Question
I have an area of my yard that holds moisture - even soggy if it gets too much rain, and can literally take a week to dry out.  I am trying to find trees/shrubs/plants that can be set out there - hoping they will pull some of the water.  I am in a neighborhood, and a tree that gets more than 20-25 ft is not good.  I recently planted 2 Weeping Cherry Trees, and am interested in  shrubs/plants that would go around them.  I already put in a sprinkler system, as we had drought in AL in 2006/2007, so I am not able to install a french drain to pull the water off.  Can you help with suggestions?   My county agent advised we are considered Zone 8, but last spring and this spring we have had LOTS of rain.. hence my problem.  Any help you can give will be great!

Answer
Hi Donna,
Sorry it took so long to get your question answered.  Here are some ideas.

Swamp maple, swamp azalea, shrub dogwood, yellow twig dogwood, St. John'swort, winterberry, Louisiana iris, Virginia iris, yellow flag, Japanese iris, Mountain laurel, willows, sweet bay magnolia, high bush blueberry, cobra plant, cardinal flower, marsh mallow, marsh marigold, peppermint, rose mallow, arrowwood, bayberry, Carolina allspice, cranberry, elderberry, swamp rose, sunberry and summersweet.  I hope this helps.
Tom