Recommended trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials for wet areas
Below is a listing of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials which can grow in wet or moist soils. You will notive that willows and serviceberry are not on this list. Weeping willow in particular like to grow near water but not in it. Seviceberry is often listed as liking moist soils but this does not play out in the clay soils of Cincinnati. In Cincinnati, serviceberry prefers drier soils.
This list includes both native and non-native plants but seeks to exclude invasive species.
30 feet to 50 feet
40 feet to 50 feet
30 feet to 50 feet
Acer rubrum ‘Frank Jr’ Redpointe©
30 feet to 50 feet
Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’ Red Sunset™
30 feet to 50 feet
.JPG&Genus=Acer&Species=rubrum&Common=Red%20Sunset%20Red%20Maple&Cultivar=%27Franksred%27%20Red%20Sunset%E2%84%A2)
Acer rubrum ‘Magnificent Magenta’ Burgundy Belle®
35 feet to 45 feet
40 feet to 50 feet
(Medium).JPG&Genus=Acer&Species=x%20freemanii&Common=Autumn%20Blaze%20Maple&Cultivar=%27Autumn%20Blaze%27)
Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’
50 feet to 60 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Acer&Species=x%20freemanii&Common=Autumn%20Blaze%20Maple&Cultivar=%27Autumn%20Blaze%27)
Acer x freemanii ‘Celzam’ Celebration®
40 feet to 60 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
6 feet to 10 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Aesculus&Species=parviflora&Common=Bottlebrush%20Buckeye&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Aesculus&Species=parviflora&Common=Bottlebrush%20Buckeye&Cultivar=)
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.JPG&Genus=Amorpha&Species=fruticosa&Common=Indigobush%20Amorpha&Cultivar=)
6 feet to 12 feet
.JPG&Genus=Amorpha&Species=fruticosa&Common=Indigobush%20Amorpha&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Amorpha&Species=fruticosa&Common=Indigobush%20Amorpha&Cultivar=)
10 feet to 20 feet
(Small).JPG&Genus=Aronia&Species=arbutifolia&Common=Red%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
6 feet to 10 feet
.JPG&Genus=Aronia&Species=arbutifolia&Common=Red%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
.jpg&Genus=Aronia&Species=arbutifolia&Common=Red%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
.jpg&Genus=Aronia&Species=arbutifolia&Common=Red%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
.jpg&Genus=Aronia&Species=arbutifolia&Common=Red%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
Brilliantissima Red Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’
6 feet to 8 feet
3 feet to 5 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Aronia&Species=melanocarpa&Common=Black%20Chokeberry&Cultivar=)
Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic’
3 feet to 4 feet
Iriquois Beauty Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa ‘Iriquois Beauty’™
3 feet to 5 feet
4 feet to 6 feet
8 feet
2 feet to 4 feet
6 inches to 12 inches
1 feet to 2 feet
40 feet to 80 feet
40 feet to 55 feet
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(Small).JPG&Genus=Betula&Species=lenta&Common=Sweet%20Birch&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Betula&Species=lenta&Common=Sweet%20Birch&Cultivar=)
40 feet to 70 feet
Betula nigra ‘BNMTF’ Dura-Heat®
35 feet to 60 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Betula&Species=nigra&Common=Dura%20Heat%20River%20Birch&Cultivar=%27BNMTF%27%20Dura-Heat%C2%AE)
Betula nigra ‘Cully’ Heritage™
40 feet to 60 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Betula&Species=nigra&Common=Heritage%20River%20Birch&Cultivar=%27Cully%27%20Heritage%E2%84%A2)
10 feet to 12 feet
(Small).jpg&Genus=Betula&Species=nigra&Common=Fox%20Valley%E2%84%A2%20River%20Birch&Cultivar=%27Little%20King%27)
.JPG&Genus=Betula&Species=nigra&Common=Fox%20Valley%E2%84%A2%20River%20Birch&Cultivar=%27Little%20King%27)
Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch
6 feet to 10 feet
Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank’
36 inches to 48 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
.JPG&Genus=Brunnera&Species=macrophylla&Common=Siberian%20Bugloss&Cultivar=)
3 feet to 5 feet
3 feet to 4 feet
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Overdam’
2 feet to 3 feet
5 feet to 9 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Calycanthus&Species=floridus&Common=Carolina%20Allspice&Cultivar=)
.jpg&Genus=Calycanthus&Species=floridus&Common=Carolina%20Allspice&Cultivar=)
.jpg&Genus=Calycanthus&Species=floridus&Common=Carolina%20Allspice&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Calycanthus&Species=floridus&Common=Michael%20Lindsey&Cultivar=Michael%20Lindsey)
Calycanthus floridus Michael Lindsey
4 feet to 7 feet
2 feet to 8 feet
4 feet to 7 feet
12 inches to 18 inches
2 feet to 3 feet
1 feet to 3 feet
12 inches to 18 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
1 feet to 2 feet
.JPG&Genus=Carex&Species=morrowii&Common=Goldband%20Sedge&Cultivar=%27Goldband%27)
8 inches to 12 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
Carex siderosticha ‘Variegata’
12 inches to 18 inches
1 feet to 3 feet
5 feet to 8 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Cephalanthus&Species=occidentalis&Common=Moonlight%20Fantasy%20Buttonbush&Cultivar=%27Moonlight%20Fantasy%27)
3 feet to 4 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
4 feet to 8 feet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’
2 feet to 3 feet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’
4 feet to 6 feet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’
3 feet to 5 feet
3 feet to 6 feet
12 inches to 60 inches
6 feet to 10 feet
Cornus asperifolia var. drummondii
10 feet to 15 feet
Gray Dogwood or Red-Panicled Dogwood
10 feet to 15 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Cornus&Species=racemosa&Common=Gray%20Dogwood%20or%20Red-Panicled%20Dogwood&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Cornus&Species=sanguinea&Common=Midwinter%20Fire%20Dogwood&Cultivar=Midwinter%20Fire)
Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire
5 feet to 8 feet
7 feet to 9 feet
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6 feet to 10 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
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Eupatorium maculatum ‘Gateway’
4 feet to 7 feet
2 feet to 4 feet
5 feet to 6 feet
6 feet to 8 feet
Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’
30 feet to 50 feet
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Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
30 feet to 50 feet
‘Moraine’ Thornless Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Moraine’
40 feet to 50 feet
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12 inches to 15 inches
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.jpg&Genus=Hamamelis&Species=vernalis&Common=Vernal%20Witchhazel&Cultivar=)
6 feet to 10 feet
Autumn Embers Vernal Witchhazel
Hamamelis vernalis ‘Autumn Embers’
8 feet to 10 feet
6 feet to 10 feet
12 inches to 72 inches
3 feet to 4 feet
Helianthus angustifolius ‘Gold Lace’
5 feet to 6 feet
Helianthus salicifolius ‘Low Down’
1 feet to 2 feet
36 inches to 48 inches
Stinking Hellebore or Green Hellebore
12 inches to 18 inches
.JPG&Genus=Helleborus&Species=foetidus&Common=Stinking%20Hellebore%20or%20Green%20Hellebore&Cultivar=)
12 inches to 18 inches
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Blue Lady’
12 inches to 18 inches
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.JPG&Genus=Helleborus&Species=x%20hybridus&Common=Blue%20Lady%20Lenten%20rose&Cultivar=%27Blue%20Lady%27)
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Pine Knot Select’
12 inches to 18 inches
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Pink Lady’
12 inches to 18 inches
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Red Lady’
12 inches to 18 inches
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.JPG&Genus=Helleborus&Species=x%20hybridus&Common=Lenten%20Rose&Cultivar=%27White%20Lady%27)
Helleborus x hybridus ‘White Lady’
12 inches to 18 inches
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Yellow Lady’
12 inches to 18 inches
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.JPG&Genus=Hibiscus&Species=&Common=Pink%20Cloud%20Rose%20Mallow&Cultivar=%27Pink%20Cloud%27)
3 feet to 4 feet
4 feet to 5 feet
4 feet to 5 feet
3 feet to 4 feet
1 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
12 inches to 24 inches
24 inches to 36 inches
18 inches to 36 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
2 feet to 3 feet
12 inches to 18 inches
12 inches to 18 inches
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
6 feet to 10 feet
(Small).JPG&Genus=Ilex&Species=verticillata&Common=Winterberry%20Holly&Cultivar=)
(Small).JPG&Genus=Ilex&Species=verticillata&Common=Winterberry%20Holly&Cultivar=)
6 feet to 10 feet
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Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’
3 feet to 4 feet
4 feet to 6 feet
Sparkleberry Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata ‘Sparkleberry’
8 feet to 12 feet
6 inches to 8 inches
6 inches to 8 inches
Iris cristata ‘Powder Blue Giant’
6 inches to 8 inches
.JPG&Genus=Iris&Species=pseudacorus&Common=Yellow%20Flag%20Iris&Cultivar=)
18 inches to 30 inches
2 feet to 3 feet
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Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’
3 feet to 5 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
12 inches to 36 inches
60 feet to 75 feet
60 feet to 75 feet
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=)
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Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Silver King’
40 feet to 60 feet
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’
40 feet to 60 feet
.jpg&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=Slender%20Silhouette%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=%27Slender%20Silhouette%27)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=Slender%20Silhouette%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=%27Slender%20Silhouette%27)
.JPG&Genus=Liquidambar&Species=styraciflua&Common=Slender%20Silhouette%20Sweetgum&Cultivar=%27Slender%20Silhouette%27)
2 feet to 4 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
.JPG&Genus=Lonicera&Species=fragrantissima&Common=Fragrant%20honeysuckle&Cultivar=)
6 feet to 8 feet
12 inches to 36 inches
15 feet to 25 feet
.JPG&Genus=Magnolia&Species=virginiana&Common=Sweetbay%20Magnolia&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Magnolia&Species=virginiana&Common=Sweetbay%20Magnolia&Cultivar=)
Northern Belle Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana ‘Northern Belle’
15 feet to 25 feet
40 feet to 70 feet
.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
(Small).jpg&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
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.JPG&Genus=Metasequoia&Species=glyptostroboides&Common=Dawn%20Redwood&Cultivar=)
1 feet to 3 feet
8 feet to 12 feet
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’
6 feet to 8 feet
36 inches to 48 inches
5 feet to 12 feet
40 feet to 60 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Black%20Gum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Black%20Gum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Black%20Gum&Cultivar=)
(Small).JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Black%20Gum&Cultivar=)
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.JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Black%20Gum&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Weeping%20Black%20Gum&Cultivar=%27Penwood%20Weeper%27)
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Penwood Weeper’
30 feet to 60 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Nyssa&Species=sylvatica&Common=Weeping%20Black%20Gum&Cultivar=%27Penwood%20Weeper%27)
40 feet to 60 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 3 feet
2 feet to 4 feet
24 inches to 48 inches
5 feet to 10 feet
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Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’™
6 feet to 8 feet
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Summer Wine’®
5 feet to 6 feet
Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’
18 inches to 24 inches
Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’
2 feet to 3 feet
75 feet to 100 feet
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.jpg&Genus=Platanus&Species=occidentalis&Common=Sycamore&Cultivar=)
75 feet to 100 feet
60 feet to 80 feet
Platanus x acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’
50 feet to 70 feet
(Small).JPG&Genus=Platanus&Species=x%20acerifolia&Common=Suttneri%20Planetree&Cultivar=%27Suttneri%27)
Platanus x acerifolia ‘Suttneri’
40 feet to 60 feet
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(Small).JPG&Genus=Platanus&Species=x%20acerifolia&Common=Suttneri%20Planetree&Cultivar=%27Suttneri%27)
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50 feet to 70 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=bicolor&Common=Swamp%20White%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=bicolor&Common=Swamp%20White%20Oak&Cultivar=)
50 feet to 80 feet
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=nigra&Common=Water%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=nigra&Common=Water%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=nigra&Common=Water%20Oak&Cultivar=)
50 feet to 80 feet
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=palustris&Common=Pin%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=palustris&Common=Pin%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
40 feet to 70 feet
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Quercus&Species=phellos&Common=Willow%20Oak&Cultivar=)
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1 inches to 4 inches
2 feet to 3 feet
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Rudbeckia nititda ‘Autumn Sun’
5 feet to 6 feet
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.JPG&Genus=Rudbeckia&Species=nititda&Common=Autumn%20Sun%20Coneflower&Cultivar=%27Autumn%20Sun%27)
.JPG&Genus=Rudbeckia&Species=nititda&Common=Autumn%20Sun%20Coneflower&Cultivar=%27Autumn%20Sun%27)
30 feet to 40 feet
5 feet to 12 feet
3 feet to 4 feet
2 feet to 4 feet
18 inches to 24 inches
Taxodium ascendens ‘Prairie Sentinel’
50 feet to 60 feet
40 feet to 70 feet
.JPG&Genus=Taxodium&Species=distichum&Common=Bald%20Cypress&Cultivar=)
Cascade Falls Weeping Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’
6 feet to 8 feet
Peve Minaret Dwarf Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’
5 feet to 6 feet
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Taxodium distichum ‘Shawnee Brave’®
40 feet to 60 feet
.JPG&Genus=Thuja&Species=occidentalis&Common=Techny%20Eastern%20Arborvitae&Cultivar=%27Techny%27)
10 feet to 16 feet
24 inches to 30 inches
12 inches to 24 inches
24 inches to 36 inches
3 feet to 4 feet
6 feet to 8 feet
Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’™
6 feet to 8 feet
Chicago Lustre Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’®
6 feet to 8 feet
5 feet to 7 feet
Winterthur Smooth Witherod Viburnum
5 feet to 6 feet
3 inches to 6 inches
1 feet to 2 feet
.JPG&Genus=Silphium&Species=perfoliatum&Common=Cup%20Plant&Cultivar=)
Silphium perfoliatum
.JPG&Genus=Silphium&Species=perfoliatum&Common=Cup%20Plant&Cultivar=)
.JPG&Genus=Silphium&Species=perfoliatum&Common=Cup%20Plant&Cultivar=)
