What is a Rain Garden?

Rain gardens are shallow depressions, filled with native plants that are designed to collect rain water from impervious surfaces such as roofs and driveways. Water quickly percolates into the soil, typically within 24 hours, because of the extensive and deep root systems of the native plants in the garden. Rain garden soil moistures can vary widely from soaked or submerged during wet periods to very dry in the summer or in drought conditions. These native floodplain species have adapted to these conditions over thousands of years and once established perform superbly in rain gardens. There are several environmental, economic, and social advantages to rain gardens:

• They filter pollutants, thus cleaning the water before it is discharged into the ground

• They reduce the volume of water entering storm sewers, thus reducing flooding

• They reduce the first flush of water and pollutants into rivers and streams which are harmful to aquatic life

• They reduce the need for costly municipal improvements in stormwater treatment structures

• They provide habitat for wildlife, particularly insects, butterflies, dragonflies which feed on mosquito larvae, and birds that feed on and are attracted to native plants

• They are beautiful, providing season-long color and winter interest

• They require no extra water, fertilizer, or insecticides after they are established, thus reducing mowing, maintenance time, and chemicals