Rain Gardening Ideas

Recently, an impressive amount of rain has fallen in South Carolina. With excess rainfall, also comes an increased potential for stormwater runoff. A landscape feature that can help mediate stormwater is a rain garden. Rain gardens are landscaped depressions that receive stormwater runoff and allow the water to infiltrate the soil slowly, eventually reaching the groundwater table. (See Figure 1). A rain garden can add both beauty and functionality to any landscape. Multiple plant species can be used in a rain garden, including shrubs, perennials (both shade and sun-loving), and grasses. Please see the plant lists below for rain garden plant recommendations.

To learn more about rain gardens or about how to become a Master Rain Gardener, see  https://www.clemson.edu/extension/raingarden/mrg/index.html.

Figure 1: Rain gardens are landscaped depressions that receive stormwater runoff and allow the water to infiltrate the soil slowly, eventually reaching the groundwater table.
Illustration credit: A Guide to Rain Gardens in South Carolina (Clemson Cooperative Extension)

Rain Garden Plant Recommendations