Wet soil close to a house with concrete foundation

Question

We purchased a house last year, but too late in the year to do anything about the problem. I have an area outside the back door which stays wet. In fact, mold grows there quite readily. It never receives any sun, no matter the time of year. I would like to know if there are any plants that would grow in this type of area that would help to keep it dry? I do know that the lay of the land is not good, so I am thinking about putting in a concrete block retaining wall to direct that water away from the door. That would help, but I don’t think it would solve the problem entirely. So I was thinking of turning it into a garden, with a stone walkway through it, until it gets to where some sun does shine occasionally.

I also have an area by the front door, same basic problem, but this does receive some sun later in the day, especially in the winter months. Do you have a list of plants I could plant in this type of wet area? It is driving me crazy. I don’t know if a landscape artist would be of any great help. I think just plantings that will suck up the water is all that will be needed.

Many thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer 1

Plants don’t “suck up” water the way you are hoping. There are plants that are adapted to wet areas; these are called bog-loving plants, but they require a good amount of sun. There are also a lot of plants that can be used in shady areas. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/finding-a-shade-loving-plant.htm
but they will be getting a lot of root rot in wet soil. Your best bet would be to have the drainage corrected, both for the health of your home foundations, as well as allowing you to make a beautiful shade garden.