling to reach the low 20s. As the climate continues to warm, weather extremes and rapid shifts like these are expected to become increasingly common. Meanwhile, summers are set to get hotter and winters milder.
What does this mean for our gardens? It's a question professional horticulturalists have been grappling with for some time now. Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst, previously told Country Living, for example, that building climate resilience is one of his top priorities for the world-famous green space.
One way to achieve this is by incorporating plants that can cope with increasingly extreme weather conditions. Climate experts predict that rainfall will not just get more frequent but also more intense, making it important to choose varieties that can thrive wet, boggy conditions.
We asked two experts to share some of most beautiful shrubs that can withstand waterlogged soil and heavy showers, helping you create a future-proof garden that will thrive for years to come.
Sweetspire
"Sweetspire is suited to damp soil as it is native to wetland areas, and has evolved to survive in floodplains," says Richard Barker of LBS Horticulture. "The plant's roots have adapted to be able to survive in standing water, and moist, nutrient-rich soils can encourage the plant to spread via suckers, creating thickets that can aid with soil erosion."
In summer, sweetspire bursts into bloom with fragrant white flowers, making it a boon for pollinators as well. In autumn, you'll see fiery red and orange foliage.
Buttonbush
"Buttonbush thrives in damp soil due to its specialised root system that is adapted to survive in waterlogged, low-oxygen environments," Richard explains. "These roots feature spongy cells that create air channels, allowing the plant to send oxygen to the roots even if the soil is saturated."
This shrub gets its name from the spherical flowers it produces, which are rich in nectar and great for pollinating insects. Buttonbush thrives along pond edges, where the root systems can stop soil erosion and provide shaded areas for aquatic wildlife.
Pussy willow
“Pussy Willow naturally thrives in damp and waterlogged soils, making it ideal for areas that regularly experience flooding," Amber Tunney, Plant Buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres, tells us.
Its soft catkins, which appear early in the season, provide an important source of pollen for bees when few other plants are in bloom.
Winterberry
“Winterberry holly copes well with wet conditions and brings seasonal interest thanks to its striking red berries, which persist through winter," Amber continues.
"The berries not only add colour to the garden during the colder months but also provide food for birds.”
Elderberry
Elderberry is another shrub that helps future-proof a garden while supporting local wildlife.
“Elderberry is a fantastic choice for flood-prone gardens," she says. "Its flowers attract pollinators, while its berries provide a valuable food source for birds later in the year.”
Red chokeberry
Red chokeberry is at home in wetlands and bogs, making it a natural choice for wet gardens. "The shallow root systems spread widely just beneath the surface of the soil so they can access oxygen," Richard explains. "It also has adaptable cellular structures that prevent root rot, so it can withstand poor drainage and standing water."
Following its flush of white spring flowers, the shrubs will yield berries in late summer and can last into winter, which makes red chokeberries a vital source for birds when food is scarce.
Dogwood
Dogwood naturally grows in wetlands and damp woodland conditions. "Its roots has a high tolerance for waterlogging, meaning it won't suffer in soggy soil and can temporarily survive in standing water," says Richard.
Its dazzling spring- and summer-time flowers are not the only way in which dogwood can benefit a green space. "After pollination, the flowers can produce small, black berries, which provide a food source for wildlife," the expert adds. "Varieties such as Cornus sanguinea and Cornus alba will have brightly coloured stems in winter that provide interest."
Purple willow
Purple willow, which is named for the vibrant purple wood it produces in its first year of growth, completes our list of climate-resilient plants. "It can withstand low-oxygen environments for longer periods, and the roots are naturally designed to seek out high volumes of water," Richard tells us.
A word of advice: "Although it handles wet conditions well, it needs full sun to prevent diseases and ensure healthy growth."
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
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