CalPolygardener said: It would drain better if it was filled with the same soil as what's around it. You have created a perched water table. Water won't go into the rock/gravel until the soil above is saturated and won't go into whatever is below until the rock/gravel is saturated. Talk about poor drainage!
fiddler said: People spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to create a specialized bog garden; you already have one! Take advantage of it.
I am so jealous that you have this. I can't believe you're trying to get rid of it.
Danita said: Since you have a child, my first suggestion would be a bug-eating plant. This one is rated hardy in your zone,
Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) I had to damage the links in order to post since I'm still a new member.
They do require some special care, though.
[url=ttps://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/articles/carnivorous-pitcher-plant-nursery-sarracenia]ttps://www.plantdelights.com/b...[/url]
When the child is older & knows not to eat random plants, you might try Lobelia cardinalis. It's beautiful and attracts the hummingbirds. (Lobelia does contain toxins so it's probably wise to wait to plant this one.)
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Uploaded by molanic
Do you have a height limit you'd prefer for the plants?