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With the quality of the water in our rivers, lakes and wetlands in constant decline, it was becoming apparent that society needed to take a serious look at this issue and how we might reverse this alarming trend. One result of this serious look was the creation of the rainwater garden.
Common ox-eye, Blue vervain, Yarrow, etc.
The rainwater garden after 3 growing seasons
An explosion of color!
Native plants in the urban landscape
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Essentially, a rainwater garden acts like a giant filter that “pulls out” pollutants and sediment from stormwater before it reaches our rivers, lakes and wetlands. By using native plants, valuable habitat is also created for a variety of wildlife including songbirds and butterflies. And of course, the low-maintenance, diverse beauty of native plants is unmatched.
In the summer of 2001, when rainwater gardens were a relatively new concept, PRI was contracted by the city of Wayzata to install their first such garden.
This particular rainwater garden was designed by Bonestroo and Associates, an engineering and architecture firm based in St. Paul. Following the installation of the specialized soil mix (completed by the city), approximately 3,000 4-inch pots were planted through a coconut fiber erosion control blanket. The blanket was used to help keep weed competition to a minimum, as well as to retain soil moisture. The 10 species used on this project were selected based on their ability to tolerate the highly variable moisture conditions that can be found in rainwater gardens, and on design considerations (height, color, texture, bloom times).
PRI crews have provided all the subsequent maintenance for this garden, which has included spot mowing, spot spraying and hand weeding.
For more information on rainwater gardens visit our rainwater gardens page in our resource library.
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