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Dry detention basin planted with native grasses and yellow wildflowers along a roadside greenway designed for stormwater management and pollinator habitat.
Canada Wildrye seed heads bunch
Monarch Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Big Bluestem in prairie
Cup Plant clump close up
Golden Alexander with yellow flowers blooming
Swamp Milkweed growing in native home garden in summer
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Dry detention basin planted with native grasses and yellow wildflowers along a roadside greenway designed for stormwater management and pollinator habitat.
Canada Wildrye seed heads bunch
Monarch Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Big Bluestem in prairie
Cup Plant clump close up
Golden Alexander with yellow flowers blooming
Swamp Milkweed growing in native home garden in summer

Dry Detention Basin

Seed Mixes

500 Sq. Ft. $22.00
1000 Sq. Ft. $40.00
1/4 Acre $150.00
1/2 Acre $300.00
3/4 Acre $450.00
1 Acre $600.00

Description

The Dry Detention Basin Seed Mix suits dry detention basins, stormwater basins, swales, and drainage areas. These sites may hold water after rainfall but dry out between storms. This native blend combines grasses, wildflowers, and sedges. Together, they handle changing moisture levels throughout the year.

The mix tolerates temporary flooding and dry periods. Deep-rooted native plants help stabilize soil and slow runoff. They also improve water infiltration and support stormwater management. In addition, colorful wildflowers provide food and habitat for pollinators.

Species such as Swamp Milkweed, Purple Coneflower, New England Aster, and Prairie Blazing Star add seasonal color. They also provide valuable pollinator habitat. As a result, this mix offers an attractive alternative to conventional turf grass.

This dry detention basin mix grows well in full sun. It also adapts to mesic and wet soils. Use it for municipal projects, commercial developments, and roadside stormwater features. It also works well in other areas with fluctuating water levels.

Once established, the planting creates durable, low-maintenance cover. It helps improve water quality and supports a wider range of wildlife. It also helps meet long-term stormwater management goals.

For areas that stay wet for longer periods, consider our Rain Garden Mix. If soil stabilization remains the main goal, check out our Erosion Control Mix.

Range Map

Seed Mix range map. This blend works best in zones 4 through 8.

Click image to open in new tab.

Composition

Dry Detention Basin Seed Mix Composition
Common Name (Latin Name) % by Weight
Virginia Wildrye (Elymus virginicus) 18.8
Canada Wildrye (Elymus canadensis) 16.5
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) 13.1
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) 10.4
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) 9.8
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 7.3
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) 6.5
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) 4.4
Sweet Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) 1.8
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) 1.8
Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) 1.6
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) 1.7
Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) 1.0
Fowl Bluegrass (Poa palustris) 0.9
Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) 0.9
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) 0.9
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) 0.7
Green Bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens) 0.4
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) 0.4
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) 0.3
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) 0.3
False Aster (Boltonia asteroides) 0.3
Short’s Sedge (Carex shortiana) 0.1
Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) 0.1
Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) 0.1
Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) 0.1
Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum) 0.0

Print (opens in new tab): 2024-2025 Dry Detention Basin Seed Mix

Details

Lbs/Acre12.23
PLS/Square Foot68
Best ForContractors, Pollinators
Mix ContainsForbs, Grasses, Sedges
Sun RequirementsFull Sun, Partial Sun
Soil MoistureMesic, Wet-Mesic, Wet
BenefitsBees, Birds, Hummingbirds, Insects, Pollinators
Max Height7-8'
USDA Zones4 - 8
Bloom ColorsBlue, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
Flowering PeriodFall, Late Spring, Summer
LifespanBiennial, Perennial

Seeds & Seed Mixes:

Seeds and seed mixes ship nationwide, year-round, typically within 3–5 business days. If you would like to postpone a seed mix shipment until fall, please note this at checkout.

Live Plants:

Live plants are available year-round while inventory lasts and ship to all states except California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. After your order is placed, we’ll contact you to coordinate a spring shipping window, as many plants are overwintered and ship once dormancy breaks.

Estimated shipping for 2026 plant orders begins in mid-April, weather permitting.

If you’re looking to secure plants in advance or need larger quantities for a project, we offer contract growing options. Contact us to discuss your needs and request a quote. Additional species not listed online may also be available through contract grow.

Live Stakes:

Live stakes are available by request only and must be ordered by submitting a contact form. Ordering is open seasonally from November 1 through February 28. A minimum of 100 stakes per order is required, with at least 25 stakes per species.

Live stakes ship only to the following states: Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.

PLS stands for Pure Live Seed, an industry-standard measure of seed quality. It reflects the portion of seed in a batch that is viable and capable of germinating.

What this means for you: when you purchase 1 lb. of PLS seed, the physical weight of the seed you receive will be slightly more than 1 lb. That’s because we account for non-viable seed and natural inert material upfront, so you receive a full pound of live, plantable seed.

Many companies sell bulk seed by total weight, which can include filler and non-viable seed. By pricing based on PLS, we make sure you’re getting exactly what you paid for—high-quality native seed with more predictable, successful germination.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our in-depth article on what PLS is and why it matters.