Plants for fluctuating wet and dry soils

Plenty of plants can thrive in soil that swings between waterlogged in winter and drought-prone in summer. It’s still possible to create a full and attractive border in these sometimes challenging conditions

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Colourful stems of dogwood, which copes with fluctuating wet & dry
Colourful stems of dogwood, which copes with fluctuating wet & dry

Quick facts

  • Plants that like to grow in clay are often well suited to wet winters and dry summers
  • Adding lots of organic matter will help to even out the highs and lows of soil moisture content
  • For your less tolerant plants, look for areas in your garden that have more even conditions throughout the year

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The planting plan

James Lawrence, RHS Principal Horticultural Advisor, has designed this simple, attractive, and most importantly, sustainable border design for you to try at home with plants that are easy to grow, widely available and look good together. 

This planting design recommends a range of plants that, once established, will thrive in soil that fluctuates between being wet and dry, providing a variety of interest throughout the year. A simple planting plan helps to create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.

Plants for soils that are seasonally wet and dry

© James Lawrence

Choosing plants for fluctuating wet and dry soils

The Bistorta provides some groundcover and will help prevent erosion of bare soil. The groundcover can also help to reduce soil surface moisture evaporation and suppress weed growth in summer.

Additional organic mulching, preferably with homemade compost, can further improve soil moisture retention and weed suppression. Mulches should be spread when the soil is already moist, to help trap some of that moisture before it dries out in summer. 

1 - Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ 
2 - Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’ 
3 - Rosa ‘Rugspin’
4 - Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
5 - Astrantia major ‘Claret’
6 - Bistorta officinalis ‘Superba’
1 - Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ is a deciduous shrub with heads of white flowers in summer, which develop into white-blue berries. These are accompanied by stunning autumn foliage and then bright red winter stems. 

2 - Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’ is another deciduous shrub with striking dark red foliage and heads of pale pink flowers, which develop into clusters of red berries that turn black over time.

3 - Rosa ‘Rugspin’ is a rugosa rose with fragrant deep pink flowers all summer into autumn. Large red hips persist into early winter and are loved by birds. These are offset by bright yellow autumn leaves.

4 - Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is a deciduous shrub with large, white, long-lasting flower-heads all summer. Once the flowers have faded, the papery brown dried flowerheads remain attractive for many weeks.

5 - Astrantia major ‘Claret’ is a hardy herbaceous perennial with subtle but architectural pink and dark red flowers in late spring. The attractive lobed leaves form a low mound from spring to autumn.

6 - Bistorta officinalis ‘Superba’ is a hardy perennial forming a semi-evergreen mat of leaves that take on red tints in cold weather. Dark pink flowers, which become red, are held on upright stems around 30cm above the leaves throughout the summer.

About fluctuating wet and dry soils

By choosing plants which are well-suited to wet and dry soils, you can keep your border looking good and growing well, because plants that are planted in the right place tend to be stronger and more naturally resistant to pests and disease. Also, once the plants are established, this will reduce the need for extra inputs that less well-adapted plants would need, such as fertiliser and frequent watering in summer.
 

The challenge of seasonally wet and dry soils

In winter these soils (often clay soils) can be heavy, sticky and possibly sometimes flooded, while in summer they may be baked hard with wide cracks. Both of these extremes are hard to work, so digging should be avoided. A year-on-year addition of garden compost or other organic matter will gradually make things easier for you. If the plants you choose have adapted to naturally thrive in those conditions, they will grow much better.
 

Why choose a sustainable planting combination?

Using the ethos of ‘right plant, right place’ to create a sustainable planting combination is a great for the environment. It helps to minimise waste, and the use of products and practices needed to try and help ailing plants, such as the application of fertiliser. It also creates robust, long-lived planting that benefits soil health and garden biodiversity.

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