To summarize: and thank you everyone! This year i'm going to try a mix of all these. Light weight Pine cones Pop cans recyclables, crushed or not, including empty coffee cans, plastic containers, solo cups, etc. (not for food growing) Upside down pots PEAT pots Styrofoam – put in pantyhose to contain Colanders upside down Floral foam bricks Pool noodles - cut up Mulch Charcoal – without chemical treatment Straw (might soak up nutrients away from plants) Paper rolls – TP or paper towel (breaks down fairly quickly) Old golf balls (other balls?) Heavy Rocks Broken ceramic pots or ceramic pieces Plywood rounds cut to size Branches, pieces of wood tips: - Good idea to place landscape fabric between some of these non organic fillers before soil on top - If you are growing food, stick to organic matter

i would not put cattails in there --- there are lovely native plant mixes of tall grasses and wildflowers made specifically for detention areas. a detention area when planted properly makes a beautiful wildflower garden. and the native plants are an asset to stormwater control and water quality. their extensive root system helps dry out the bottom. do an internet search on "rain garden" there is tons of information out there.

Nothing beats going through the garden! I especially like the purple flower standing tall above others in the last picture of your post. I wonder what it is? Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience! Nancy

Bob - The Trimmer seedling was accidentally sent to me as a bonus. The pots had gotten mixed in with his Charleston Charm. It must be a sibling to his intro Santa Clara, which is Orange Blossom Trail X Mexican Elvis. It has a very large bloom - 7 inches - when its not recurving. It only recurves when temps are extremely hot. The bud count is good, and it reblooms well. I imagine this one did not get introduced because the pencil edge does not go completely around the bloom. Also, it is a reluctant pod setter. I haven't tried its pollen on anything yet. If you want a piece of it next Spring, I could sent you some. It is an evergreen.