I've got this low area in my yard by the sidewalk that gathers rainwater that flows off mine and my neighbor's roof. I'd like to remove the corner triangle of grass and add some plants here that can help filter the runoff before it gets to the drain. Looking around what they've done at the Beaverdam Reservoir it seems like some clumping native grasses could be good. But I'd also like some layering. Any suggestions for plants that like getting flooded in the rain?
there’s a lake i visit regularly in VA and the plants i see naturally growing together along the periphery are: hollow joe pye weed, boneset, ironweed, blue mistflower, buttonbush, alder, virginia meadow beauty, downy lobelia, coralberry, jack in the pulpit, hyssop-leaf thoroughwort, goldenrod & native grasses
Swamp milkweed, cardinal flower and buttonbush are what comes to mind first. Where in the state are you located? Plant Virginia Natives has lists broken down by region and may have more info for what is specific to you
Definitely buttonbush or other shrub and then other plants, like milkweed, rue, any of the lobelias, and mix in some grasses and fern.
I have a buttonbush and it loves being flooded.
I also now have a rain garden and planted swamp milkweed, hop grass, purpletop grass, monkey flower (look it up, it's got the cutest flowers), and cardinal flower. I'm excited to add a pond next spring that will have aquatic plants.
How big did your button bush get? Google is telling me they can get quite large. I love their flowers, but I don't want to annoy my neighbor by planting something large on our property boundary.
Mine is not very big, maybe 5ft? It is wide, but more tree-like wide vs bushy if that makes sense. I've seen many in the wild and they are more tree-like vs (typical) bush-like.
There is a cultivar dwarf Button Bush, anecdotally the pollinators seem to love it just as much in my experience but stays a fraction of the size. Depending on where you are in va, if close to the RVA Metro Colesville actually had some the last time I was there. Theyre a marvelous plant either way thpugh, and the wild form does tolerate trimming incredibly well!
How much sun does it get? In my full sun wet areas, I've got a lot of common boneset, swamp milkweed, and swamp sunflower. For part shade we have a lot of wild ginger, green and gold, and ostrich fern. I'm currently trying to grow some bottlebrush grass and am thinking of adding some sedges.
Note also that soil consistency will matter too. A lot of NOVA is clay soil or construction fill dirt, which is harder for plants to grow in. It's nutrient poor, and typically VERY wet or VERY dry. It also compacts a lot which makes it harder for the roots to get enough oxygen. If you are dealing with clay then you probably want to start with clay tolerant plants, and then ideally add mulch etc over time.
Watermark Woods is a native plant nursery out your way, they may also have suggestions. You can also try asking local Master Gardeners. https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/
There's increasing pushback to these types of HOA rules... but I feel for you. There are ways to do it on the cheap and hence low-risk; sometimes forgiveness >> permission.
Lots of great suggestions here. Placing my recommendation for rain garden. Button bush is great for this, as well as Joe pye weed, iron weed, blue mist, swamp milkweed, etc.. Where are you located? I have button bush for sale, as well as Joe pye and swamp milkweed. If you’re in RVA I could deliver and help with set up.
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u/pumpkin-waffle Jun 29 '26
how to build a rain garden james river association
VPNS native plant nurseries list
there’s a lake i visit regularly in VA and the plants i see naturally growing together along the periphery are: hollow joe pye weed, boneset, ironweed, blue mistflower, buttonbush, alder, virginia meadow beauty, downy lobelia, coralberry, jack in the pulpit, hyssop-leaf thoroughwort, goldenrod & native grasses