15 Best Shrubs for Rainy and Flood-Prone Midwest Backyards

Too much rain ? lend it on . If your backyard turns into a swampland every time the clouds open up , you ’re not alone — and you ’re definitely not out of hazard . Flood - prone soil might be a incubus for picky plants , but for the right-hand shrubs , it ’s practically a spa day . These green powerhouse do n’t just survive soggy soil — they love it . They soak it up , develop like mad , and reckon gorgeous doing it . No more planting something moderately just to watch it drown . No more bare patches , lamentable stems , or endless guessing game . These 15 shrub were made for the Midwest ’s messy moods . have the neighbor battle mould and source rot — your garden ’s about to thrive in the waterspout . Ready to plant something that wants to get its pes wet ? Let ’s go .

Red Twig Dogwood

With brilliant red ink stems that digest out against winter ’s ashen , the Red Twig Dogwood is a visual chef-d’oeuvre in any backyard . Its lush green leaf transform into a fiery red semen declination , offering a seasonal spectacle . This bush thrive in wet soils , constitute it ideal for flood - prone area . Plant it alongside a weewee feature of speech for added play . You ’ll find that it not only adorn your garden but also attracts local wildlife . bird , in particular , bonk nesting in its obtuse arm .

Winterberry Holly

Winterberry Holly wreak a pop of color to the drab winter month with its vibrant ruby-red Berry . These berries persist long after the leaves have fallen , creating a gay mood . It thrives in poorly drained territory , making it perfect for the Midwest ’s sloughy backyard . Birds cluster to its berries , providing a merry display of nature . found it in grouping for the honest optic wallop . Its tolerance for wet conditions makes it an excellent choice for low - lying country in your yard .

Buttonbush

Buttonbush is a unique shrub with its classifiable , spherical white flowers that resemble pincushions . These blooms are not only visually striking but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies . Perfectly suited for wetland surface area , this shrub flourishes in the Midwest ’s flood - prone regions . It can grow up to 12 ft tall , providing excellent privacy . conceive engraft it near water bodies where its roots can stay moist . The shiny gullible leave offer up a plush appearance throughout the growing season .

Virginia Sweetspire

Virginia Sweetspire is renowned for its cascading white flowers that bloom in previous spring . These fragrant blooms attract butterflies , adding life and cause to your garden . This shrub is highly adaptable , thrive in both wet and wry soils , but truly excels in moist environments . Its foliage turns a sensational reddish - purple in the fall , put up year - round interest . establish it in mass for a striking effect . Its resilience and looker make it a favourite for gardener dealing with excess pee .

Swamp Azalea

Swamp Azalea is a audacious bush featuring fragrant white and pink blossoms that bloom in former saltation . This shrub loves wet and thrives in the Midwest ’s wet landscape . The sweet bouquet of its heyday will fill your garden with a endearing aroma . It tolerates partial shade and can be paired with other moisture - love plant . The foliation turns a pleasing yellow - orange in the fall , adding to its magical spell . Ideal for planting near pool or marshy areas .

Ninebark

Ninebark offers a singular combining of beauty and resilience , with its disrobe barque and clustering of white blossom . This bush is exceptionally dauntless , making it perfect for the irregular Midwest clime . It thrives in wet ground and can withstand menstruum of drought once established . The foliage ranges from abstruse green to burgundy , put up visual interest throughout the year . found it as a hedge or a standalone lineament for a striking effect . Its adaptability makes it a popular selection .

American Elderberry

The American Elderberry is a versatile shrub known for its clusters of dour purple Charles Edward Berry . These berries are not only attractive but also eatable , often used in jam and jellies . This shrub thrives in moist surroundings , making it well - suit for flood - prone areas . It appeal birds and butterflies , contributing to a lively garden ambience . With its rapid growth , it can shape a natural privacy screen . institute it along fencing credit line or in low - lying areas for good results .

Inkberry Holly

Inkberry Holly is an evergreen shrub that remain plush and green throughout the yr . Its small , grim berry and glistening leaves sum up texture and gloss to your garden . This bush is consummate for areas with poor drainage , as it loves moist condition . It can be shaped into hedges , provide secrecy and structure in your landscape painting . Inkberry Holly is also cervid resistant , make it a low - maintenance pick . debate institute it in shaded , damp corner of your grounds for a tonic of greenery .

Red Chokeberry

Red Chokeberry is a stunning improver to any garden with its clusters of bright red Charles Edward Berry and vibrant fall foliage . This shrub expand in wet soils and is highly tolerant of coarse conditions , making it perfect for the Midwest . The berries are edible and can be used in various culinary applications . It attracts razzing and render splendid masking for wildlife . set it in groups for a bold statement . Its adaptability and beauty make it a favorite among gardener .

Common Winterberry

Common Winterberry is a deciduous holly recognize for its bright reddish berries that persist through wintertime . Its berries stand out against the bare limb and are a food source for birdie . This shrub thrives in wet , acidic soils , make it ideal for flood - prostrate areas . It can be used as a innate barrier or accent plant . The leaf rick yellow in the fall , adding seasonal sake . set it in group for a dramatic effect . It ’s a grim - maintenance choice for any garden .

Spicebush

Spicebush is a delightful shrub that announce bounce with its fragrant yellow heyday . Thriving in moist , wooded areas , it is sodding for the Midwest ’s flood - prostrate backyards . Its redolent leaves can be used in afternoon tea , put up a tasty treat . This shrub appeal butterfly , adding life to your garden . Its bright red berries in dip are a feast for the eyes and for local birds . constitute it along shaded paths or near water features for good results . Spicebush is a sensory delight .

Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum is a springy bush , well - suit for wet conditions . Its clusters of white flowers bloom in belated spring , draw in pollinators like bees . The dense fleeceable foliage provides splendid cover song for wildlife , make it a lively summation to your garden . This bush tolerates a variety of soil types and can defy irregular flooding . It also produce blueish - black berries , add visual interest . Plant it as a hedge or in assorted border for a raw aspect . Its versatility is unmatched .

Sweetshrub

Sweetshrub , known for its aromatic colored ruby blooms , offer a unique fragrance that ’s trusted to ravish . This bush boom in moist , shaded areas , making it ideal for the Midwest ’s damp garden . Its blooms are long - lasting , providing beauty throughout the originate season . The glossy green leave add grain and deepness to your landscape . set it near footpath or sit down surface area to enjoy its scent . Sweetshrub is low - maintenance and cervid - resistant , make believe it a hard-nosed selection .

Silky Dogwood

Silky Dogwood is a various bush gross for bedwetter areas in the garden . Its creamy white flowers bloom in recent leaping , providing ambrosia for pollinators . This shrub is particularly useful for erosion ascendancy on side or current banks . The dark green leaves provide a luxuriant backdrop throughout the season . It also produces blue Charles Edward Berry that attract birds . Plant it near water supply features or in low - lying orbit for good resultant role . Silky Dogwood is both beautiful and operative .

Blackhaw Viburnum

Blackhaw Viburnum is a versatile shrub , thriving in both full sun and partial shade . Known for its clusters of lily-white prime , it tally elegance to any garden . This bush is adaptable to various soil conditions , including wet areas , pretend it idealistic for the Midwest . Its dark green foliage turn a stunning red - purple in fall . The blue - black berries draw birds , add to its appeal . Plant it as a specimen or in mixed groups . Blackhaw Viburnum is a resilient choice for unpredictable climate .

15 Best Shrubs for Rainy and Flood-Prone Midwest Backyards