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Cheryl Caldwell, William Raveis Real EstatePhone: (978) 609-1041
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Rain gardens: Design ideas & more

by Cheryl Caldwell 09/30/2024

When it comes to rain gardens, design matters for more than just aesthetics. Rain gardens are meant to serve an important purpose in capturing rainwater runoff, and both the plants and structure of the garden determine its effectiveness.

To help you learn more about rain gardens, here are some key benefits and design elements to know:

Why are rain gardens important?

Rainwater runoff can be a huge problem in both urban and suburban areas without much natural vegetation. In areas prone to storms, rainwater collects in the streets, overflowing sewer drains and causing floods. A rain garden helps mitigate this issue by imitating the way the natural landscape handles excess water.

By directing heavy rain to a rain garden, you can slow the flow and reduce the chance of stormwater runoff overwhelming the storm sewer system.

How do rain gardens work?

The basic rain garden design is a shallow basin. Water naturally pools at the lowest point, where it gradually absorbs into the soil to nourish the plants. Unlike a bog or a garden pond, a well-designed rain garden dries in a few days. This means you won’t have to worry about standing water attracting mosquitos or other pests.

What are the best rain garden plants?

It’s a good idea to include a range of different plants when designing rain gardens. Diversity of shapes, sizes and root systems will better mimic the natural landscape and provide better drainage.

Some of the most popular plant choices include switchgrass, blue cardinal flower and marsh marigold. When in doubt, it’s always worth choosing native plants for your rain garden design that will thrive in your climate and support the local ecosystem.

About the Author
Author

Cheryl Caldwell

Cheryl Caldwell has been a licensed Realtor in the Greater Newburyport area since 2006 and has been a consistent multi-million dollar producer. Her prior 15-year experience as a commercial and residential real estate paralegal in Boston and then Newburyport has proven a valuable asset as she assists her clients, both buyers, and sellers, in navigating through the paths to buying or selling real estate. She prides herself on her hands-on approach to each and every client, property, and challenge that comes her way. Working extensively with builders and developers on new construction as well as renovated homes has provided her with a skill set that benefits her clients every day.