You can have too much of a good thing in the garden and this also applies to water.

After prolonged rain some rose buds fail to open and the outer petals start to rot, creating a soggy mess (prune them off if it happens).
Waterlogged soil is the bain of badly drained soils – water displaces air and turns the soil sour. I can drown plant roots and invertebrates.

Water Excess

• It is no accident that many if not most plants require soil with good drainage or free draining compost. That is because roots can drown and rot.
• Do not stand pots in deep saucers or containers full of water or you may loose the plant.
• Even too much rain can cause tender alpines to rot. Some need a glass roof or semi-shelter to keep off the worst excesses of heavy rain.
• Flower-heads can fill with rain and droop or bring a plant too its knees. Shake out excess rain of possible.
• Do not water flower heads and blossom. It is the roots and not leaves and flowers you aim to water so direct your hose or watering can accordingly.
• Know where your prevailing wind will drop rain and where there is a rain-shadow for plants who like it dry.

Aids to Good Drainage

• On clay soils that tend to get water logged you can add grit and gravel. In extreme cases you can build a land drain or redirect the water into a stream.
• I like to build a mound higher than the surrounding area so water runs off. Use slopes and natural features to help.
• Sandy soil is usually free draining but do not put water retaining mulch too near the stems of susceptible plants or they may rot.
• Plenty of ‘crocks’ in the bottom of pots, stand on feet or Hortag and using clay pots rather than plastic helps with containers.
• Spike lawns to avoid puddles.