Especially on the banks of bodies of water, the soil is damp to wet, and plants growing there can sometimes even have their feet in the water. Only a few trees can tolerate such soil conditions: some alder and willow species are suitable for the home garden. Both tree species cope excellently with waterlogging.
Which trees are suitable for waterlogging?
For garden areas with waterlogging, alder and willow species are ideal as they tolerate moist to wet soil conditions. Recommended species are Salix caprea, Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki', Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis', Alnus cordata and Alnus incana 'Aurea'.
Willows tolerate permanently wet feet
Willows grow practically everywhere and preferably where there is a lot of water. These uncomplicated trees also have the advantage that their high water consumption makes the soil a little drier: In principle, they work like a living drainage system. For this reason, pastures are often found along fields or field paths. The following willow species are best suited for planting in the garden:
Salix caprea, sal willow:
This is a widespread, native species with a short trunk between five and ten meters high and comparatively thick branches. High-stemmed hanging forms of this species are often cultivated. The branches that grow downwards in arches form bell-shaped crowns.
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki', Japanese willow
This popular willow species is particularly noticeable because of its unusual foliage. The leaves are flamingo red when they shoot, later grey-green and very densely covered with white, occasionally pink dots and spots.
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, corkscrew willow
This species is also characterized by its striking, corkscrew-shaped foliage.
Salix x sepulcralis ‘Erythroflexuosa’, curly willow
The branches and twigs of this small, broad-crowned tree hang over in wide, loose arches. They are colored golden yellow to orange and are sometimes twisted like a corkscrew.
If there is little space, dwarf willows can also be planted, which only grow up to one meter high and up to one and a half meters wide. Salix hastata 'Wehrhanii', Salix lanata ('wool willow') or Salix helvetica ('Swiss willow') are well suited, for example.
Alders are ideal for waterlogging
The native black alder is often found on the banks of standing and flowing water. In addition to this type, the following are particularly suitable for the garden:
- Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis', imperial alder: between eight and ten meters high, loosely structured small tree with overhanging branches
- Alnus cordata, heart-leaved alder: between 15 and 20 meters high, very he althy and robust tree
- Alnus incana 'Aurea', golden alder: up to ten meters high, often multi-stemmed tree with yellow shoots and yellow-green foliage
- Alnus x spaethii, purple alder (also 'Späth's alder'): between 10 and 15 meters high tree with a broadly conical crown, leaves are brownish to dark purple when they shoot and purple-red when the autumn color begins late
Tip
Other native deciduous trees often need a lot of water (especially the leafy species such as linden trees, chestnuts, etc.), but cannot tolerate waterlogging.
