What kinds of plants go in a rain garden?
Despite what you may think, rain gardens don’t have to be planted with water-loving plants! Since they drain so quickly (ideally 24-48 hours), the plants you put in only have to be able to tolerate lots of water for brief periods, but they also need to be able to withstand periods of drought. Different areas of your garden can be planted with different kinds of plants as well. For example, the berm won’t be receiving as much water as the low-lying middle, so arid plants (such as prickly pear, Kentucky’s native cactus) would do best there. If you’re not an experienced gardener or don’t have a lot of experience with native plants, just ask your local native plant nursery for suggestions. Remember to consider plant height, wildlife attraction, flowering, and sun/shade tolerance when choosing your plants.
