Plants for rain gardens - from wet feet to dry summers
A rain garden collects rainwater and lets it slowly soak into the soil. This only works with planting that can cope with alternately wet and dry conditions. At Avaxa Plants you put that planting together from the range of over 400 growers, and receive everything in one delivery from Boskoop.
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is a sunken planting bed where rainwater from roofs, terraces or paving flows. The water stands there briefly and then soaks into the ground. This relieves the sewer system and replenishes groundwater.
Rain gardens are increasingly in demand. Municipalities encourage the disconnection of rainwater, property developers must build in a climate-adaptive way, and private clients want a garden that can cope with heavy downpours and drought. For you as a gardener or landscaping company, it is a growing commission, provided the planting is right.
The difference with a wadi: a wadi is usually larger, often sown with grass and part of public space. A rain garden is smaller and richly planted. The plant selection in this overview works for both.
The three zones of a rain garden
A rain garden has three zones, each with its own requirements for planting. Choose by zone and the bed will stay healthy all year round.
Zone
1. Base (lowest part)
2. Slope (sloping side)
3. Edge (top)
Situation
Under water for hours to days after a shower, dry in summer
Occasionally wet, water flows past
Rarely wet, often dry and sunny
What the plant must be able to do
Tolerate wet feet and drought, root deeply
Hold the soil against erosion, cope with varying moisture
Tolerate drought, visually finish the bed
Product suggestions per zone
These species are proven suitable for rain gardens and fit within the Avaxa Plants range. Each plant name links to the corresponding product page in the webshop.
Zone 1 - Base: for wet feet and drought
PLANT
GROUP
WHY IN A RAIN GARDEN?