Landscaping Ideas for Boggy Ground

Sunny

• Use several varieties of irises, such as Japanese Iris (Iris kaempferia), Siberian Iris (Iris siberica) and Yellow Flag (Iris pseudocorus) in the center of a sunny boggy area for spring blooms. Plant Bee Balm and Ligularias, which bloom in the summer and fall, as border plants around the edges of the bog. Add clumps of Cinnamon (Osmunda cinnamomea), Ostrich (Matteuccia struphiopteris) and Royal (Osmunda regalis) ferns as contrast to the upright foliage of the irises and the creeping foliage of the border plants.

Shady

• Plant Astilbes, Meadow Rue (Thalictrum spp.) and Solomon's Seals (Polygonatum spp.) with an assortment of ferns for year round interest in a shady bog. Add masses of Bethlehem Sages (Pulmonaria saccharata), Japanese Primroses (Primula japonica) and Foamflowers (Tiarella wherryi) as border plants and groundcovers to provide more blooms.

Carnivorous

• Grow carnivorous plants in boggy acidic soil in full sun for an unusual garden. The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula), the most common carnivorous plant, has hinged leaves that snap shut over insects. Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia) have funnel-shaped leaves with downward-facing hairs that trap insects in a puddle of digestive fluid. Sundew (Drosera spp.) plants are named for the secretions of sticky substance from stalked glands located on its leaves. The substance reflects the sunlight, and attracts and catches insects. The leaves of Southeastern Butterworts (Pinguicula) form a bowl shape and are coated with greasy mucilage that traps insects.