Chicago Area Rain Gardens?
Has anyone planted a rain garden and if so, what plants have you used successfully? I have a low spot in my yard that holds water in the spring with the snow melt and after heavy rain - like now!!! - but will dry out in the summer. Obviously I can water in dry weather for plants that need moisture but there's no way to drain the area so need plants that prefer, or at least don't mind having wet feet at times.
Ideally there would be taller shrubs or small trees in the back and coming forward to tall perennials then smaller ones. Color preference is white, pink, blue since that's the basis of 90% of my gardens but I don't know if that's going to be possible here. I have astilbe in a few locations and know they like moisture but can they tolerate the wet feet?
I'd appreciate any plant suggestions for this wet, typical Chicago clay soil part of my yard.