"Andy" wrote in message
...
As they need their feet in water - or at least very damp - wouldn't it
get a bit thirsty? Unless you had a bog next to the house in which
case you'd probably get rising damp.

It is in a shady, damp corner of the garden next to the house. The garden
has a natural slope so water runs down and puddles before draining away very
slowly although quick enough that the house shouldn't be affected. Surface
water rarely stays for more than 24 hours. The gunnera is planted in a hole
lined with pond liner with a few holes in it so it doesn't turn into a
puddle.

Martin