Half acre full sun drainage area (flowers, iris, butterflies, trees)

[caco54]

New development in a +55 community. Behind the houses is what we called in NY a sump for rain water. We have seen heavy rain fall and we may get one inch of water in the sump but it is gone in hours. Right now it is just weeds but the thought is we should plant a ground cover that could take the full sun and look better. Any thoughts on what would work here in PA?

[SnazzyB]

Would flowers work? I'm thinking Japanese Iris maybe?

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Are you guys in luck. You have a natural rain garden.

Here's list of plants that would do well.

https://extension.psu.edu/rain-gardens-the-plants

A mixture of shrubs and perennials would be gorgeous.

[Zoisite]

I second the above ^ suggestion for a rain garden, that's a great idea.

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[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by Zoisite

I second the above ^ suggestion for a rain garden, that's a great idea.

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County Extension websites have lists of plants that do well in rain gardens in that zone.

We put in a rain garden at our last home. It was a lot of work to get it set up, but after that it was an easy garden. Here the work's already been done. Once the trees, shrubs, and plants are established, absolutely no need to water.

Was just looking at the list.

Red Maple would be gorgeous https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeg...cfm?itemID=867

Mistflower would work. Butterflies would love it. Eupatorium coelestinum Mistflower, hardy ageratum from New Moon Nurseries

County Extension might even help. They support rain garden demonstration in some places.

[Cambium]

Would anything survive the sump? Sounds like it would get flooded with heavy rains. I guess something with good roots might be the way to go but then be careful because you may lose that natural drainage because soil may become root bound