Question:

What perennial would you suggest planting in a flower bed that is quite wet and shady? I have tried roses and rhododenron, but neither of them have survived. I would like something rather tall.

—v hayek

Answer:

Hi v,

Best for wet and shady areas?  Two things come to mind.  First, the tallest goatsbeard is fast growing, extremely hardy and can grow up to four feet tall and wide.  Second is the variegated dogwood or ivory halo dogwood.  Dogwoods have a very fiberous root system and can handle wet ground quite well.