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My backyard floods between January and April along the outmost edge of my property. I want to plant some shrubs or bushes along the edge of my yard where the flooding occurs to alleviate some of the flooding. Can anyone recommend a species of bush or shrub that will grow in zone 5 in a mostly clay soil that is tolerant of very dry and very wet conditions?

2007-01-29 04:32:19 · 7 answers · asked by I_dun_doodit 2 in Home & Garden Garden & Landscape

The area in question butts up against my neighbors yard. My neighbor drains her sump into her backyard and floods a portion of mine right along the property line. It floods in the spring when the snow melts or after several days of rain in the spring, summer, or fall. I was hoping that the looser soil and (hopefully) established roots would at least give the water more room to move into the earth.

2007-01-30 04:24:34 · update #1

If shrubs won't live in an area that floods for a week at a time or more, are there any water loving grasses that might help improve the situation?

2007-01-30 04:26:54 · update #2

7 answers

As for the neighbor dumping water and causing your property to flood; you can raise your ground level along that edge and force the water back onto her property...or...you can create an intercepting drain that captures the water and carries it away to a lower area.

The problem appears tho you also have flooding from natural rain and snow melt.........so that area is the low spot?? That is indeed a problem since few if any plants will tolerate saturated/flooded soils for long periods. You are basically dealing with marsh plants such as sedges and reeds. If you have a near constant high wate line from year to year, you can plant just above that line with woody plants that wouldn't be totally submerged. Willow is one such example (remembering they also come in smaller shrub sizes too). Contact your county agent for more ideas for water-loving or riparian plants for your area.

2007-02-03 04:16:47 · answer #1 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0 0

Shrubs will not thrive in soggy soil - sorry. I have a fair amount of water in my large yard during our winters (coastal). I do have some very old laurels planted in our yard (before we bought the place). They don't reduce the water at all.

I planted some weeping willows (now huge) and - they love the water, but I don't think they make any difference either.

Depending on your site, you might consider installing a drainage pipe. If you possibly can - raising the soil level is another consideration; however, expensive.

2007-01-29 14:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 1 0

Shrubs aren't the answer, You may need to regrade your yard. If that's not an option (Wetland Regs.) try planting some shrubs or trees which tolerate wet soils such as red maple, willow, sweet pepperbsh. Good Luck

2007-01-29 19:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by riverbirch12345 2 · 1 0

Good luck i live in zone 5 and work in a nursery, I dont think any shrub would like this spot in your yard. However- depend on how much sun you get?? North or south side?? Sedum would maybe work. Its a fall flower. Grow very fast and are bush like.Would love full sun. It just depends on alot --- Does it flood there for a day or two or like weeks? If you have standing water their for more then a week or two some grasses might do it for ya.

2007-01-29 22:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by umindy78 2 · 1 1

I don't see how shrubs will keep your backyard from flooding. If the flooding is from a creek the last thing you want is shurbs blocking the water flow. You need to level your yard.

2007-01-29 12:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by Alex 4 · 0 0

Do you have room for a willow tree? They love the water and I know some people near me who plant them in low-lying areas to prevent standing water.

2007-02-02 20:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by Haley 3 · 0 0

shrubs won't do it. you need to change the grade of the yard. (raise it).

2007-01-29 12:53:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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