Thanks to climate change, we expect to see much more extreme weather in the coming years. While we can expect hotter, drier summers, torrential rains are also becoming more common, which is why garden experts have revealed five shrubs that can save your garden from flooding.
Anyone who has a naturally boggy garden, or a garden prone to flooding, knows how Best flood-proof plants Can make your garden look like a beautiful oasis. Also, when you have Plants that can help prevent flooding in your the bedYou’re using your garden as an excellent line of defense against flooding.
The following five flood-proof plants will continue to look fabulous, even if your garden is a wet, soggy mess. They are also recommended because they are great for absorbing excess rainwater from the ground, which can help alleviate the effects of flooding.
1. Sweetspire
Sweetspire is an evergreen shrub that grows in chalk, clay or sandy soils, making it naturally suited to wet conditions.
(Image credit: Getty Images/BGWalker)
‘Sweetspire is particularly useful as it copes well with wet conditions while still providing plenty of ornamental value. In summer, it produces gorgeous, fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators, while its foliage turns rich colors of orange and red in fall. It’s a great example of a shrub that not only survives challenging conditions, but really does well in them,’ explains Peter Mortin, garden expert. Crane Garden Buildings.
Where to buy Sweetspire
2. Gulder rose
This upright shrub produces stunning fall color, as well as being a great choice. Woodland garden. It grows in moist soil, and it produces fragrant flowers in spring and summer and red berries in autumn. Wildlife love it
(Image credit: Getty Images/Photos by RA Kearton)
‘Guelder roses are good for flood-prone gardens as the plant naturally thrives in wet woodlands or along riverbanks. It copes well with wet soils and temporary flooding, and can also be highly resilient during dry spells. Although it can tolerate waterlogged soil, it is best to plant Gulder roses when they are dormant so that roots can be established before any heavy flooding,’ says Richard Barker, horticulturist and commercial director. LBS Horticulture.
Where to buy Guldar Rose
3. Dogwood
Dogwood is one of them Best Shrubs for Wet Soils. Not to mention its stunning pink, red and orange spears that will fill your garden with beautiful color even when it’s raining.
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‘Red twig dogwood is one of my top recommendations for gardens that are regularly waterlogged. Many shrubs can tolerate wet conditions, but dogwood actively thrives in them. The real benefit comes in winter, when its vivid red stems make a striking display at a time when most gardens look flat and colorless. If you have an area that turns into a bog after a heavy rain, this is one shrub that will really thank you for it,’ says Peter.
Where to Buy Dogwood
4. Winterberry
Not only do winterberries thrive in wet conditions, but their berries can also help feed birds during the winter, making them a great choice for anyone. Wildlife Garden.
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‘Winterberry is an excellent choice for a flood-prone garden, as it is native to wet soils and swampy places. It thrives in wet, heavy soils and is better at handling standing water than other shrubs. Although the plant likes water, it’s best to plant it on a slight mound or increase the planting area to help it establish in a wetter spot,’ says Richard.
Where to buy winterberry
5. Purple willow
Purple willow is a pollinator plant, meaning it will attract lots of bees, birds and butterflies to your garden. It has soft blue-green leaves and can grow up to five meters in height.
(Image credit: Getty Images/ Oleg Marchak)
‘Purple willow is a brilliant choice for wet gardens as it naturally grows along rivers and streams. It is extremely resilient in wet conditions and brings a softer, more natural look to the garden than some traditional ornamental shrubs. As rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, plants adapted to withstand periods of flooding are becoming more valuable in UK gardens,’ says Peter.
Where to buy purple willow
Just because you have a boggy or flood-prone garden, you don’t have to compromise on style. These stunning shrubs will not only beautify your garden, but also support it.
