Plants for fluctuating wet and dry soils

Plenty of plants can thrive in soil which switches seasonally between wet and dry. It is still possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions

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Colourful stems of Dogwood in soil which fluctuate wet and dry
Colourful stems of Dogwood in soil which fluctuate wet and dry

Quick facts

  • Plants which 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
  • Look for areas in your garden which have more even conditions throughout the year, for your less tolerant plants

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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, provides a range of plants that, once established, will thrive in wet then dry soil and still provide a variety of interest throughout the year. A simple planting plan helps create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.

Plants for fluctuating wet and dry

© James Lawrence

Choosing plants for soils which fluctuate wet and dry

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 can further improve soil moisture retention and weed suppression.
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 which has 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’ has striking dark red foliage and heads of pale pink flowers which become clusters of red, turning to black, berries.
3 - Rosa ‘Rugspin’ has fragrant deep pink flowers all summer into autumn. Large red hips persist into early winter and are loved by birds, alongside bright yellow autumn leaves.
4 - Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ has large white long-lasting flower-heads all summer. The papery brown dead flowerheads still remain attractive for many weeks.
5 - Astrantia major ‘Claret’ has subtle pink and dark red structural flowers in late spring and attractive lobed leaves, forming a low mound.
6 - Bistorta officinalis ‘Superba’ forms a semi-evergreen mat of leaves which take on red tints in cold weather. Dark pink-becoming red flowers are held upright about 30cm above them, through 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, planted in the right place, plants tend to be stronger and more naturally resistant to pests and disease. Also, once established, this will reduce the need for extra inputs that less well-adapted plants would need, such as fertiliser and excess water in summer.

The challenge of fluctuating wet and dry soils

In winter these soils (often clay soils) can be heavy and sticky and possibly occasionally flooded. Whilst in summer they may be baked hard with wide cracks. Both these extreme conditions are hard to work and therefore 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 avoid 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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