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Perennials for Moist Soil H to Peltandra - Page 2

© Jojo Sigurgeirson

In zones above 6 they can be grown as bog plants year-round. Regardless of zone, Japanese irises are heavy feeders. Depending on your soil, a liberal application of fertilizer in spring and just before or after bloom is beneficial. Plants under good culture require division every 3-4 years. Your best bloom will be on 2 and 3 year old clumps. When bloom size or plant height decline - divide. For more information on these special irises, which come in many colours and interesting double and single forms, see Society for Japanese Irises.

IRIS PSEUDOACORUS - Yellow Flag is a perennial that grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and emerges from a creeping underground rhizome. It is found in freshwater marshes and is well suited to wet sites, ponds and in both naturalized and formal landscapes. The showy yellow flowers appear in late spring, for about 1 month in total.

JUNCUS (rush) - These plants are characterized by round leafless stems. Juncus Effusus, or Bog Rush is an attractive, tuft forming plant, with leafless stems that twist and curl slightly. They have dense greenish-brown flowers in mid summer. Juncus effusus 'Spiralis' twists and curls to the point that the stems look like corkscrews, and this is very interesting as a specimen next to a pond or in a bog. Both are hardy to zone 5. Juncus ensifolius has very attractive brown, umbel-like flowers, and very straight stems. There are many more Juncus in the world than these, and you will probably find there are some native to your area that would do quite well in your garden. If you want to attract frogs, dragonflies or other riparian members to your garden, rush is a good place to start.

Sedges have edges
Rushes are round

KIRENGOSHOMA PALMATA - These are stunning plants, perfect for a bit of shade in a moist spot. They have yellow flowers in the shape of shuttlecocks in mid to late summer, and maple-shaped leaves. They can be difficult to find and the best way to get them is probably from a division or by seed, as plants seem scarce in many areas and therefore the price can be prohibitive. K. koreana differs from the above by having lighter yellow, more upright flared flowers, slightly narrower foliage. Both like rich soil and will grow to 3 feet tall.

LIGULARIA - All ligularias are very hardy to cold (zone 5) and easy to grow in moist soils that don't dry out. Here is a sampling of species...

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