Native Shrubs for Wet Soils
A number of native shrubs are suitable for wet soils. These include the following.
Inkberry
Also called gallberry, inkberry is an evergreen native shrub. This is a type of holly. Hardy to zone 5, it is found in the East. This native is recommended for hedges, borders, and mass plantings.
For screens and hedges, keep this pruned so the plant will be dense. It is ideal for seaside locations and spots where deicers are applied.
The plant reaches 10 feet in height with a matching spread. The small, thick, evergreen deep green leaves are spineless, up to 2 inches long. These change to an olive green for the winter.
The small white blossoms aren’t very showy. The female plants bear good crops of small black berries. A number of varieties are available, including dwarf ones and one with white berries.
Compacta is a dwarf one that is only 4 feet tall and a spread of 2 feet. This variety makes a good hedge if it is trimmed on a regular basis.
Inkberry adapts to salt spray and wet soils. In the wild, this species grows in swamps. But, it is also adapted to most soil types. It does well in sun and part shade. This prefers an acid soil. Inkberry is generally free of pests and diseases.
Red chokecherry
Red chokecherry is a deciduous shrub. It is suitable for part shade and full sun. It is recommended for borders and specimen plants.
The relatively problem free plant has few issues compared with the other rose family relatives. The plant is generally care free.
This easy care, adaptable species is native to the East. It does well in a range of soils from wet to dry and a range of climates as well. This is hardy to zone 4.
This can spread by stolons. The late spring brings the small pink to white blossoms, which are relatively showy. Red chokecherry is 6 to 8 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet.
The dense plants have many erect stems. The glossy foliage turns red in the fall. The greenish-gray to green foliage is hairy beneath. The long lasting fruits ripen to red and are borne in clusters. Brilliantissima is a variety with extremely showy fruits.
Inkberry
Also called gallberry, inkberry is an evergreen native shrub. This is a type of holly. Hardy to zone 5, it is found in the East. This native is recommended for hedges, borders, and mass plantings.
For screens and hedges, keep this pruned so the plant will be dense. It is ideal for seaside locations and spots where deicers are applied.
The plant reaches 10 feet in height with a matching spread. The small, thick, evergreen deep green leaves are spineless, up to 2 inches long. These change to an olive green for the winter.
The small white blossoms aren’t very showy. The female plants bear good crops of small black berries. A number of varieties are available, including dwarf ones and one with white berries.
Compacta is a dwarf one that is only 4 feet tall and a spread of 2 feet. This variety makes a good hedge if it is trimmed on a regular basis.
Inkberry adapts to salt spray and wet soils. In the wild, this species grows in swamps. But, it is also adapted to most soil types. It does well in sun and part shade. This prefers an acid soil. Inkberry is generally free of pests and diseases.
Red chokecherry
Red chokecherry is a deciduous shrub. It is suitable for part shade and full sun. It is recommended for borders and specimen plants.
The relatively problem free plant has few issues compared with the other rose family relatives. The plant is generally care free.
This easy care, adaptable species is native to the East. It does well in a range of soils from wet to dry and a range of climates as well. This is hardy to zone 4.
This can spread by stolons. The late spring brings the small pink to white blossoms, which are relatively showy. Red chokecherry is 6 to 8 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet.
The dense plants have many erect stems. The glossy foliage turns red in the fall. The greenish-gray to green foliage is hairy beneath. The long lasting fruits ripen to red and are borne in clusters. Brilliantissima is a variety with extremely showy fruits.
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