Rain Gardens

Generally speaking, a rain garden is simply a slightly depressed garden located where it can catch the water from your downspout, driveway or yard.  They are planted with native plants and can be installed almost anywhere, next to homes, businesses or parking lots.

Benefits of rain gardens

• Helps restore the natural water flow to reduce flooding

• Acts like a water filter to trap pollutants so they don't pollute local waters

• Attracts butterflies and birds

Installation and Maintenance

Like any new garden, rain gardens take some work to install and maintain the first year, but after that they are very low maintenance. Since the native plants are adapted to local climates, the plants are hearty.

Learn the details through a step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to designing and installing from the UW Extension.

Get inspired using rain garden designs and layouts for a variety of colors and styles.

Pick the perfect plants for your space and style with this Department of Natural Resources interactive plants list.

 

Learn more about what you can do in your home, lawn or community.