Living on the Edge, Grounded in Success
Robert E. Lyons
Professor and Director: NC State University/JC Raulston Arboretum

Considering the Sites
Naturally wet areas; inextricable impact on surrounding soils; plants often growing partially submerged.
Natural areas, subject to flooding.
Constructed areas, built-in moist "edges."
Constructed areas, hard edges, little chance for overflow….purely aesthetic.
Considering the Sites
Naturally wet areas
Natural areas, subject to flooding, soils are not constantly wet, but often moist; plants survive occasional flooding up to 6"….."marginals"
Constructed areas, built-in moist "edges."
Constructed areas, hard edges, little chance for overflow…..purely aesthetic.
Considering the sites
Naturally wet areas.
Natural areas, subject to flooding.
Constructed areas, built-in moist "edges;" design includes this feature intentionally.
Constructed areas, hard edges, little chance for overflow…..purely aesthetic.
Considering the sites
Naturally wet areas.
Natural areas, subject to flooding.
Constructed areas, built-in moist "edges."
Constructed areas, hard edges, little chance for overflow, little impact on surrounding soils…..purely aesthetic need for complementary plants.
Exposure
Sun
o Often provides the greatest number of plant choices.
o Probably the most common scenario for water gardens.
Shade
o Is more limiting in possibilities but still quite possible.
o Good arena to select nature woodland species and cultivars thereof.
Plant Type
Herbaceous vs. Woody…..depends on personal tastes, of course; diversity is always preferred.
Vegetative litter due to deciduous woodies is worth considering from a maintenance perspective.
Emphasis may also depend on this speaker’s expertise area!
Life Cycles
PERENNIALS
o Often preferred from a cost and maintenance standpoint.
o Includes herbaceous and woody choices.
ANNUALS
o Showing up in surprisingly greater numbers to complement water gardens.
o Tropical, non-hardy types are included here, too.
Surprising Choices from Unlikely Families
Asclepiads
Hibiscus
Bulbous species
Rudbeckias
Iris
Noteworthy Groups
Ligularias (Ligularia & Farfugia spp.)
Perennial Lobelias
"Composite Trio"; Vernonia, Eupatorium, and Solidago spp.
Selected Species
(sun is best; marginals)
Turtleheads (Chelone)
Obedient Plant (Physostegia)
Bee Balms (Monarda)
Rodgersia
Lizard’s Tail (Saururus)
Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis)
Soggier Candidates
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Pitcher Plants Sarracenia)
Sweet Flag (Acorus)
Cattails (Typha)
Pickerelweed (Pontediera cordata)
Golden Club (Orontium aquaticum)
Summer Shade Candidates
Hostas
Skunk Cabbages (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Jack-in-the-Pulpits (Arisaema)
Arums
Trout Lilies (Erythronium)
Umbrella Plant (Podophyllum peltatum)
Deciduous Woodies
(mostly shrubs)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus)
Summersweet (Clethra)
Fothergilla
Witchhazel (Hamamelis)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
River Birch (Betula nigra)

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