Flowers to Plant Around a Water Well

Harrington's Pink

• Harrington's pink (Aster novae-angliae), sometimes called the New England aster, is ideal for planting around a water well. The plant will thrive in normal loam-type soils, or heavy clay soil, and in areas that are regularly damp or wet. These plants may be grown anywhere between 2 1/2 and 6 feet in height, and they produce bold-colored, purple flowers usually 1 inch wide. Harrington's pink does best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8; it may be found from the southern United States into parts of Canada. Growers should plant Harrington's in a spot with full sun exposure and in soil that drains well.

European Cranberrybush

• European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus), sometimes called the Guelder rose, is a hardy shrub ideal for planting in wet conditions. This shrub is native to Europe, northern Africa and northern Asia, and it will do well as far north as Zone 3. It provides excellent color and texture through most of the year. It produces large clumps of white blooms that stay vibrant from late spring through early to mid-summer. During cooler temperatures, the plant produces red berries that attract wildlife. It features lush, green foliage that turns red in the winter. Once established, it will grow to a maximum mature height of 15 feet, and it does best in areas that are permanently damp and provide full sun exposure.

Globeflower

• Globeflower (Trollius europaeus) is a European native that produces bright yellow, orange or purple blooms during the spring and summer. It does best in zones 3 through 9, and it requires full sun exposure and well drained soil that is kept moist or wet. Once established, it requires little care from the grower, and it will reach an average height of 2 feet, with a maximum height of approximately 3 feet. Flowers bloom in April and stay open until June. Growers with animals should beware, as most parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

Primrose

• Primrose (Primula rosea) is a cold-hardy plant native to the Himalayas. It thrives in cold northern areas, especially zones 2 and 3. The plant is a low-stature variety that rarely reaches taller than a foot or two. In spring, primrose produces small flowers with a pink color that will stay vibrant through most of the summer. This plant does well in shady spots or those with partial sun, and it prefers a soil that is kept damp. It should be planted in a soil that retains water well, a characteristic which may be improved by adding peat moss, which increases water retention and lowers pH. The primrose is easily propagated and requires little care once established.