Honeysuckle vines can tolerate damp soil conditions.

The soil around our fountain stays wet, and the vines we plant on our trellis soon die from excess moisture. What should we do? -Karen

Wet areas are tough for growing most plants. Soggy soil can cause plants to rot, and the overload of water and humidity messes up the balance of air and nutrient circulation around the plants. Try these tips for growing plants around a fountain:

Reduce Overspray

The water should be staying in the fountain, not spraying out. Adjust your fountain pump to reduce the flow of water.

Improve Drainage

Often the biggest problem isn’t the water but the drainage. If the soil doesn’t drain, the plants will drown. You can increase drainage by:

• Adding compost and organic matter to the soil.
• Planting vines on small mounds (3”- 4” high) or in raised beds.
• Growing the vines in containers.

Vine Selection

All plants need good drainage, but some are more tolerant of damp soil than others. Here are some suggestions for vines to try:

                Trumpet vine

• Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata)
• Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala)
• Honeysuckle varieties (Lonicera sp.)
• Ivy varieties (Hedera helix)
• Jasmine varieties (Gelsemium sp.)
• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
• Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Tags: , fountain, honeysuckle, ivy, soil, trumpet vine, vine, Virginia creeper