Selecting plants for a bog garden presents many exciting options. Enjoy the opportunity to create contrasts with uprights foliage, bold broad leaved plants and filigree ferns. Add to this the variety of flower form and colour, and there can be interest throughout the growing season. Consider colourful stems of willow and dogwood for winter interest.

When choosing, buying and planting bog garden plants, keep the following in mind;

• Bog plants love wet soil but not swimming in water. Avoid areas where there is standing water or where the ground is flooded for long periods of time. If the ground has standing water that does not drain, pond marginals will be more suitable
• Spring is the best time to choose plants and plant a bog garden
• When choosing bog plants, check for the light requirements. Many large leaved plants will tolerate a certain amount of shade as well as full sun
• Bog plants like a soil rich in organic matter, so fallen leaves will add to the nutrient levels and structure of the soil
• Plant directly into soil of a bog garden

Herbaceous perennials

Aruncus dioicus AGM: 2m x 1m (6½ft x 3¼ft)
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Superba' AGM: 1.2m x 50cm (4ft x 20in)
Bistorta officinalis  AGM: 1m x 1m (3¼ft x 3¼ft). Native to GB and Ireland
Caltha palustris 50cm x 50cm (20in x 20in). Native to GB and Ireland
Cardamine pratensis 45cm x 45cm (18in x 18in). Native to GB and Ireland
Darmera peltata AGM: 1.5m x 1m (5ft x 3¼ft)
Euphorbia palustris AGM: 90cm x 1m (3ft x 3¼ft)
Eupatorium maculatum Atropurpureum Group AGM: 2m x 1m (6½ft x 3¼ft)
Filipendula ulmaria 90cm x 90cm (3ft x 3ft). Native to GB and Ireland
Geum rivale 'Leonard's Variety': 45cm x 50cm (18in x 20in). Cultivar of a native to GB and Ireland
Gunnera magellanica: 15cm x 30cm (6in x 1ft)
Hosta: variable heights and spread
Iris ensata 'Rose Queen' AGM: 1m x 50cm (3¼ft x 20in)
Iris laevigata AGM: 70cm x 50cm (28in x 20in)
Iris pseudacorus AGM: 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft). Cultivar of a native to GB and Ireland
Iris × robusta 'Gerald Darby' AGM: 1.2m x 50cm (4ft x 20in)
Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge' AGM: 1m x 50cm (3¼ft x 20in)
Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona' AGM: 1m x 1m (3¼ft x 3¼ft)
Ligularia 'Gregynog Gold' AGM: 1.8m x 1m (6ft x 3¼ft)
Ligularia 'The Rocket' AGM: 1.8m x 1m (6ft x 3¼ft)
Lobelia cardinalis AGM: 90cm x 50cm (3ft x 20in)
Lythrum salicaria 1.2 x1.2 (4ft x 4ft). NAtive to GB and Ireland
Myosotis scorpioides: 30cm x 50cm (1ft x 20in). Native to GB and Ireland
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail': 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3¼ft)
Primula florindae (Si) AGM: 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3¼ft)
Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson' AGM: 50 x 50cm (20in x 20in)
Rheum palmatum 'Atrosanguineum' AGM: 2.5m x 1.5m (8ft x 5ft)
Rodgersia aesculifolia AGM: 1.5m x1m (5ft x 3¼ft)
Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba' AGM: 1.5m x1m (5ft x 3¼ft)
Trollius × cultorum 'Superbus' AGM: 60cm x 50cm (2ft x 20in)
Trollius europaeus 80cm x 80cm (2½ft x 2½ft). Native to GB and Ireland

Grasses

Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus': 30cm x 50cm (1ft x 20in)
Carex elata 'Aurea' AGM: 70cm x 50cm (28in x 20in). Cultivar of a native to GB and Ireland
Juncus effusus f. spiralis: 50cm x 50cm (20in x 20in)
Juncus inflexus  60cm x 60cm (2ft x 2ft). Native to GB and Ireland
Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata': 1.5m x 1m (5ft x 3¼ft)

Ferns

Athyrium filix-femina AGM: 80cm x 1m (32in x 3¼ft). Native to GB and Ireland
Dryopteris filix-mas AGM: 1.2m 1.2m (4ft x 4ft). Native to GB and Ireland 
Matteuccia struthiopteris AGM: 1.5m x 2.5m (5ft x 8ft)
Osmunda regalis AGM: 2.5m x 1m (8ft x 3¼ft). Native to GB and Ireland

Links

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