Who Says A Gutter Can't Be Beautiful?

Rain gardens are an easy, natural answer to the question of stormwater management.  Mimicking natural systems, rain gardens are designed to collect the rainwater that runs off buildings, parking areas, and lawns, filter that water, and control its flow into the surrounding waterways.  They reduce the risk of flash floods, stabilize the volume and temperature of the water flow, and neutralize many of the pollutants that may have washed off the surrounding flat areas.

Rain gardens are easy to create too.  First, they need to be created in a depression to force rainwater to flow into the garden.  Plants such as rushes, ferns, and wildflowers can be planted in the depression, or a natural wetland habitat with tall grasses and cattails can be created if the water flow is heavy.  Ideally, the garden should be filled native plants, and can be located near your gutter drain or alongside your driveway or patio.

For tips on creating your own rain garden, go to www.native-raingarden.com. or click here.  cwc_raingardenbrochure