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Unless it only rains once in a blue moon where you live, you’re going to want water-loving plants in your garden bed or pot. A few ideas for plants that aren’t super fast-growing (meaning they’re good in pots or near foundations) and can handle a lot of standing water include: 

• Acorus (Sweet flag)

• Colocasia esculenta (Taro or elephant ear): In many climates, these are annuals, making them less desirable because you need to adjust the chain again after each replant.

• Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf horsetail rush): non-dwarf varieties of horsetail are fast growers and can take over quickly.

• Juncus effusus (Curly rush)

• Osmunda regalis (Royal fern): Royal fern can grow quickly but can also handle being crowded, making them good container plants.

Moss attaches to the ground but doesn’t have roots, so it can take four to six weeks for establishment to begin. It takes between 12 and 18 months for full coverage, and maximum thickness takes about two years. Keep your moss moist and debris-free to ensure it establishes itself well.

Plant privet hedges at least 1 foot apart in a trench about 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. It’s important to space privet hedges relatively far apart due to how quickly they grow to significant sizes and heights. You don’t want to crowd privet plants, or they could overcrowd each other, causing unwanted damage.

There are two main times of year to apply mulch: mid to late spring and late fall. Spreading mulch in mid to late spring helps protect new seedlings as the soil warms up. It's best to wait until temperatures are steady, as mulching too early in the spring can slow down the soil's warming process and hinder plant growth. Fall mulching is also beneficial, as it insulates the soil and helps regulate its temperature when the first frosts arrive.