Wet areas make it tough to grow most plants. Soggy soil can cause plants to rot, and the overload of water and humidity disrupts the balance of air and nutrient circulation around the plants.
Here are some helpful tips for growing vines and other plants around a fountain where the soil stays damp.
Reduce Overspray
The water should stay inside the fountain basin, not spray out onto your surrounding plants and soil. Adjust your fountain pump flow rate to the lowest setting to reduce excess moisture.
You can also redirect fountain spray by adjusting the fountain heads. Make sure each head angles back inward toward the center of the fountain. If necessary, add splash guards around the fountain basin rim to block overspray.
Improve Drainage
Proper drainage is essential for healthy plant growth. When soil stays saturated, it robs plant roots of the necessary oxygen. Follow these tips to improve drainage around your fountain.
Often, the main problem is not the water in the fountain but poor drainage in the surrounding soil. If the ground can not absorb water, it will pool on the surface and cause saturated conditions. Here are some ways to improve drainage for plants around a damp fountain:
- Add compost, peat moss, and other organic materials to the soil. Organic materials help aerate the soil so excess moisture can readily drain. Till compost into the top 6 inches of soil before planting.
- Plant vines in raised garden beds around the fountain instead of directly in the ground. Use a depth of 6–12 inches for the raised beds. The extra elevation gets plants up out of excess moisture. Fill beds with a well-draining potting mix, which is lighter and drains better than regular garden soil.
- Grow vine plants in containers set near the fountain. Use containers with drainage holes and a quality potting mix that will not retain too much moisture.
Vine Selection
Choosing the right vines is key to success in your damp fountain beds. Look for these moisture-loving options to create a lush, flowering vertical garden.
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) grows aggressively and can tolerate various soil conditions, including damp clay. It produces bright orange, trumpet-shaped blooms. Provide a sturdy trellis for support. In cold climates, trumpet vine may die back to the ground over winter but regrows vigorously each spring.
English ivy (Hedera helix) thrives in shade and adapts to various soil types. With enough moisture, it spreads quickly across the ground or up walls and trellises. Keep it trimmed back from the fountain to prevent ivy from clogging basin drains. Many ivy varieties have dark green leaves, but variegated types offer cream or white edges for contrast.
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala) adapts well to damp, partially shaded sites under trees. It climbs by producing adhesive roots along its stems. Flat clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. Prune immediately after flowering to shape vines and encourage new growth.
Several honeysuckle (Lonicera) species tolerate soggy soil, including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and European honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum). Most have fragrant, tubular flowers attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Honeysuckle vines climb by twisting stems or aerial rootlets. Pruning helps restrict size and control unwanted spread.
So, Is Growing Vines in Wet Soil Around a Fountain Possible?
With the right vine selections and drainage improvements, you can certainly grow vines and other plants in damp soil surrounding an outdoor fountain. Choosing moisture-tolerant plants, adding organic materials to improve drainage, and using raised beds or containers will make this possible. Maintain plants by pruning aggressive growers and clearing clogged fountain drains. With patience, you can create attractive, lush plantings around water features.
FAQs About Growing Vines Around Fountains
How Often Should I Water Vines Around a Fountain?
Plants around fountains usually do not need extra watering since moisture comes from fountain spray and overflow. Reduce watering to once a week or less for vines in raised beds further from direct overspray. Check soil moisture before watering.
What Kind of Fertilizer Is Best?
Use a balanced organic fertilizer or a slow-release product formulated for vines and flowering plants. Apply in spring as plants emerge and again in midsummer according to label directions. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause excessive, weak growth.
Should I Prune My Vines Each Year?
Plan to prune most vines each spring to remove dead stems, shape plants, and encourage new growth. For vigorous growers like trumpet vine and English ivy, prune anytime to restrict size and prevent spread into unwanted areas. Always prune immediately after flowering for species like hydrangeas that bloom on old wood.
How Do I Prevent Fountain Clogs?
Keep thick vines from growing over fountain basins or drainage openings. Clear leaves and debris from drains and skimmers regularly to prevent clogging that can block water circulation. Use splash guards to help redirect fountain spray back into the basin.
