Lots of gardeners deal with at least one area of their property that never seems to dry out. As horticulturist Joseph Henderson explains in his article Plants for Soggy Spots, lots of plants flounder in these kinds of conditions: “Without a steady supply of air, waterlogged roots begin to gasp and eventually rot, killing the foliage above.”

Thankfully, a soggy spot doesn’t require a complete garden overhaul; it just requires the right plants that thrive in consistently wet conditions. Below, you’ll find plants for wet areas in the South. To find even more plants for wet soil, check out Joseph’s article: Plants for Soggy Spots.

1. Giant Black-Eyed Susan

Name: Rudbeckia maxima

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

Size: 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil

Native to wet areas in several southeastern states, giant black-eyed Susan deserves more use in ornamental gardens. The coarse-textured leaves are 6 to 8 inches long and form a mounding mass of incredible blue-gray foliage. In summer, stems up to 6 feet tall grow out of the base of the plant to display large daisylike flowers. This is a plant that’s sure to stop you in your tracks.

2. Dwarf Palmetto

Name: Sabal minor

Zones: 7 to 10

Size: 5 to 8 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist or well-drained soil

Palms generally need good drainage, but the dwarf palmetto is right at home in swampy areas along the Gulf Coast, where it is native. A trunkless species, the growing point stays near ground level while the fronds grow up in a fountainlike arrangement. The fan-shaped fronds provide wonderful texture. This plant is smaller in dry locations.