suggestions for perennials in a damp sunny spot zone 6a

I have a low lying area that gets sun all day. It doesn't drain well remaining wet when the rest of the garden isn't.
Currently daylillys and cardinal flower are growing there. Siberian Iris and astilbe are further back, across the garden path, getting some shade from trees that make up the back of the border.
Any other perennial flowers for a damp area with a western exposure?
I live in NE Ohio. We can get alot of snow during the winter. I've lost plants to rot in this area of my garden.

Here is some info for you

http://www.pwd.org/pdf/water_resources/conservation%20fact%20sheets/sun_and_wet.pdf

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/ext/Pubs/HO/HO_227.pdf

Thanks for the links. I saw that your reply was posted at 1 in the morning. Appropriate name, themoonhowl.

You are welcome Ruza...the late night is a bit of a rarity these days, but fortunately most nights the moonrise is well before bedtime...GRIN

Moon

There are many plants to suit your wet / damp conditions with sun and shade so here are some sugestions to research for your area.
Hosta's (some type)
Astilbe
Lisimachia.
Mimulus.
Polygonum M.
Zantedeschia M Aq.
Ranuncuus.
Primula.
These are just a few plants that would fit the bill for you but, I have given the plant name, within that type they are not all suitable for wet or sun so you should really check which plants say from the Hosta family that would suit the wet area you have as some would rot at the roots where as some thrive in damp shade, so do your research first and take note of the name, hight, sun / shade. colour ect so you dont waste lots of money not to mention time and dissapoinment later down the line. good luck and let us know how you get on as there are several ways / things to add to your soil that would also help like gravel will mabe help the drainage ect, but most important, just enjoy your new project.
WeeNel.

Thanks for the suggestions WeeNel. I've found that when putting in new perennials /shrubs double digging down to the clay layer, removing it by the spade-full, refilling with a mixture of the top layer and some good organic matter has eleviated the "soup bowl" effect in most of the garden. Having had to relocate fequently, I'm now retired so hopefully this garden will be my last until I'm planted in the ground.

Your very welcome ruza, hope your project fulfills all your expectations, lets hope you have more holes to dig and more planting to see to before you reach the stage of going to seed yourself and being set out in the last resting place, like myself, all I ask of my family that the spot they choose will be fertile, beauty all around and ofcource, easy access so friends can visit ha, ha, ha.
Good luck, let us know how it all goes. WeeNel.

Ilex does well in wet areas
and here's a list after doing a search for wet tolerant plants
http://www.gardencrossings.com/index.cfm

This message was edited May 16, 2012 11:39 AM