Moved gardenias that were not doing well here and added Tea Olives and Yews
14 Comments
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Yeah, look up "plants that like lots of water" and see what you get. Weeping willow trees love water but are dangerous near the house because if that runoff was insufficient, they'd go for your water pipes. -
We have zebra grass planted around our deck and when they wave in the wind it's very soothing as is your patio. Not sure how lots of water would affect them, though. Ours are not in a runoff situation. -
Ana, you could plant yellow flag iris ( Iris pseudacorus), Virginia sweetspire, (Itea virginica) these will help hold the soil and can take lots of water but also take dry inbetween. -
Are you sure it's the volume of water, or could it be the soil PH has been disturbed by the addition of the slate deck, or perhaps something that was already in the soil? I've found Hydrangeas to be thirsty plants, but don't know how often you're experiencing water run off. I would check the soil PH just to make sure your sole issue is water. -
Inkberry Hollies will take water as well as the Twig dogwoods. If you want a medium small tree you could try a Little Gem Magnolia. I think Becky has the right idea of checking the soil before planting anything else though. Take a sample to the county extension to see if there is a problem there. What did they use to level your patio? Did they seal it with something that could be washing into the area? -
Clethra alnifolia would like your moist conditions and make your deck a gloriously fragrant place to be in late summer. -
Ana, it seems like it may be just as easy to do something to divert the water away where you can plant what you want. -
Burco, we actually have a French drain under the whole area but when it rains and pours the deck was built to drain the water on this side and away from the house, I'm pretty sure something will grow, just not sure what yet. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Going to write em all down and investigate and start planting. -
I have a Dawn of the ages Redwood, so named because the species dates back to the age of dinosaurs and was believed extinct until a small stand was found in China...I love the soft feathery fern like appearance of the foliage and one of the characteristics it's known for, is water absorbtion yet the roots do not seem to be large and invasive. Everyone comments on it's primative appearance and at about seven years old it is only now about 18-20 feet tall and the trunck diameter at it's ...» -
Good suggestions, Sharron. I have come to love the bald (and pond) cypresses and planted one in my yard last year (even though I don't have any kind of wet spot).
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I've added a close up of the Dawn of the ages Redwood foliage I took a couple of weeks ago...
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It also gets good fall color before it drops its needles for the winter to reveal its lovely bark and form. (Dawn Redwood that is)
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Weeping Willows love water but keep them away from your house & pipes!
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Thanks everyone! We decided on Yews and Tea Olive trees as you can see in the updated picture.
