We have a damp area at the corner of our section, previously unplanted but now in lawn which is soggy to walk on. I'd like to plant a winter garden of shrubs with colour. Should the area be raised up or drained somehow first? It's about three metres square. 

• The drainage definitely needs improving if you want to be able to walk on the area.
• There are some New Zealand native trees that can be planted in boggy areas of the garden such as flax, Cabbage tree, Nikau palms, Puriri tree, and Ribbonwood.
• If wanting to keep it as a lawn, consider raising up the area using sleepers or macrocarpa edging to improve drainage.
• Install drainage, Novaflo piping is an effective way of channelling water away from the lawn.