RAIN GARDENS
WHY? Development means increased impervious surfaces, like roads, driveways & rooftops, replacing farm fields & open space where water could naturally soak in and recharge the aquifer. Today storm water runoff increases flooding, carries pollution such as fertilizers, pesticides & oil spills into our lakes, and overwhelms sewage treatment plants.
Rain gardens reduce flooding, reduce pollution & reduce treatment plant overload.
Rain gardens help rain water soak into the ground where the soil naturally reduces pollutants & recharges our aquifers.
WHERE? Anyplace where water runs off or collects, such as downhill from the downspout or driveway.
HOW? Dig a shallow basin. Work 1-2" of compost into the dirt in the basin. Plant rain garden plants. Mulch with woodchips or other weed free organic material. Water the 1st summer if it does not rain for a week. Do not fertilize.
Rain garden plants are tough. They can take periods of flooding & drought. And a bonus - they attract birds & butterflies to your yard.
Heritage Flower Farm's PLANTS FOR RAIN GARDENS
SHRUBS
Cephalanthus occidentalis Button bush, Honey balls
Cornus sericia Redtwig dogwood
PERENNIALS FOR SUN
Agastache foeniculum Anise hyssop
Amsonia tabernaemontana Willow bluestar
Anemone canadensis Anemone
Aquilegia canadensis Columbine
Aster azureus Sky blue aster
Aster novae angliae New England Aster
Boltonia asteroides False starwort
Caltha palustris Marsh marigold
Cassia marilandica Wild senna
Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf tickseed
Echinacea pallida Pale purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower
Eryngium yuccifolium Rattlesnake master
Eupatorium coelestinum Blue mist
Eupatorium perfoliatum Boneset, Thoroughwort
Eupatorium purpureum Sweet Joe Pye weed
Filipendula rubra Queen of the prairie
Filipendula ulmaria Queen of the Meadow
Geranium maculatum Wild geranium
Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed
Helianthus occidentalis
Heliopsis helianthoides False sunflower
Hibiscus moscheutos Rose mallow
Iris ensata Japanese iris
Iris pseudacorus Yellow flag
Iris siberica Siberian Iris
Iris versicolor Blue flag
Liatris aspera Rough blazing star
Liatris spicata Gayfeather
Lobelia siphilitica Great lobelia
Lupinus perennis Old maid's bonnet, wild pea
Monarda fistulosa Wild bergamont
Parthenium integrifolium Wild Quinine
Penstemon digitalis Foxglove beardtongue
Phlox pilosa Downy phlox
Pycanthemum virginianum Mountain mint
Ratibita pinnata Yellow coneflower
Rudbeckia subtomentosa Sweet coneflower
Rudbeckia triloba Brown eyed susan
Ruellia humilis Prairie petuna
Silphium perfoliatum Cup plant
Solidago gramnifolia Grass-leaved goldenrod
Solidago riddellii Stiff goldenrod
Solidago speciosa Showy goldenrod
Tradescantia virginiana Spiderwort
Vernonia fasciculata Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis New York ironweed
Veronicastrum virginianum Culver's root
Zizia aurea Golden alexanders
PERENNIALS FOR SHADE or PART SHADE
Anemone canadensis Meadow anemone
Aquilegia canadensis Canada Columbine
Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit
Aruncus dioicus Goat's beard
Asarum canadense Wild ginger
Chelone obliqua Rose turtlehead
Cimicifuga racemosa Black Cohosh or Bugbane
Geranium maculatum Wild geranium
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal flower
Lobelia siphilitica Great lobelia
Mertensia virginica Virginia bluebells
Phlox pilosa Downy phlox
Polygonatum biflorum Solomon's seal
Ratibida pinnata Yellow coneflower
Thalictrum aquilegifolium Meadowrue
Thalictrum dioicum Early meadowrue
Thalicrum flavum Yellow meadrowrue
Thalictrum minus ‘Adiantifolium' Fern leaf meadowrue
Tradescantia virginiana Spiderwort
GRASSES AND CARICES
Carex grayi Gray's sedge
Carex bebbii Bebb's Sedge
Carex comosa Bottlebrush sedge
Carex plantaginea Seersucker sedge
Carex rosea Curley-styled wood sedge
Carex stricta Tussock sedge
Chasmanthium latifolium Northern sea oats
Elymus arenarius Sea lyme grass
Koeleria cristata June grass
Panicum virgatum Switch grass
Schizochyrium scoparium Little bluestem
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass
Sporobolos heterolepsis Prairie dropseed