Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Although we are going to give you a list of native plants for North Carolina from our own Native Plant Database, we thought you might also like to look at Recommended Native Plant Species for Stream Restoration in North Carolina by Karen Hall, NC Stream Restoration Institute, North Carolina State University. 

An excerpt from a previous Mr. Smarty Plants response to a similar question; this time it was referred to as a "bioswale." You didn't say what your soil is, but there is a very good website included in this excerpt on bioswale construction, which may or may not be apropos to your situation. 

Common swales are typically vegetated with turf grass and are a conveyance tool, basically a grassy stormwater sewer that conveys water as quickly as possible from Point A to Point B. A bioswale differs in that the turf grass is replaced with native prairie vegetation. This will significantly reduce the flow velocity (slow down of the runoff) in the swale’s drainage course. The residence time of the runoff is thus increased, which gives it the time to be stored, filtered, and infiltrated. These processes remove pollutants and suspended solids from runoff.

In terms of soil, we found this information on bioswale construction, from the USDA, which shows compost tilled into the native soil (clay, in this instance) to facilitate the drainage. The plants we have selected are all perennial, tolerate shade, and will grow in moist, clay soils. These are plants with fibrous roots that will hold in the soil when water is rushing by, help to slow it down, and permit the pollutants in the water to be filtered out. 

Since many of our suggestions are basically for prairie grasses, you might be interested in reading our How-To Article Recreating a Prairie, which has instructions for time of year to be planting, preparing the soil, planting and caring for the grasses. We will also recommend some other plants that can stand wet feet and shady conditions. Follow the web link to the page for the individual plant, and decide which plants will best suit your purposes. When you are ready to begin, go to our Native Plant Suppliers section, put your town and state in the Enter Search Location box, and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and landscape consultants in your general area who can help you select the right plants for your purpose.

Plants for shady and wet conditions

Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)

Arundinaria gigantea (giant cane) - pictures

Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense (Jamaica swamp sawgrass)

Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass)

Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail)

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)

Bacopa monnieri (herb of grace)

Equisetum arvense (field horsetail)

Equisetum hyemale var. affine (scouringrush horsetail)

Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)

Helianthus angustifolius (swamp sunflower)

Iris prismatica (slender blue iris)

Justicia americana (American water-willow)

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)

Andropogon gerardii

Calamagrostis canadensis

Chasmanthium latifolium

Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense

Leersia oryzoides

Typha latifolia

Asclepias incarnata

Bacopa monnieri

Equisetum arvense

Equisetum hyemale var. affine

Equisetum hyemale

Helianthus angustifolius

Iris prismatica

Justicia americana

Phyla nodiflora