Bushes, Shrubs or Trees That Absorb Water Well

For Standing Water

Not many plants tolerate sites covered with water. The buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an exception. This deciduous shrub grows 6 to 10 feet tall and blooms with aromatic, white flowers in late spring. The buttonbush's flowers attract pollinators, but its foliage is toxic to livestock. Buttonbushes prefer full sun and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 10.

The Tartarian dogwood (Cornus alba) also tolerates sites with standing water. This shrub grows quickly to heights of 8 to 10 feet with a similar spread. Tartarian dogwoods have deciduous, dark green foliage that turns red to purple in fall. Plant in sun to partial shade in zones 3 to 7.

Shade and poorly drained soil can be a challenging combination. Choose shade-tolerant shrubs and trees for sites that receive less then three or four hours of sun each day. The fetterbush (Leucothoe fontanesiana) prefers partial to full shade and tolerates wet soils. This evergreen grows 3 to 6 feet tall with an equal spread and has gloss foliage that turns from red to green to purple or bronze as it matures. Fetterbushes are hardy in zones 6 to 8.

The Ogeechee tupelo (Nyssa ogeche) grows in a variety of wet sites, including swampy or boggy areas. This deciduous tree thrives in sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 7 to 9. Ogeechee tupelo trees grow to 50 feet tall with a 30-foot spread and have silvery foliage and red, edible fruits.

If a site receives direct sunlight all day long, choose species that prefer full sun exposure. The golden larch (Pseudolarix kaempferi) tolerates wet soil and grows best in sites with wind protection and full sun exposure. This deciduous conifer has green needles that turn orange to yellow in fall. Golden larch trees grow to 50 feet tall with a 40-foot spread and are hardy in zones 4 to 7.

The deciduous nutall oak (Quercus nutallii) is hardy in zones 5 to 9. This 40- to 60-foot-tall tree grows best in full sun. Nutall oak trees have large leaves that bud in shades of red to purple then turn green. Nutall oaks have red fall foliage and produce small acorns.

Some shrubs and trees adapt to a range of sun, soil and moisture conditions. The inkberry (Ilex glabra), a member of the holly family, tolerates both wet soil and drought. This adaptable evergreen shrub grows 6 to 8 feet tall with a slightly wider spread. It's named for its black, long-lasting berries. Inkberries prefer sun to partial shade and acidic soil and are hardy in zones 5 to 9.

The giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata) thrives in sun to partial shade and tolerates wet, even clay, soils. This conical evergreen tree has scaly green foliage and reddish-brown bark Giant arborvitaes grow to 80 feet tall with a narrow, 20-foot spread. They are hardy in zones 5 to 8.