HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 04-17 Rain Garden recipes STAR TRIBUNE �c StarTribune
Rain garden recipes ��� '�dd ��D
Blog Post by:Lynn Underwood « 1 7.2015
April 17,2015-133 PM . �
Eco-friendly rain gardens are smart for the environment-but aren't always pretty. They can turn into an overgrown
mishmash of out-of-control foliage and fiowers if you don't know what you're doing.
That's what happened to my compact backyard bed.I planted a combination of deep-rooted perennials like rudbeckia and
purple coneflowers in a super low part of my yard.Most of them absorbed and survived the rain water-and stream from my
neighbor's sump pump hose-that rushed down to the garden. Each summer,I mindlessly added plants-not paying much
attention to creating an appealing whesive design -and hardty ever divided them.
True rain gardens capture and filter rainwater runoff before it can
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pollute our lakes and streams.The garden is bowl-shaped and -�, _
composed of deep-rooted hardy wiidflower and praine plants that can �
handle reiny and dry spells.If you're digging a rain garden -there's � � � �� �� ���..�� �''�� �� -_
plenty of step-by-step instructions and long plant lists all overthe -� ` �-�"
Internet.
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But make sure to check out the city of Maplewood's website.That �;.�� „�;��
community has been at the forefront of promoting rain gardens.And a
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they've done us weil-meaning,but challenged rain gardeners a huge ,y�.�� ,,,.�,,,��� ?,p�r-x'� �": �
favor.Posted on the website(http://biLly/1 HANkWM)are ten fool-proof a.`- � +i� �
color-coded rain garden designs that show exactly what plants to pick „ ... �'''�'�� ��� `
and where to place them.Have a sunny spo(?There's a layout for a � � � � �� -�- ��-�-
sunny border garden.Like prairie plants? Follow the"Minnesota
Prairie garden"dia9ram. When I dig a real rain garden-hopefully this summer-iPs going to look exactly like one of the
designs
.Have you planted a rain garden and does it stiil look pretty?What
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4 ;�� Designs from the City of Maplewood and Bonestroo.
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