Garden Q&A: What plants will help dry waterlogged soil?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Trees such as willow will thrive in damp soil. File pictures

My soil is very wet and is currently waterlogged. Are there any plants that I could plant to dry it up?

ANSWER

Well, to dry it up instantly might be a bit too much of an ask — but you are certainly thinking in the right direction. Good gardening is all about using the right plant in the right place and there are many plants that enjoy a damp soil.

It's far better in areas like this to use the right plants as opposed to trying to change the environment to suit the plants. 

Hydrangea, above, and shrubs such as dogwood, with its fabulous winter stems, will delight in their roots being dipped in the water, as will perennials such as rheum, hemerocallis and darmera. Trees such as willow will thrive in these conditions as will alder and, to a lesser degree, birch.

• Got a gardening question for Peter Dowdall? Email [e-mail]