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For more highly engineered systems, see [[Bioretention]]. <br>
For more highly engineered systems, see [[Bioretention]]. <br>
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Image:Rain garden.png|thumb|700 px|This is an imagemap of a rain garden, clicking on the components will load the appropriate article.
Image:Rain garden.png|thumb|700 px|An image of a typical rain garden, with various vegetation, shrub species, and perennials to increase infiltration, filter out pollutants and reduce runoff/overland flow directed into the facility from rainwater collected from a building's roof. Rain gardens also provide food and shelter for pollinators, bird species, and other wildlife. More complex rain gardens with drainage systems and amended soils are often referred to as [[bioretention]] facilities. <span style="color:red">''A note: The following is an "image map", feel free to explore the image with your cursor and click on highlighted labels that appear to take you to corresponding pages on the Wiki.''</span>
circle 408 129 106 [[Shrubs]]
circle 408 129 106 [[Shrubs]]
circle 394 921 102 [[Shrubs]]
circle 394 921 102 [[Shrubs]]
A well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal care, which is a great marketing point for persuading homeowners. In the first two years, the plants will need watering to ensure they become established. After this establishment period, the garden should only need simple maintenance, e.g. weeding.
A well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal care, which is a great marketing point for persuading homeowners. In the first two years, the plants will need watering to ensure they become established. After this establishment period, the garden should only need simple maintenance, e.g. weeding.
For a table summarizing information on planning considerations and site constraints see [[Site considerations]].
==Design==
==Design==
*Vegetation must also be capable of tolerating prolonged wet and dry periods unless an irrigation plan is in place
*Vegetation must also be capable of tolerating prolonged wet and dry periods unless an irrigation plan is in place
*If the facility is intended to be relatively inconspicuous, then the tallest plant material should be placed into the deepest part of the rain garden. Otherwise, choose taller plants for the back of the garden tapering the height down to the front of the garden. <ref name=LO>Peel Fusion Landscaping
*If the facility is intended to be relatively inconspicuous, then the tallest plant material should be placed into the deepest part of the rain garden. Otherwise, choose taller plants for the back of the garden tapering the height down to the front of the garden. <ref name=LO>Peel Fusion Landscaping
</ref>
</ref>.
|-
|-
! Mid Zone
! Mid Zone
| Often referred to as the floodfringe area. This zone is inundated less frequently (2 – 100 year storm events) and has periodically high levels of moisture in the soil. The ecology of this zone is a transition from the Mineral Meadow Marsh/Beach-type community to an upland community.
| Often referred to as the flood fringe area. This zone is inundated less frequently (2 – 100 year storm events) and has periodically high levels of moisture in the soil. The ecology of this zone is a transition from the Mineral Meadow Marsh/Beach-type community to an upland community.
|-
|-
! High Zone
! High Zone
| Often referred to as upland area. The ecology of this zone is terrestrial due to its elevation in relation to the filter bed. The zone most closely resembles a Cultural Meadow or a Cultural Thicket community, depending on the mix of grasses, herbaceous material, shrubs and trees utilized.
| Often referred to as upland area. The ecology of this zone is terrestrial due to its elevation in relation to the filter bed. The zone most closely resembles a Cultural Meadow or a Cultural Thicket community, depending on the mix of grasses, herbaceous material, shrubs and trees utilized.
|}
|}
[[File:Soil moisture zones levels.PNG|600px|thumb|A simplified schematic depicting the three primary zones associated with soil moisture levels and the appropriate plant species selected for each zone's specific soil characteristics, best adapted to the area's growing conditions. ([https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/com_lo_rain-ready-guide_20220328-FINAL3.pdf|Photo Source: CVC, 2022])<ref>CVC. 2022. Native Plants for Rain-ready Landscapes> plant these native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and groundcovers to help manage stormwater - beautifully. cvc.ca/GreenYourProperty. https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/com_lo_rain-ready-guide_20220328-FINAL3.pdf</ref>]]
'''Low Zone'''
'''Low Zone'''
*Mineral Meadow Marsh plant community
*Mineral Meadow Marsh plant community
*This area can be considered a transition area into other landscape or site areas.
*This area can be considered a transition area into other landscape or site areas.
*A variety (min. five) species should be used to prevent a monoculture.
*A variety (min. five) species should be used to prevent a monoculture.
==Landscaping Design Consideration==
*In natural areas, a diversity of plant types not only adds beauty but also create a thick underground root matrix that keeps the entire plant community in balance. In fact, 80% of the plant mass in native prairie communities is underground. Once the rain garden has matured and your sedges, rushes and grasses have established a deep, thick root system, there will be less change in species location from year to year, and weeds will naturally decline. <ref>Appendix D - Low Impact Development Concepts, Rain Gardens: A how-to manual for homeowners, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Page 15</ref>.
*Smooth out any sharp corners to create flow in your garden.
*Neat edges can be established using pavers, walls or bands of turf create an attractive amenity within the residential landscape.
==See Also==
==See Also==
*[http://www.raingardentour.ca/ Raingarden tour]
*[http://www.raingardentour.ca/ Raingarden tour]
*[https://rainscapeto.ca/ RainScapeTO]
*[https://rainscapeto.ca/ RainScapeTO]
==Gallery==
{{:Rain gardens: Gallery}}
==References==
[[category:infiltration]]
[[category:infiltration]]