Choosing the right plants for soil that is wet in winter and dry in summer is becoming a necessity. Constant watering in dry spells is time-consuming and demanding of water resources. Conversely, losing plants in

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. 

Soils, climate, and growing conditions are endlessly variable, so the plants on our lists may tolerate these challenges but may not thrive as well as those in ideal conditions.

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

How wet is too wet? 

Wet soil may be saturated much of the winter or may just flood occasionally. The water could remain for a few days or longer. Soil that never drains will not grow plants as there is no oxygen in the soil structure. Shorter periods under water mean some plants will still survive.

Should I just plant a bog garden? 

If the water table is high, or the land is low-lying, it may not dry out completely in summer. In this case, a bog garden may suit your garden better.

What can I do about the puddles on my lawn?

You may find our page on waterlogged lawns useful.

How do I prevent waterlogging on my clay soil? 

Clay soils can result in these extremes. Follow our tips below on managing clay soils.

Will adding gravel to the soil help improve drainage? 

Unfortunately, no. If the water table is high, only installing drainage will help. To assess your drainage, have a look at our advice below on wet soils and installing drainage.

So, perhaps a rain garden would be a good idea? 

Yes, a rain garden captures and temporarily stores rainwater. A swale is narrower and can carry water to a rain garden. To manage sudden, substantial amounts of water running off buildings to hard surfaces, they are ideal. Find out more about creating a rain garden.

Can plants help to reduce flooding? 

Planting

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

What else could I do?

You could make raised beds. They may only need to be 20cm or in height so that roots are raised above the surrounding water table. The ideal height depends on what you want to plant.

Our plant selections for wet and dry soils offer a wide range of suggestions:

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

There are many plants that will tolerate dry soil or occasional waterlogging. Since plants are rarely highly tolerant to both extremes, you may need to experiment in your specific conditions. You can give plants the best chance and increase choice by planning and planting carefully.

There are a few steps you can take when choosing, planning and planting

1. Be aware that some cultivars of plants may not be as resilient as the species
2. Some plants need some shade in summer to give them their tolerance
3. ​Consider changing the topography of the garden by creating low hills and depressions, where you can plant more specifically. This is a rain garden in its simplest form
4. Plant in autumn – roots are still on the move and can establish before winter wet or summer drought
5. Don’t risk more tender plants if your garden is cold as well as wet. Check hardiness ratings when selecting
6. Choose for the prevailing conditions
7. Use plants that self-seed, such as aquilegia, foxgloves and verbena

Planting and aftercare

• Add organic matter to the area before planting. This is the single most important element of preparation, whatever your soil type, as it improves soil structure by creating air spaces. Use garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure in preference, or a dedicated
  Any substance dug into the soil to improve its structure. This is usually organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, garden compost or leafmould, but could be an inert substance such as lime or gypsum.

  soil improver if this isn’t possible. Always avoid spreading bagged potting
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

  compost on beds and borders, as this is designed for use in containers and won’t be as effective as
  Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

  mulching with garden compost or other suitable organic matter
• Work off boards when borders are wet
• ‘Mound plant’ trees. By planting onto a mound 25cm (10in) at its middle, drainage can be greatly improved. To make watering easier in summer, especially in the establishment year, ensure the top of the mound is slightly saucer-shaped
• Use surface mulches to keep moisture in the ground for summer. If organic mulches (garden compost, well-rotted manure or a dedicated soil improver) are washed away, try using gravel
• Water well and regularly for one or two summers to establish plants before expecting them to survive drought. Specimen shrubs and trees will need a couple of years watering in summer
• Once plants are established, water only when absolutely neccessary – “Train your plants to be drought atheletes” (Janet Manning – RHS Water Reduction Officer)  

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Perennials, grasses and bulbs for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Shrubs and climbers for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

Trees for seasonally wet and dry soils

Over winter 2023/4, we carried out interviews with garden staff and other professionals at RHS Gardens, the National Trust, RHS partner gardens and private nurseries and gardens.

We asked which plants cope best with wet winters and dry summers. ​The criterion was that plants are not watered in summer, or only minimally watered to keep them alive. They provided lists of plants along with background to their growing conditions.

Our recommendation pages are the results of this work, desk research and input from our Environmental Horticulture team. The lists complement the field research and lab-based work undertaken by the RHS Science teams. 

Gardens to visit with seasonally wet and dry soil

Ballyrobert Gardens, Ballyclare, NI - an RHS partner garden
Birkheads Secret Gardens, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - an RHS partner garden
Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester - National Trust
Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens, Spilsby, Lincolnshire - National Trust 
Knoll Gardens, Wimborne, Dorset - an RHS partner garden 
Mitchmere Farm, Stoughton, Hampshire - National Gardens Scheme
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Kent -  National Trust and RHS Partner Garden 

To learn more

Cameron, R, King, C. 2012. Flooding tolerance in four ‘Garrigue’ landscape plants: Implications for their future use in the urban landscapes of north-west Europe? Urban and Landscape Planning. Volume 107, Issue 2: 100-110
Tree Species Selection for Green Infrastructure - A guide for specifiers - Dr.Andrew D. Hirons and Dr. Henrik Sjöman
Niinemets U, Valladares F. 2006. Tolerance to Shade, Drought and Waterlogging of Temperate Northern Hemisphere Trees and Shrubs. Ecological Monographs.  76:4: 521-547