"homer" wrote in
:

No that's not how people describe me! Its the state of part of my
garden. What kinds of flowers/shrubs/plants tolerate or even prefer
these conditions? I'm looking for something that's colourful, pretty
and can take care of it self (sort of like Wonder Woman!)
It must like wet soil and the occasional glimpse of the sun.

Is your garden damp because it rains a lot and there isn't much sun to dry
things off, or damp because the water doesn't run away?

My garden has a lot of shady and damp, being on the north side of a foggy
river valley, but is also quite well-drained, so rather different plants
are needed to a bog garden where there is standing water close to the
surface.

Some of the creeping campanulas like shady and damp. Look for anything
described as 'invasive'. Bluebells, if not absolutely sodden and boggy.
Primulas like damp, if you have somewhere that gets maybe an hour or so of
sun.

For bright colour in deep shade, consider impatiens - they aren't winter
hardy, but you can get a batch of them very cheaply in the spring, let them
flower very cheerfully right through the summer, then let them die off.

I prefer to have all one colour which for some reason is hard to get hold
of so I propagate mine from cuttings, but if you don't mind a colour mix,
most nurseries /garden centres sell them as cheap and easy bedding.

Oh, if it's a bit wild down there, get some red campion seed and sprinkle.
Great stuff: very tolerant of damp and shade and one of the few pink
flowers I'll tolerate. Could also try Ragged Robin (also available in
white.)

Victoria