10 plants to grow in bog gardens
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Sunday, 5 January 2020 at 2:49 pm
We recommend plants with beautiful flowers and foliage to grow in bog gardens.
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If you have a boggy or very wet area in your garden, why not create a bog garden?
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Plant the umbrella plant (Darmera peltata) with its large leaves for dramatic green architecture, alongside purple loosestrife to attract wildlife. For a touch of elegance, complete your border with the snowy-white blooms of zantedeschia, which will keep flowering all summer long.
If your garden conditions aren't completely suited to the growing requirements of a particular bog plant, don't be put off. Wetter areas can be created by digging up damp soil and placing a plastic liner underneath with holes puncturing it, to retain some drainage. If an area is too wet, you could build some simple raised borders with timber or stone within the bog.
Related content:
- Get the best from wet soil
- How to plant candelabra primulas
- Get the best from acid soil
Browse our pick of 10 plants for a boggy spot, below.
Darmera peltata
Darmera peltata. Neil Hepworth
With large, green leaves with scalloped edges on stalks up to a metre, this hardy perennial makes a statement at the back of a boggy site. Clusters of pink or white flowers emerge on tall stalks before the leaves appear.
Ligularia
Yellow flower spikes and serrated leaves of ligularia
With large, green leaves with scalloped edges on stalks up to a metre, this hardy perennial makes a statement at the back of a boggy site. Clusters of pink or white flowers emerge on tall stalks before the leaves appear.
Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'
Bright-yellow iris flowers. Jason Ingram
The upright, sword-like leaves of Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' are marked with creamy-white stripes. Bright yellow flowers appear in May. Though less vigorous than the uncultivated species, be sure to divide it in spring.
Zantedeschia aethiopica
A swathe of white calla lillies. Jason Ingram
For a more sophisticated boggy border, try Zantedeschia aethiopica. Glossy-green arrow-shaped leaves are set off by stately spathes of white flowers, with prominent yellow spadices. Semi-evergreen, so cut it back in winter if the leaves die.
Rodgersia pinnata
Pale-pink flowers and bold leaves of Rodgersia pinnata
Frothy, pink-white flowers and fabulous, huge, horse chestnut-like leaves, make Rodgersia pinnata a must-have in sites with poor drainage.
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife flowers
A vigorous, tough perennial with upright stems and long-lasting flowers. Plant purple loosestrife if you're looking to attract birds and bees to the garden.
Astilbe chinensis
Magenta astilbe plumes
Shorter plants like astilbe are great for underplanting around larger plants like the umbrella plant. Their divided leaves and fluffy plumes of purple or pink flowers really add impact to borders.
Cornus alba
Vivid pink dogwood stems
When the lush growth of the warmer months has fallen away, the bright red stems of Cornus alba are a reliable source of winter colour. Cut back old, dull stems in spring to encourage the growth of vibrant new ones.
Salix vitellina 'Britzensis'
Golden stems of willow 'Britzensis'
For further winter interest, grow Salix vitellina 'Britzensis' for its golden-yellow stems. Like C. alba, cut in back in spring for colourful new growth.
Typha minima
Miniature bulrush-type flowers of small reed mace
The small reed mace has fine foliage and classic bulrush-type flowers. Unlike its larger relative Typha gracilis, the smaller T. minima won't take over wet borders.
More bog plants to grow
White flowers of meadowsweet
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- Eupatorium cannabinum
- Filipendula ulmaria
- Onoclea sensibilis
- Osmunda regalis
- Candelabra primulas
- Ranunculus spp.
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
- Iris laevigata
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