Which flowers can withstand standing water then a drought
My flower bed at my front yard use to serve as a rock bed with one cactus, but I removed all the rocks and cactus and added topsoil and a variety of colorful flowers. However, when it rains the bed holds water and when the water evaporates the grounds gets extremely dry. I don't like to water every day because of the weather reports of percentages of rain. then, the flowers may get too dry.
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It is the soil you use.top soil will not retain moisture.
Check with your local county extension agency. They will be able to tell you what plants will grow in your area. Also try here https://www.wildflower.org/
Sounds like you have clay soil. You need to add compost. Dig up the soil and add compost to it for about a foot deep. Mix the compost and soil about half and half to have it drain and hold moisture. rather than watering shallowly, deep soak weekly or biweekly to have the roots grow deep.