In Fall 2021, we decided to start creating information sheets to help guide those interested in purchasing and planting our native plants. Thus far, we have one information sheet completed by our amazing student intern Maddy Burnett: rain gardens! Check back in on this page later, as there are more to come.

 

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a depressed area of land planted with species that encourage water absorption. They act as a filtration system that can be incorporated into urban systems and runoff sites. Rain gardens have many uses. They prevent contaminated, fast moving water from directly entering larger streams and other water bodies. Plants, often perennials, can be planted in these spaces to soak up excess water and slow runoff rates to reduce flooding. Plants in rain gardens can also uptake pollutants and excess minerals, including heavy metals. Rain gardens can also filter excess sediment that gather in urban streams due to high levels of surrounding impervious surfaces, making these ecosystems cleaner and healthier.

To learn more about rain gardens, their benefits, how to start one of your own, what native species are ideal to use in them, and more, view our short rain garden guide or our longer guide.