Page 51 - 7166 - Rain Garden Handbook

The Benefits Plant 45
3

of Plants Planting Zones

Plants and soil work together in the rain garden. Rain gardens have three planting zones. Zone 1 is the bottom of the rain
The plant roots and soil organisms build soil garden—the wettest area. Zone 2 covers the side slopes, which occasionally
structure, create channels and pores to soak up may become wet. This zone requires plants to help stabilize the slopes. Zone 3
and filter water, and improve nutrient and oxygen covers the area around the perimeter of the rain garden and/or on the berm,
availability necessary to support an abundance where plants will grow in drier soil.
of life. While plants help the rain garden absorb
stormwater, they also create an attractive landscape
for your yard and neighborhood. For sample ZONE 3
planting plans see pages 51 through 54 and refer For plants that prefer
drier conditions
to Appendix A for a recommended plant list.

ZONE 2
For plants on the
side slopes that can
tolerate occasional
Overflow
standing water
Washington State University Extension Washington State University Extension wettest area of the
Inflow
ZONE 1
For plants in the

rain garden

Plant It Right

There are many great resources for plant
selection and landscaping. Be sure to check out
www.greatplantpicks.org and www.raingarden.
wsu.edu, and refer to Appendix B for a full list
of resources.