There’s always going to be times of the year when it gets really wet. Your yard suffers as a consequence and the rain can even end up killing some of your much-loved plants. The fortunate news is that some varieties absolutely love it. I wish I could say the same about myself.
So, when the sky turns gray and the clouds accumulate overhead, don’t feel that sense of dread about your blooms as you desperately try to keep your soil dry. Instead, embrace the rain-loving plants that thrive in these conditions – and it might even help with drainage in your yard overall. A win-win.
But what are these plants that actually like to soak up the raindrops that other varieties hate? Well, Nick Wood, flower and plant expert at GardeningExpress.co.uk has wisdom to share: “Species like Astilbe, Hydrangea and Hostas love the extra moisture, so instead of battling against the weather, you can work with it to create a thriving and colorful garden.” So, let’s get into the 7 rain-loving plants you should introduce into your soggy soil.
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1. Astilbe
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First up, Astilbe love the rain. As Wood puts it: “Astilbe thrives in damp soil and shady spots. It loves consistent moisture, making it a natural choice for gardens that struggle to dry out after rain.”
Alongside deep green foliage, they are known for their vibrant plume-like flowers ranging from white, pink, dark red and shades of purple.
They’re best planted in spring, which means you’ll have to put in the effort to keep the soil moist for them while they grow, but once the rainy season hits, the weather will take over all the hard work and your Astilbes will thrive.
Astilbes can grow well in USDA zones 3-9.
2. Bistort
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Hardy perennials, Bistort love the damp and can even thrive in bog-like conditions. But that’s not all they’re good at when it comes to your yard. Wood explains: “Its pink flower spikes brighten up wet corners and attract pollinators throughout summer.”
Cylindrically shaped, they’re a pretty unique bloom with heart-shaped or triangular leaves that are particularly striking. Great for planting in spring or fall and even during mild spells in the winter.
Bistorts grow well in USDA planting zones 4-9.
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3. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
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Another heart-shaped flower, unsurprisingly given the name, is the Bleeding Heart that actually prefers to live in moist soil over dry. And because of its beautiful colorful flowers, it’s actually best showcased in the shadier parts of your yard, and therefore damper.
As with any of these plants, Bleeding Heart love the moist soil, but don’t want to be waterlogged, so ensure soil is well-draining.
Bleeding Hearts are suitable for USDA planting zones 3-9.
4. Hostas
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Wood says: “With their big, bold leaves and a wide range of varieties, Hostas flourish in wet ground and shaded areas.” And it’s because of these large leaves that they love a lot of water as they soak it up quickly and require more water to look after their roots.
Ideally, you keep the soil moist, but not overly, as they’re susceptible to root rot if oversaturated. Known for their foliage, they so also grow flowers which stand upright. Hostas generally thrive in USDA zones 3-9.
5. Hydrangea
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Like many of the rain-loving plants on my list, Hydrangeas are known for bringing a vibrancy to your yard and that’s because of their bright colors. Woods describes hydrangeas as “moisture-loving shrubs that reward wet weather with large, vibrant flower heads.”
And they do so in a range of eye-catching colors to show off their large clusters of blooms.
Most hydrangeas grow in USDA zones 3-9, but if you’re planting big leaf hydrangeas, you’re looking at zones 5-11.
6. Monkey Flower (Mimulus Lutea)
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As Wood explains, Monkey Flowers are actually “natively to stream banks and wetlands” which is why it’s no surprising they love the rain. Their delicate little petals are unusually shaped given their name because some say they look like a monkey’s face sticking out its tongue.
It’s easy to look after them, as long as you’ve got plenty of water. They do great in the rain and they’ll look great in your yard.
Monkey Flowers grow best in USDA planting zones 3-10.
7. Primula
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Unlike some of the entries on our rain-loving list, Primula, also known as Primrose, don’t actually mind if they get waterlogged and you can’t say that about a lot of plants.
They’re incredibly robust, even if they look dainty and smell great, which makes them a great plant to have in wet conditions because it mimics their native habitats. And with rain-loving plants, they’ll soak up the soggy soil and protect the other plants that don’t thrive when it’s wet.
Primula are hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
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