When you’re choosing native plants for wet and dry sites, understanding your soil’s moisture levels is key to long-term success. Whether you’re working with a soggy low spot or a dry, sunny slope, matching the right plants to the right conditions helps create a beautiful, resilient, and low-maintenance landscape.
Native plants aren’t just beautiful—they’re built for where you live. Because they’ve adapted over time to local conditions, native species support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects better than most non-native plants can. When planted in the right spot—whether that’s a dry hillside or a soggy corner of the yard—they’re more resilient, more likely to thrive with less intervention, and better for the ecosystem overall. It’s about working with nature, not against it.
For wetter sites, think lush and pollinator-friendly. Plants like Turtlehead, Cardinal Flower, Canada Anemone, and Marsh Milkweed love the extra moisture and offer color, structure, and habitat. Grasses like Switchgrass, Sweetgrass, and moisture-loving sedges can help stabilize soil and add movement.
Above: Cardinal Flower
Drier areas call for tough, sun-loving natives. Go with Rattlesnake Master, Prairie Smoke, Wild Lupine, and Blanket Flower for texture and blooms. For grasses, try Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, or Prairie Dropseed—all known for their drought tolerance and beauty.
Above: Rattlesnake Master-Mastering texture in the garden.
Choosing the right plant for your site conditions leads to healthier growth, less maintenance, and stronger support for local pollinators and wildlife. Need help picking the right plants? We’re here to help you match your garden’s conditions with native plants that will thrive.