Rain Garden
Rain gardens are gaining in popularity in the BC Lower Mainland area as they are both aesthetically pleasing and functional; providing a solution for managing rainwater runoff.
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Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus) -
Narrow-leaved Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) -
Oval-leaved Bilberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) -
Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) -
Pacific Water Parsnip (Sium suave) -
Pacific Willow (Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra) -
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) -
Red Columbine (Aquilegia Formosa) -
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens) -
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) -
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) -
Rocky Mountain Iris (Iris missouriensis) -
Rose Meadowsweet (Spiraea splendens) -
Salal (Gaultheria shallon) -
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) -
Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) -
Scouler's Willow (Salix scouleriana) -
Sedges (Carex spp.) -
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium herbstfreude) -
Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) -
Sitka Willow (Salix sitchensis) -
Slough sedge (Carex obnupta) -
Small-flowered Bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus) -
Soft Rush (Juncus effusus)
Design & Practical Tips for a
BC Climate Rain Garden:
xxx: Choose species from dry sites (rocky slopes, open meadows, Garry oak ecosystems) rather than forest plants.
Plant in groups: 3–7 plants of the same species make a stronger visual impact and are easier for pollinators to find.
Mulch lightly with gravel or coarse bark at the start to reduce weeds and help establishment.
Start small and tough: Grasses, yarrow, blanketflower, kinnikinnick, and coastal strawberry make an excellent core mix.