rain garden trees

Rain garden shrubs/trees Download PDF list

Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

What are the best plants for a rain garden?

Plant a Rain Garden

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium)
Sedges (Carex)
Bluestar (Amsonia)
Turtlehead (Chelone)

Can you plant trees in a rain garden?

Most of the vegetation planted in rain gardens consists of shrubs and herbaceous plants, but you can also install trees in a rain garden if you wish. However, you must pick species that can adapt to the conditions present in or near the rain garden if you want to give the trees the best chance of thriving.

How do you build a rain garden?

Create the rain garden by building a berm in a low spot in the yard, then build swales to channel runoff from the gutters and higher parts of the yard. The water is then absorbed into the soil through the network of deep plant roots. Use a mix of plants adapted to your area and to the different water depths.

Do rain gardens really work?

Rain gardens are effective in removing up to 90% of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from the rainwater runoff. Compared to a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the ground. ... Because rain gardens will drain within 12-48 hours, they prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

Do rain gardens attract mosquitoes?

Rain can be a valuable resource when managed properly. If not managed properly, storm water runoff can threaten homes, neighborhoods and even people's lives. Rain gardens do not attract mosquitoes as the water is typically absorbed within 48 hours which is not long enough for mosquitoes to breed. ...

When should you plant a rain garden?

Although a rain garden can be installed anytime the ground is not frozen, spring and fall are the best times to start your garden. In spring, the soil is easier to dig and the rainy weather means less initial watering.

What characteristics are necessary for a plant to thrive in a rain garden?

Criteria for Selecting Rain Garden Species

Plants that need full sun need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun during the growing season; plants that require shade cannot tolerate more that 3 hours of direct sun. The hours and angle of sunlight change with the seasons, too.

What is the purpose of a rain garden?

A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground. Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff from your property.

Can you plant a garden next to your house?

Be sure not to put the garden too close to your house, which will cast shadows; keep planting areas at least 10 feet away from the walls. Vegetables planted in the shade are less productive and may be more susceptible to disease and insect damage than planted in full sun.

How deep should a rain garden be?

A typical rain garden is between four and eight inches deep. A rain garden more than eight inches deep might pond water too long, look like a hole in the ground, and present a tripping hazard for somebody stepping into it.

How do you size a rain garden?

Go out to the area designated for the rain garden. Identify the section of roof that will drain into the downspout. Measure the length and width of this area. Take measurements of other hard surfaces such as driveways, parking areas, or sidewalks that may drain into the rain garden.

Where should I put my rain garden?

The rain garden should be located in a place that can collect as much impervious area (driveway, roof, sidewalks) runoff as possible. The best areas are generally where water naturally drains but doesn't hold water. It should also be located at least 5'-15' away from your home.

Is it good to plant before it rains?

Plant Seeds Before It Rains

Dry soil is easier to work with than wet soil and seeds are less likely to rot in soil that doesn't stay soggy for prolonged periods. Add in a nice rain shower, and you won't need to drag out the garden hose to water your newly planted seeds.

How much does it cost to put in a rain garden?

Professional installation typically costs about $10-$20 a square foot, or $1,500-$3,000 or more for 150 square feet, depending on the complexity of the design, the amount and variety of the landscaping, and how the water is directed into the rain garden.

What soaks up water in yard?

In order to make your lawn more amenable to water absorption, work organic matter into your soil. Garden compost, leaf mold and manure will all open the soil up and create more minute channels through which water can escape. Dig. For hardpan problems, a shovel may be the best solution.

How does water get to the plants in the rain garden?

A Rain Garden receives water from impervious (hard) surfaces such as rooftops, sidewalks, driveways and patios. The shallow depression of the garden holds the water so it can slowly infiltrate back into the soil as the plants, mulch and soil naturally remove pollutants from the runoff.

What are the different layers of a rain garden?

The rain garden consists of a vegetated or stone ponding area, a mulch layer, a planting soil layer, a sand bed, and a gravel base. The multiple layers work together to filter pollutants from water, allowing it to infiltrate into the groundwater supply uncontaminated.

Do the rain gardens have standing water?

No. Because rain gardens are shallow and are only built on soils with sufficient drainage, they are designed to dry out before mosquitoes can reproduce. Will my rain garden have standing water? Rain gardens are designed to infiltrate water in about a day.

How do I make a rain garden without overwatering?

You can use pre-mixed rain garden soil, or you can use general gardening topsoil. Mix compost with your soil before adding it into your garden, as it will provide nutrients that may be lacking in the soil. Your soil's compost content should be around 20-30%. The clay content in your soil should be minimal.

Can you plant a garden when the soil is wet?

Wet, muddy soil sticks to garden tools and forms large clods that resist breaking up. Those clumps work against proper planting depth and good soil contact for vegetable seeds. In overly wet or compacted soil, the seeds rot before germinating -- even when properly placed. Low temperatures increase the risk.

What is a Bioretention system?

A bioretention system consists of a soil bed planted with suitable non-invasive (preferably native) vegetation. ... Vegetation in the soil planting bed provides uptake of pollutants and runoff and helps maintain the pores and associated infiltration rates of the soil in the bed.