When my (now) wife and I bought our first home together in North Yorkshire, we had stars in our eyes and a whole load of gardening dreams to match. The house wasn’t big by any stretch of the imagination, but the garden… well, we could see its potential. That is, until the first proper rain hit, and we discovered that our “dream garden” was actually more of a marshy bog. Lovely. But rather than be defeated, we decided to embrace it and work with nature instead of fighting it.
We’ve had loads of plants fail over the years due to wet soil. Even when I used a tonne of gravel to improve the drainage of a particularly waterlogged border, I lost a whole row of lavender planted as a hedge as the soil was still too wet.
Through plenty of trial, error, and muddy wellies, we found that some plants actually thrive in wet conditions. These seven perennials turned our damp, soggy mess of a garden into something beautiful, and I thought I’d share them with you—because let’s be honest, gardening isn’t always perfect, and sometimes the best results come from working with what you’ve got!
Don’t forget…
I’ve written a whole other article about How to Improve Waterlogged Soil in Wet Gardens, be sure to check it out after you’ve read this article!
1. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Ah, the good old hosta. When we first planted these, we weren’t quite sure what we were doing, but they just worked. Hostas are made for the shady, wet spots in your garden where you think nothing else will survive. We planted them in the back corner where the sun rarely hits, and they rewarded us with their big, lush leaves that add some serious structure to the space. And the best part? They’re pretty low maintenance, so they suited our busy (read: chaotic) lives perfectly.
Personal Tip:
If you’re like us and can’t stand waking up to find your beautiful hostas full of holes, beware the slugs! They LOVE hostas almost as much as we do. We tried everything—beer traps, eggshells, you name it. Eventually, we found that planting ferns nearby helped a bit, giving the slugs some other textures to navigate. It didn’t solve everything, but it did help!
2. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
I’ll be honest, we weren’t sure about astilbes at first. But boy, was I wrong. These beauties love a wet, shady spot, and they add such a delicate touch to the garden with their feathery plumes of flowers. Our favorite variety had these deep pink blooms that stood out against the more subtle greens of the hostas and ferns. The best part? They keep coming back, year after year, with very little fuss from us.
Personal Tip:
Astilbes love the company of hostas (no surprise there) and Japanese ferns, creating this lovely layered effect. And if you can plant them near a water feature—like a little pond or even a birdbath—they look stunning when reflected in the water. We had a small pond in the back, and it became this peaceful little corner we’d escape to after long days.
3. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Our garden went from soggy to spectacular when we added Siberian Irises. I still remember the first time they bloomed—those delicate blue-purple flowers rising tall and proud against the backdrop of green. They just bring such an elegant, almost wild look to the garden, and the best part is they LOVE wet conditions.
Personal Tip:
These irises do best when they’re a bit crowded (weird, right?). Every few years, divide them up so they don’t get too snug in their spot. We paired them with daylilies and purple loosestrife, which also love wet soil. It made for this beautiful mix of colors that we could see from the kitchen window—a real treat with our morning tea.
4. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Marsh marigolds were a bit of a wild card for us, but they ended up being one of my favorites. Their bright yellow flowers are like these little bursts of sunshine in an otherwise drab, wet garden. They’re native to the UK and love being planted near water. We tucked ours in along the edges of a little stream that ran through the back of the garden, and they thrived there.
Personal Tip:
Try planting Japanese primroses or gunnera nearby for a bold contrast in color and texture. I remember thinking our marsh marigolds would only do well in spring, but to our surprise, they kept coming back stronger every year, even after the frost. Just keep in mind they like their feet wet, so they won’t do well if you’re in an area with long dry spells (not that we had to worry about that in North Yorkshire!).
5. Ligularia (Ligularia dentata)
Now, if you want a plant that packs a punch, ligularia is your go-to. I’ll never forget the first time we planted this beast of a perennial—it quickly became the star of the show. The large, bold leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers just command attention. We planted ours in the wettest part of the garden (literally, it was almost a swamp after heavy rain), and it loved it there. It’s one of those plants that seems to say, “Bring it on!” when it comes to damp soil.
Personal Tip:
Ligularia can get pretty big, so give it room to grow. It pairs well with hostas and astilbes, adding some height and drama to the scene. Just make sure to keep it watered during hot, dry spells—though, let’s be honest, in the UK that’s not too much of a problem most of the time!
6. Filipendula (Filipendula rubra)
Filipendula became one of the tallest and most majestic plants in our garden. We planted it at the back, and its huge, fluffy pink flowers made it look like something out of a fairy tale. We loved how it brought in bees and butterflies, making our garden feel alive with movement.
Personal Tip:
Filipendula pairs wonderfully with Joe Pye weed and bee balm (monarda). They all attract pollinators, which was a huge plus for us. Plus, they created this lush, wildflower meadow vibe in the wettest parts of the garden. A real joy to watch throughout the season!
7. Primula (Primula japonica)
When we first planted primulas, we weren’t expecting much. But wow, did they surprise us. Their tiered blooms of bright colors popped up like little jewels throughout the garden, especially around our shady, damp pathways. We’d often stop and admire them as we walked through the garden, especially during late spring when they were at their best.
Personal Tip:
Primulas do well in moist, shady areas (perfect for us!). We found they looked fantastic when paired with hostas and ferns, creating a soft, almost enchanted look. Just keep the soil consistently moist, and they’ll reward you with color year after year.
Bringing It All Together
Looking back now, our first garden in North Yorkshire wasn’t just a lesson in gardening—it was a lesson in patience, persistence, and learning to love what nature gives you. Sure, the soil was soggy, and there were more than a few days when we thought the whole thing was a washout (literally). But by choosing plants that thrived in those conditions, we didn’t just create a garden, we created a sanctuary. And believe me, there’s nothing better than sipping a cup of tea while admiring the way the rain dances off your happy, thriving plants.
So, if you’ve got a soggy patch of land in the UK, don’t despair. Embrace it! These seven perennials will not only survive—they’ll thrive, and they’ll turn that wet patch into a garden you’ll be proud of. Trust me, we’ve been there, and it’s so worth it. If you still need some further guidance, take a look a this guide on the RHS: Gardening on Wet Soils
For even more inspiration, check out the reliable perennial recommendations at Gardeners’ World. We definitely referred to their list a few times when we were stuck! https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/20-best-perennial-plants/
Good luck, and may your wellies always be as waterproof as your plants are beautiful.
