What plants are suitable for a retention basin?
Thanks
Answer
Dear David: This is an interesting question as the basin is probably in full sun and can be wet upon occasion. I have several suggestions and you will have to put in the plants that fit the site the best. I would put the taller plants further down the embankment and the shorter ones up. If you google the names, you can see pictures and read the descriptions.
Hibiscus moscheutos gorgeous blooms in the summer. It gets 4' tall and tolerates dampness
Eupatorium maculatus--Joe Pye Weed. This is 6-7' tall and tolerates dampness. Interesting flower head
Aruncus diocus--more shade tolerant than the above. Plummy white flower. With flower gets to be 4' tall.
Foliage is lower, about 18" Tolerates moist soil.
Lobelia siphilitica and cardinalis--blue or red flower spike 3' tall. Narrow plant. L. siphilitica will reseed in a good way in the basin. Both tolerate dampness.
Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan. 2' tall. Will reseed around nicely
Any aster. Fall bloom. 3' tall
Grasses: Some grasses reseed around which may be okay for you, some grasses spread by runners, which also
maybe okay too. Read carefully the label for the plant and decide if that particular grass is appropriate. Some
are quite tall, some are low and should be placed accordingly. Two pretty ones are:
Pennisetum spp.which may reseed around
Panicum virgatum -- spreads by runners.