By Frankish
France 
Good People - I've just bought a water mill in France and am keen to get advice from members on what to plant in wet conditions. There is a small lake with boggy ground around it full of reeds at the moment. As a enthusiastic gardener, but frankly a beginner, I'm keen to get your excellent advice on what plants, shrubs and trees to look at. Thanks SO much in advance, looking forward to getting your advice!
27 Jul, 2011
Answers
Lucky you. sounds as if you need to get together with Karenfrance? why have a look at her photos and hopefully she will see this anyway.
27 Jul, 2011
Scroll down to the bottom of the page click on 'B' and then on 'bog plants' you'll get lots of ideas.
27 Jul, 2011
Louisiana Iris, in the South, or Japanese Iris, in the North
27 Jul, 2011
Hi Frankish,
Wecome to GoY! There are a few of us here who garden in France...which department are you in? K
28 Jul, 2011
if you have room gunnera is a lovley huge rubarb reletive .
28 Jul, 2011
Hi Frankish...Wecome to GOY Lots of good advice from above, or you can google....bog garden plants, and you'll find ample to choose from...
I am a fellow France dweller...we are in the Loire Valley..
2 Aug, 2011
Folks - many thanks for the kind responses - will investigate! Any suggestions for trees to firm up the ground around a lake?
2 Aug, 2011
Willow love to be near water and look really splendid....if you have the room...
2 Aug, 2011
Yes, willows are lovely and do very well here...then there's the yellow mimosa, which you have to keep on top of!...and the other similar tree with pink flowers...sorry I've forgotten what it's called...hopefully, you'll know, Sue...
2 Aug, 2011
There's a Mimosa Silk Tree, that has beautiful fibre optic type fowers, but again it can be invasive...is that the one you mean Karen...
2 Aug, 2011
That's the one, thanks Sue! Would suggest not being tempted by bamboo unless you have a lot of land...lots of people around here have lived to regret it...looks fantastic...really, really difficult to control once established...
2 Aug, 2011
:o)))
2 Aug, 2011
if you weight till thev trees are dorement go to a nice weeping willow . cut of a nice piece with new growth and plant it near the edge and in the spring youl have your own weeping willow .
2 Aug, 2011
ha! NP, you could easily do that...there are lots of wild ones, everywhere...and neighbours are often very good at giving away bits and pieces :)
2 Aug, 2011
:)) Is that what they call plants for free...
2 Aug, 2011
Skunk cabbage, Lysichiton americanus, would also love your boggy ground though it too can be invasive!
2 Aug, 2011
Taxodiums would work also, Pond Cypress (T. ascendens) in the north, or Bald Cypress (T. distichum) or Montezuma Cypress (T. mucronatum) in the south. The first two are deciduous, with soft yellow and bronze fall color, while the last is semi-evergreen. All are lovely, ferny, semi-weeping trees, with massive, fluted trunks.
2 Aug, 2011
I know, just wish I had a Lake...:(( have a Pond just a tad bigger than a puddle...:o)) wouldn't work...
3 Aug, 2011
yes crissue it is lol but best to ask unless there wild somewear not that there natural to england x .
3 Aug, 2011
Previous question
astilbe ,cotton grass, ferns . Look at what grows well around pond edges in your area then you will see what will thrive in similar conditions. Welcome ..I am also new to the site.
27 Jul, 2011