The Rain Garden Landscape Courtesy Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. Courtesy Low Impact Development Center, Inc..
Planting Your Rain Garden
ASTRA Communications The Rain Garden Landscape
The Rain Garden Landscape
Like Other Gardens Rain garden plant choices are determined by: Personal aesthetic Landscape setting Site conditions Maintenance
What makes Rain Gardens Unique? The primary need when choosing plants is to support the rain garden s function. A well-designed rain garden is both functional AND beautiful!
planting for Rain Garden Function Choose plants that can take the water (or lack or it) Remember the forest model Think pollution prevention Control erosion Plant for wildlife
Are rain gardens wet? The Rain Garden Environment
The Rain Garden Environment Extreme environment, similar to a floodplain or a seasonal wetland. Choose deeprooted plants that can tolerate a wide range of moisture conditions.
Rain Garden Zones Edge Emergent Semi-aquatic
The Rain Garden Environment Moisture regime depends upon site conditions
The Rain Garden Environment
Test Your Rain Garden Does it Work? Courtesy Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
The Forest Model Rain gardens are designed to imitate forest functions. A Citizen s Guide to Phytoremediation, US EPA, 2001 Stream Corridor Restoration, FISRWG, 1998
Pollutants in the Rain Garden Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) Heavy Metals (Copper) Salt, Deicers, Sand Car fluids (Gasoline, Antifreeze, Oil, etc.) Pesticides & Herbicides
What is a Native plant? A native plant is a plant that lives or grows naturally in a particular region without direct or indirect human intervention.
Benefits of Native Plants Adapted to local conditions, including soils & precipitation Don t require inputs of chemical fertilizers & pesticides Save time and money Provide the habitat wildlife, including pollinators, need Beautiful! Courtesy of Chris Bright, Earth Sangha http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/toc.htm
Natives Provide Habitat Food (Year-round) Water Shelter Places to Raise Young
Avoid Invasive Plants An invasive non-native plant is a species intentionally or accidentally introduced by human activity into a region in which it did not evolve and which aggressively competes with, and displaces, locally adapted native plant communities. Displace native species Reduce wildlife habitat Alter ecosystem processes Maintenance nightmare! Courtesy NPS http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/invspinfo.shtml http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/toc.htm
Inlet, Outlets & Berms
Inlet, Outlets & Berms Deep roots are key!
When Selecting Plants Choose plants wisely based on moisture conditions at your site. It s tough for rain garden plants! TEST your rain garden before the plants go in. Consider pollution inputs and mimic forest structure by including shrubs, perennials and grasses. Despite the forest model, be thoughtful about tree planting. Choose plants with deep roots that control erosion or reinforce entry and exit points. Plan for year-round habitat and aesthetics.
Design Create a garden room - develop clear garden edges and use the edges of your landscape Settle on a theme or plant community woodland garden, meadow, cottage garden Create dimension and interest. Vary height, bloom time and color, texture, overall shape Consider scale size matters! Plant densely, but plan for mature plant size
Design Plant in clumps of 3 7 plants of the same species to create bold color, repeat to create cohesion and pattern. Rule of 3 each plant should have at least 3 features you enjoy Stones, fences, benches and art can all be included in your rain garden http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.or g/raingarden_design/templates.htm
Seeds, Plugs or Pots? Seeds and Plugs Better for naturalistic gardens. Plant plugs @ 1/2 to 1 ft. on center Pots Better for traditional gardens. Plant 3 inch to 1 gal plants @ 1 to 3 ft. on center
10 Rain Garden Plants Black Chokeberry (also Red Chokeberry) Winterberry holly Virginia Sweetspire Elderberry Arrowwood viburnum
10 Rain Garden Plants Brown-eyed or Blackeyedsusan Switchgrass Obedient plant Joe Pye weed Ox-eye sunflower
Rain Garden Plant Lists Resources Rain Garden Design and Construction (booklet) Plants for Bioretention - Ann English (LIDC, Inc.) 10 Rain Garden Plants Additional Web Resources VDOF Rain Garden Guide - http://www.dof.virginia.gov/rft/rain-gardens.shtml Resources for Watershed-Friendly Gardeners (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/resident_resources.pdf) Invasive Pocket Guide: www.nature.org/maryland/invasives MD Rainscapes: http://209.142.214.237/rainscapes/ garden.htm
Local Rain Gardens Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale Providence Supervisor s Office, Fairfax National Wildlife Federation, Reston Green Springs Garden, Alexandria Alexandria Central Library, Alexandria Audrey Moore RECenter/Wakefield Park, Annandale
Contact Information Christin Jolicoeur Watershed Planner 703-228-3588 Cjolicoeur@arlingtonva.us