A rain garden allows stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious areas to be absorbed into the ground. This reduces erosion, water pollution and flooding.
Native plants are recommended for rain gardens because they generally don't require fertilizer and are more tolerant of one’s local climate, soil, and water conditions. Click on the links to the right for more information on plants native to the St. Louis area. The plants take up excess water flowing into the rain garden. Water filters through soil layers before entering the groundwater system.
Rain gardens are beneficial for many reasons:
- improve water quality by filtering run-off
- provide localized flood control
- aesthetically pleasing
- and provide interesting planting opportunities
In addition, the water in the rain garden will infiltrate the ground within a day or two, which will not allow mosquitoes to breed.
A rain garden provides a way to use and optimize any rain that falls, reducing or avoiding the need for irrigation. They also allow a homeowner or business owner to deal with excessive rainwater runoff without burdening the public storm water systems.
MSD is a proud partner of Show Me Rain Gardens, a regional water quality effort to promote rain gardens.
