Suckering stems of one paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) extend into ground saturated by weeks of rain. Following a recent inch and a quarter, and a couple inches more last night, leaves on the lower end of the shrub wilted. Though these have perked up, there are yellowing and a few dropping leaves. Most of the paperbush sits above the flood, and shows no sign of trouble, and I suspect that yellowing leaves will be the worst of it even for sections that are rooted into the wet soil.

Several other paperbushes are on higher, well drained ground, so the constant rainfall is a benefit after several weeks when many shrubs were showing the strain of high temperatures. When I planted paperbushes I was well aware that the shrubs required good drainage, but they keep spreading, both stems from the main body, but also stems that touch ground, root and spread. It’s not too big a deal to chop it back if the spreading goes too far, but so far it’s not a problem except for the parts that are suffering in the damp soil.

A tree peony planted early in spring has wilted, despite improvements that were made to better drain this regularly damp area. Unfortunately, I was traveling at the time the trouble started, returning after the point that the peony could be rescued. There remains a shred of hope that it could revive, but not with a good enough chance that it is worth digging and moving the peony.

To where is the question, and one that will complicate planting another. While this loss is only due to the constant dampness, in any typical year this spot would be ideal, I think. But, I”m unwilling to toss money around so carelessly.

Nutgrass is flourishing in the low section of the garden, as always, but somewhat worse with constant dampness. So, I must be vigilant to prevent it from tangling with vigorous clumps of coneflower and milkweed. The small rear lawn area is predominantly nutgrass, which is at least greener than other higher and drier, neglected parts of lawn.