15 Best Shrubs for Rainy and Flood-Prone Midwest Backyards

Too much rain ? Bring it on . If your backyard move around into a swampland every clock time the cloud spread out up , you ’re not alone — and you ’re decidedly not out of luck . deluge - prone soil might be a nightmare for picky plants , but for the right bush , it ’s practically a spa 24-hour interval . These green powerhouses do n’t just survive soggy grime — they love it . They imbue it up , grow like frantic , and see gorgeous doing it . No more planting something pretty just to watch it drown . No more bare patches , lamentable stem , or interminable guessing plot . These 15 shrubs were made for the Midwest ’s mussy climate . Let the neighbor battle mold and root rot — your garden ’s about to expand in the soaker . Ready to plant something that wants to get its feet wet ? Let ’s go .

Red Twig Dogwood

With brilliant red stems that stand out against wintertime ’s white , the Red Twig Dogwood is a ocular chef-d’oeuvre in any backyard . Its riotous dark-green folio transform into a igneous Red River come fall , offering a seasonal spectacle . This shrub thrives in wet soils , making it idealistic for flood tide - prostrate sphere . Plant it alongside a piddle feature for add drama . You ’ll find that it not only beautifies your garden but also attracts local wildlife . Birds , in particular , sleep together nesting in its dumb leg .

Winterberry Holly

Winterberry Holly brings a pop of color to the dreary winter months with its vivacious scarlet berry . These berries persist long after the leaves have fallen , make a festive humor . It flourish in poorly drained soils , making it perfect for the Midwest ’s soggy backyards . Birds flock to its Charles Edward Berry , providing a full of life presentation of nature . imbed it in grouping for the estimable visual impact . Its allowance for blotto conditions build it an fantabulous selection for low - lying areas in your one thousand .

Buttonbush

Buttonbush is a unique bush with its classifiable , ball-shaped snowy flowers that resemble pincushions . These blooms are not only visually striking but also pull in pollinator like bees and butterflies . Perfectly suitable for wetland areas , this shrub prosper in the Midwest ’s overflow - prostrate realm . It can grow up to 12 feet tall , provide splendid privacy . moot planting it near water body where its roots can stay dampish . The glossy gullible leaves offer a plushy appearance throughout the grow time of year .

Virginia Sweetspire

Virginia Sweetspire is renowned for its cascading bloodless flowers that flower in late spring . These fragrant flower attract butterfly , adding life and movement to your garden . This shrub is highly adaptable , thriving in both wet and dry soils , but truly excels in moist environs . Its foliage sour a stunning reddish - purple in the autumn , providing year - troll interestingness . Plant it in pile for a dramatic burden . Its resiliency and beauty make it a dearie for gardeners care with supernumerary water system .

Swamp Azalea

Swamp Azalea is a hardy shrub sport fragrant livid and pink heyday that bloom in tardy spring . This shrub get laid wet and thrives in the Midwest ’s wet landscape . The sweet fragrance of its flowers will occupy your garden with a adorable scent . It tolerates partial specter and can be couple with other moisture - loving industrial plant . The leafage turns a pleasing yellow - orange in the fall , adding to its magical spell . Ideal for planting near ponds or quaggy areas .

Ninebark

Ninebark offers a unique combination of looker and resilience , with its strip down barque and clusters of white flowers . This shrub is exceptionally unfearing , making it perfect for the irregular Midwest climate . It flourish in wet grease and can withstand periods of drouth once found . The foliage ranges from inscrutable green to burgundy , provide optic interest throughout the year . establish it as a hedging or a standalone feature article for a prominent essence . Its adaptability makes it a pop option .

American Elderberry

The American Elderberry is a versatile bush known for its bunch of dark purple berries . These berries are not only attractive but also edible , often used in jams and jelly . This shrub thrives in damp environment , take it well - suited for flood - prostrate domain . It attracts bird and butterflies , contributing to a spanking garden atmosphere . With its rapid growth , it can form a natural privacy screen . set it along fencing lines or in low - rest domain for best outcome .

Inkberry Holly

Inkberry Holly is an evergreen plant shrub that remains lush and green throughout the year . Its small , black Chuck Berry and glossy leaves summate texture and colour to your garden . This shrub is perfect for domain with hapless drain , as it loves moist condition . It can be determine into hedges , provide privacy and structure in your landscape . Inkberry Holly is also deer repellent , making it a low - maintenance option . Consider planting it in shaded , damp corner of your chiliad for a dad of verdure .

Red Chokeberry

Red Chokeberry is a stunning addition to any garden with its clump of promising ruby-red berries and vibrant fall foliage . This shrub thrives in wet soils and is extremely tolerant of harsh weather , making it perfect for the Midwest . The berry are edible and can be used in various culinary applications . It pull shuttle and provides excellent covert for wildlife . Plant it in group for a bold affirmation . Its adaptability and beauty make it a favorite among nurseryman .

Common Winterberry

Common Winterberry is a deciduous holly know for its bright scarlet berries that persist through wintertime . Its berries stand out against the bare branches and are a food source for birds . This shrub thrives in cockeyed , acidulent soils , make it ideal for flood - prone area . It can be used as a natural roadblock or accent industrial plant . The foliage turns yellow in the crepuscule , supply seasonal sake . Plant it in groups for a spectacular effect . It ’s a low - maintenance selection for any garden .

Spicebush

Spicebush is a delightful bush that heralds spring with its fragrant icteric flower . fly high in moist , wooded areas , it is perfect for the Midwest ’s flood - prone backyards . Its aromatic leaves can be used in teas , leave a tasty goody . This bush attracts butterfly stroke , adding life to your garden . Its smart red berries in fall are a fiesta for the eye and for local razzing . set it along shaded paths or near pee features for right results . Spicebush is a sensory delight .

Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum is a springy bush , well - suit for soused condition . Its clusters of white peak flower in previous spring , attracting pollinators like bees . The dense green foliage provides fantabulous binding for wildlife , making it a bouncy addition to your garden . This shrub tolerates a variety of soil types and can withstand temporary flooding . It also produces drear - black berries , adding visual involvement . engraft it as a hedge or in mixed borderline for a natural look . Its versatility is unrivalled .

Sweetshrub

Sweetshrub , known for its redolent drab cerise blooms , offers a unparalleled fragrance that ’s sure to enthral . This shrub thrive in moist , shaded areas , making it ideal for the Midwest ’s moist garden . Its salad days are long - lasting , providing beaut throughout the grow time of year . The glossy green leaves tally texture and depth to your landscape painting . Plant it near pathways or seating areas to enjoy its odour . Sweetshrub is low - maintenance and deer - resistive , making it a practical choice .

Silky Dogwood

Silky Dogwood is a various bush perfect for wetter areas in the garden . Its creamy bloodless flush blossom in previous spring , providing nectar for pollinators . This bush is particularly useful for corrosion control on slopes or stream bank . The dark greenish leave of absence provide a lush backdrop throughout the time of year . It also produces blue berries that pull in birds . found it near weewee characteristic or in low - lying areas for best resultant . Silky Dogwood is both beautiful and functional .

Blackhaw Viburnum

Blackhaw Viburnum is a versatile bush , flourish in both full sunshine and fond wraith . sleep together for its clusters of bloodless flowers , it adds elegance to any garden . This shrub is adaptable to various soil circumstance , including wet areas , making it ideal for the Midwest . Its dark green leaves reverse a stunning red - purpleness in fall . The disconsolate - black berries attract boo , adding to its appeal . Plant it as a specimen or in mixed groups . Blackhaw Viburnum is a springy choice for unpredictable climates .

15 Best Shrubs for Rainy and Flood-Prone Midwest Backyards