Choosing Trees for Wet Ground
There are numerous plants that can thrive in damp ground, but only a select few are able to tolerate prolonged periods of flooding. Choosing the right plants for waterlogged areas is essential, as excess moisture can quickly lead to root damage and poor plant health. Fortunately, there are a variety of attractive trees, shrubs and perennials that are well suited to wet conditions and can cope with occasional flooding.
Trees tolerant of damp soil and flooding
- Acer campestre (Field maple)
- Acer negundo (Box elder)
- Acer pseudoplatanus varieties (Norway maple)
- Acer rubrum (Candian maple or red maple)
- Acer saccharinum (Silver maple)
- Alnus incana (Grey alder)
- Alnus glutinosa (Common alder)
- Alnus – other varieties (Alder)
- Betula nana (Artic birch)
- Betula nigra (River birch or red birch)
- Betula pubescens (White birch)
- Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)
- Cercidiphyllum japonica (Katsura)
- Catalapa bignoniodes (Indian bean tree)
- Gleditsia triacanthos varieties (Honey locust)
- Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum)
- Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree)
- Platanas acerifolia (London plane)
- Populus species & varieties (Poplar)
- Prunus padus (Bird cherry)
- Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Wing nut)
- Quercus palustris (Pin oak)
- Quercus robur (English oak)
- Salix species & varieties (Willow)
Shrubs tolerant of damp soil and flooding
- Amelanchier lamarkii (Juneberry)
- Aronia (Black chokeberry)
- Clethra alnifolia (Sweet pepper bush)
- Cornus alba (Dogwood)
- Cornus stolonifera (Dogwood)
- Euonymus europeaus (Spindle)
- Gaultheria shallon (Heather)
- Ilex verticillate (Winterberry)
- Ledum palustre (Wild rosemary)
- Rhamnus frangula (Alder buckthorn)
- Sambucus canadensis (Elderberry)
- Sambucus nigra (Common elder)
- Symphoricarpus albus (Snow berry)
- Tamarix varieties (Tamarisk)
- Vibernum opulus (Guelder rose or Water elder)
