MBG Home Horticulture MBG Search

Quick Links
Home Page
Highlights
PlantFinder
PF Search
Pests
Plants of Merit
Master Search
 
Searches
GardeningHelp
Titles
PlantFinder
Pest Images
Bloom Data
Scientific name

 

ProblemSolver Plants: Plants for Wet Sun


The following plants are suggestions for trying in sunny conditions which experience periodic flooding or standing water for short periods. Typically, these location are low or depressed areas in full sun. Rain gardens that do not become too dry would be an example. Soil type, soil pH and duration of flooding will affect plant performance. It is best to try a variety of plants to see which perform best in your specific conditions.

Habit Scientific Name Common Name
Annuals Canna (aquatic group) canna
  Cyperus papyrus KING TUT papyrus
  Ipomoea quamoclit cypress vine
  Iresine herbstii bloodleaf
  Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' creeping Jenny
  Mints
  Myosotis sylvatica forget-me-not
  Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' Mexican petunia
Broadleaf evergreens Ilex glabra 'Compacta' inkberry
  Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' inkberry
  Magnolia virginiana 'Jim Wilson' MOONGLOW sweet bay magnolia
Bulbs Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii 'Blauwe Donau' BLUE DANUBE camass
  Hymenocallis caroliniana spider lily
  Lilium michiganense Michigan lily
  Lilium superbum Turkscap lily
  Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus species daffodil
Deciduous shrubs Betula nigra 'Little King' FOX VALLEY river birch
  Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush
  Cornus sericea 'Allemans' red twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' red twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Budd's Yellow' yellowtwig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' red twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Farrow' ARCTIC FIRE red twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' yellow twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Isanti' red twig dogwood
  Cornus sericea 'Silver and Gold' yellow twig dogwood
  Ilex verticillata winterberry
  Ilex verticillata 'Cacapon' winterberry
  Ilex verticillata 'Jim Dandy' winterberry
  Ilex verticillata 'Nana' RED SPRITE winterberry
  Ilex verticillata 'Spriber' BERRY NICE winterberry
  Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' winterberry
  Itea virginica Virginia sweetspire
  Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' Virginia sweetspire
  Itea virginica 'Saturnalia' Virginia sweetspire
  Itea virginica 'Sprich' LITTLE HENRY Virginia sweetspire
  Leitneria floridana corkwood
  Myrica pensylvanica bayberry
  Myrica pensylvanica 'Morton' bayberry
  Salix discolor pussy willow
  Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' rosegold pussy willow
  Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki' dappled willow
  Salix purpurea 'Nana' purple willow
  Salix repens 'Iona' creeping willow
  Salix 'Rubykins' willow
  Salix udensis 'Sekka' willow
  Sambucus canadensis American elder
  Sambucus canadensis 'Aurea' American elder
  Sambucus canadensis 'Laciniata' American elderberry
  Spiraea alba meadowsweet
  Spiraea douglasii spirea
Perennials Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' sweet flag
  Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' grassy-leaved sweet flag
  Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki' grassy-leaved sweet flag
  Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' grassy-leaved sweet flag
  Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' grassy-leaved sweet flag
  Angelica atropurpurea masterwort
  Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed
  Asclepias incarnata 'Soulmate' swamp milkweed
  Aster puniceus glossy-leaved aster
  Boltonia decurrens decurrent false aster
  Caltha palustris marsh marigold
  Chelone obliqua shellflower
  Eupatorium chinense hemp agrimony
  Eupatorium fistulosum Joe Pye weed
  Eupatorium perfoliatum American boneset
  Eupatorium 'Phantom' Joe Pye weed
  Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum Joe Pye weed
  Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum 'Gateway' Joe Pye weed
  Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum 'Riesenschirm' Joe Pye weed
  Helenium autumnale sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Bruno' sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Coppelia' sneezeweed
  Helenium flexuosum purple-headed sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Goldlackzwerg' GILDED DWARF sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Helbro' MARDI GRAS sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Wyndley' sneezeweed
  Helenium 'Zimbelstern' sneezeweed
  Hibiscus '100 Degrees' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Anne Arundel' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Blue River II' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Candy Stripe' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Clown' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus coccineus scarlet rose mallow
  Hibiscus 'Draped Lady' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Etna Pink' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Everest White' common rose mallow
  Hibiscus 'Fantasia' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Giant Maroon' hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Kopper King' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus laevis rose mallow
  Hibiscus lasiocarpos rose mallow
  Hibiscus 'Lester Riegel' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Lord Baltimore' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Matterhorn' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos (Southern Belle Group) hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Pink' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rosy Red' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle White' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna Blush' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna Red' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Scallopini' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus moscheutos 'Who says' common rose mallow
  Hibiscus 'Old Yella' hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Pitter Patti' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Plum Crazy' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Pyrenees Pink' common rose mallow
  Hibiscus 'Sweet Caroline' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Turn of the Century' hardy hibiscus
  Hibiscus 'Wildwood Wonder' hardy hibiscus
  Iris brevicaulis zigzag iris
  Iris ensata Japanese water iris
  Iris fulva copper iris
  Iris fulva 'Lois Yellow' copper iris
  Iris 'Professor Neil' Louisiana iris
  Iris pseudacorus yellow flag
  Iris pseudacorus 'Sun Cascade' yellow flag
  Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' yellow flag
  Iris sibirica 'Baby Sister' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Bird Feeder' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Butter and Sugar' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Chilled Wine' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Dance Ballerina Dance' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Dewful' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Ego' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Eric the Red' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Fourfold White' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Gull's Wing' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Illini Charm' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Lady of Quality' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Lady Vanessa' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Lavender Bounty' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Orville Fay' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Pink Haze' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Quiet Shape' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Rill' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Ruffled Velvet' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Sally Kerlin' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Sky Wings' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Sparkle' Siberian iris
  Iris sibirica 'Steve Varner' Siberian iris
  Iris versicolor blue flag
  Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid' blue flag
  Iris virginica southern blue flag
  Iris virginica 'Contraband Girl' southern blue flag
  Iris virginica 'Purple Fan' southern blue flag
  Iris virginica var. shrevei southern blue flag
  Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower
  Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' cardinal flower
  Lobelia 'Cotton Candy' cardinal flower
  Lobelia 'Purple Towers' lobelia
  Lobelia 'Rose Beacon' lobelia
  Lobelia 'Ruby Slippers' lobelia
  Lobelia siphilitica blue cardinal flower
  Lobelia siphilitica 'Lilac Candles' great blue cardinal flower
  Lobelia 'Sparkle DeVine' lobelia
  Lobelia 'Tania' lobelia
  Lobelia x speciosa 'Wildwood Splendor' lobelia
  Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais' loosestrife
  Mazus reptans mazus
  Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel' spearmint
  Mentha suaveolens apple mint
  Mentha x piperita f. citrata lemon mint
  Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate' chocolate mint
  Mimulus ringens Allegheny monkey flower
  Monarda didyma bee balm
  Monarda 'Fireball' wild bergamot
  Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' bee balm
  Monarda 'Mahogany' bee balm
  Monarda 'Petite Delight' wild bergamot
  Monarda 'Petite Red Supreme' wild bergamot
  Monarda 'Petite Wonder' wild bergamot
  Monarda 'Pink Supreme' wild bergamot
  Myosotis scorpioides true forget-me-not
  Myosotis scorpioides 'Semperflorens' forget-me-not
  Packera aurea golden ragwort
  Persicaria virginiana (Variegata Group) knotweed
  Salvia lyrata cancer weed
  Saururus cernuus lizard's tail
  Silphium perfoliatum cup plant
  Solidago riddellii goldenrod
  Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' rough goldenrod
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Blushing Bride' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Concord Grape' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Little Doll' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Mariella' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Purple Profusion' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Red Cloud' spider lily
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Snowcap' spiderwort
  Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Sweet Kate' spiderwort
  Tradescantia 'Hawaiian Punch' spiderwort
  Verbena hastata American blue vervain
  Vernonia arkansana ironweed
  Vernonia fasciculata ironweed
  Vernonia gigantea giant ironweed
  Vernonia missurica ironweed
  Vernonia noveboracensis New York ironweed
  Veronicastrum virginicum Culver's root
  Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album' Culver's root
Ornamental grasses Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' feather reed grass
  Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass
  Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' feather reed grass
  Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' purple moor grass
  Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Variegata' purple moor grass
  Panicum 'Huron Solstice' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' switch grass
  Panicum virgatum 'Squaw' switch grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian's Choice' fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny' fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Honey' fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'National Arboretum' fountain grass
  Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Piglet' fountain grass
Rushes or Sedges Carex alata broadwing sedge
  Carex davisii Davis's sedge
  Carex elata tufted sedge
  Carex flacca blue green sedge
  Carex frankii Frank's sedge
  Carex grayi gray sedge
  Carex lurida sallow sedge
  Carex squarrosa squarrose sedge
  Juncus decipiens 'Curly-wurly' rush
  Juncus effusus corkscrew rush
  Juncus effusus f. spiralis corkscrew rush
  Juncus effusus f. spiralis 'Blonde Ambition' corkscrew rush
  Juncus effusus f. spiralis 'Unicorn' corkscrew rush
  Juncus effusus 'Quartz Creek' corkscrew rush
  Juncus inflexus 'Afro' hard rush
  Juncus inflexus 'Lovesick Blues' hard rush
Trees Acer rubrum red maple
  Acer rubrum 'Columnare' red maple
  Acer rubrum 'Franksred' RED SUNSET red maple
  Acer rubrum 'Karpick' red maple
  Acer rubrum 'Northwood' red maple
  Acer rubrum 'October Glory' red maple
  Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' red maple
  Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' AUTUMN BLAZE freeman maple
  Alnus glutinosa black alder
  Asimina triloba pawpaw
  Betula nigra river birch
  Betula nigra 'BNMTF' DURA-HEAT river birch
  Betula nigra 'Cully' HERITAGE river birch
  Celtis laevigata sugarberry
  Celtis occidentalis hackberry
  Magnolia virginiana sweet bay magnolia
  Magnolia virginiana var. australis swamp magnolia
  Metasequoia glyptostroboides dawn redwood
  Nyssa sylvatica black gum
  Quercus bicolor swamp white oak
  Quercus palustris pin oak
  Quercus phellos willow oak
  Quercus texana Texas red oak
  Salix alba subsp. vitellina 'Britzensis' coral bark willow
  Salix caprea pussy willow
  Salix daphnoides violet willow
  Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa' dragon's claw willow
  Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea blue elder
  Taxodium distichum bald cypress
  Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret' bald cypress
  Taxodium distichum 'Peve Yellow' bald cypress
  Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum pond cypress

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2009