A rain garden is a garden which takes advantage of rainfall and stormwater runoff in its design and plant selection.Usually, it is a small garden which is designed to withstand the extremes of moisture and concentrations of nutrients, particularly Nitrogen and Phosphorus, that are found in stormwater runoff. rain gardens are sited ideally close to the source of the runoff and serve to slow the stormwater as it travels downhill, giving the stormwater more time to infiltrate and less opportunity to gain momentum and erosive power.

On the surface, a rain garden looks like an attractive garden. It may support habitat for birds and butterflies, it may be a formal landscape amenity or it may be incorporated into a larger garden as a border or as an entry feature. What makes it a rain garden is in how it gets its water and what happens to that water once it arrives in the garden.

Below the surface of the garden, a number of processes are occurring which mimic the hydrologic action of a healthy forest. Soils are engineered and appropriate plants selected for the rain garden. The garden is a small bioretention cell in which stormwater is cleaned and reduced in volume once it enters the rain garden. Nitrogen and phosphorus levels and overall sediment loads in the stormwater are reduced by the action of the plants and growing media on the water. Multiple rain gardens over an area will have a positive cumulative effect on both the volume and quality of stormwater run off.

Most of the examples of rain gardens that are available to review are populated with either herbaceous perennials, woody shrubs or trees. This does not mean that annuals are not a possible choice for such gardens; rather it means that the gardens constructed have been designed for habitat and low maintenance goals rather than purely seasonal aesthetics and color effects. Some annuals are good candidates for a higher maintenance version of a rain garden.

Working with rain garden consultants, designers and contractors in Louisville / Lexington Kentucky (Ky)
For most homeowners in Kentucky, rain gardens are simple, do-it-yourself projects that can be completed in a weekend with basic gardening skills and equipment. However, many landowners may not have the time, skills, equipment or ability to build their own rain features. For larger properties, most rain gardens and other “Green” stormwater structures require further consideration during design, construction and maintenance of these innovative systems.

Experienced “Green” professionals can provide some of the best support for the overall success of rain gardens. Some of the benefits may include: increased aesthetic value, heightened visual interest, increased public perception and approval, compliance with municipal and state permitting procedures, accurate construction cost estimates, faster installation time, anticipated maintenance plans, as well as a prolonged performance and life of the project. An investment in the services of experienced professionals is the best way to ensure the best performance of a “living” stormwater system.