Another eco-trend in gardening is placing plants that like continual moisture and absorb rain water. This helps keep run-off after rains from flooding, and washing pollutants into water systems.

They are actually very simple to create. During rains, water runs off this porch and soaks the surrounding ground. As well, there are a few spigots coming in from the laundry room creating constant moisture. Check with your local nursery for plants that like constant moisture. Here we planted iris, sedge grass, ferns, bugbane, brunnera, cardinal flowers, and a red-twigged dogwood. Many of these are native plants, and later in the summer the cardinal flowers and bugbane will bloom and be really beautiful and attract butterflies and birds. The hydrangea were existing, but seem immensely happy here.

Rain Garden in May

Rain Garden in June