After some construction to convert a brook in a cement culvert the back yard, at the bottom of my hill, was left as levelled clay. This area grows great grass but never dries enough to take the weight of the mower. I am forced to weed wack the area. Does anyone have suggestions on plants that could dry out the soil?
I don't know of any plants grown specifically to dry out soil, maybe some one on here does. But it sounds like a drainage problem that needs to be corrected. If it stays 'boggy' there you could find some sort of grass type plant that grows well in boggy areas and that doesn't require mowing.
Any sort of plants that enjoy wet feet, willows, certain wildflowers. Cannas love wet feet. Wild iris, Border plants and marginals that grow around and in ponds. You may consider a rain garden for the area. Maybe a small drain field or line is in order. Ron
Sounds like a great place to grow highbush blueberries...do they do well in your area? They won't dry out the area, but you should get huge berries if it is moist. (They have blueberry fields here in areas that flood during the winter (bogs) and dry out in the summer, much like what you are describing.
HI, In my 'wet corner' in shade and heavy clay, I have Ostrich ferns, Goatsbeard, tiarella, Filipendula, Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia x gerardi. Hostas, foxgloves and a white corydalis grow on the somewhat drier edges. moderator's note: removed website links, see point 1.1 of usage rules
