What plants would work to cover the drainage spot from my sump pump?

Tam31577981
by Tam31577981
The water is creating a mud pond in the backyard and it constantly drains. I’ve researched some ideas to use plants but I don’t know where to start. It’s an obvious eye sore but I know with ingenuity and creativity it can be pretty. I do not have a green thumb at all but I’m willing to learn.
  8 answers
  • Justwishing Justwishing on Nov 28, 2017

    If you have any sort of water treatment system, like a water softener or such, that drains into your sump pump most plants won't survive. That is because of the salt content in the water treatment system that you may be using. We had this same issue with ours and the only thing that would survive was Fescue Grass. There are some places where it is considered an invasive species but it is also a hardy grass that will survive about anything except a repeated chemical spraying in the fields of farmers. You could also try to attach another solid PVC pipe to the end of where it currently drains, dig a shallow trench to an existing ditch and let it drain there. Just make sure if you do this that the trench has at least a little bit of a down flow to it so the water will empty from the pipe and not just lay in the pipe and mildew. It would be out of your yard and most of the time having a ditch that is wet doesn't really matter to most people.

  • Mary Coakley Mary Coakley on Nov 28, 2017

    I can only recommend one plant Thrift it grows near water and is hardy lovely round pink/lavender colour

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 28, 2017

    what is your location so suggested plant names can be given

  • Kim Kim on Nov 28, 2017

    Contact your local Agricultural Extension office for the best advice. Plants differ by areas and what is good for me may not be good for your area.

    I would create an oasis for birds at that spot. Something tall to land on, a bird bath or fountain, & some low maintenance plants that go to seed regularly. The birds will be nice to look at and help with bug issues that arise from standing water.


    😊

  • Barbara Baldwin Barbara Baldwin on Nov 28, 2017

    Kim, I was going to say that...I had an area that turned into a very shallow pond every year and dried up in the summer, so...I I put a hose in it and let enough water run to keep it all year. Newts and frogs showed up from I don't know where. My bf made a little dock for it...in those days water was plentiful..

  • Shari Fryrear Shari Fryrear on Nov 28, 2017

    Elephant Ears like lots of water. You could try those.

  • 27524803 27524803 on Nov 28, 2017

    What about surrounding the area with large-ish rocks... and creating a water garden with plants that normally like to have their bases and roots wet ... like papyrus, and horse tail.. check with a local nursery that specializes in ponds and they should have some recommendations for you.