This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
the correct depth, size and location for your garden can be found easily online. An unexpected variable encountered


by Maxemuck was the need for irriga- tion in the rain garden during Mani- toba’s hot summer months. “When I began researching rain gardens, I never considered how much water they would require in the dry periods of the summer,” he acknowledges. The situa- tion was easily fixed by adding a couple of medium sized sprinklers to irrigate when required. Creating your Beautiful Garden The best time to create a rain garden


is in the spring using healthy estab- lished plants from a local garden centre. Native perennial plants are often great choices for rain gardens as they have adapted to the local condi- tions. Another requirement is that they be able to thrive in temporar- ily wet or soggy conditions. When making your selection, try to choose non-invasive varieties and plants with larger root structures which are help- ful in removing toxins such as nitrates and phosphates from the water. C & S Gardens has successfully added birch,


daylilies, liatris, echinacea, potentillas, dogwoods, hydrangeas,


spirea, Karl


Forrester and other grasses. “Weeding, especially in the first few


years while plants are becoming estab- lished, is important,” states Maxemuck. “When it does get wet, it can be difficult to weed for a long period of time, espe- cially if you don’t have a mulch cover. It is important to help the rain garden plants get well established so they can compete with the weeds and develop a


healthy root system to prepare them for the winter months.” Other maintenance tasks include


keeping the garden well watered in the first year, aerating the soil occasionally so that it does not become compacted, slowing down drainage, dividing and cutting back plants, and checking for signs of erosion. Once a rain garden is established it actually should require little maintenance. Now that is a thing of beauty! q


Keep it natural • Rain gardens attract wildlife,


birds and butterflies and add an attractive and creative alternative to traditional lawn landscapes. • Rain gardens have lower main-


tenance needs than lawns because there is no need to mow, fertilize, or water once established. • Rain gardens can reduce storm


drain overload and flooding if adopted buy a like minded group of neighbours.


Some of the native plants suitable for rain gardens:


Astilbe Iris Fern Dogwood Nannyberry Bee balm Birch


Potentilla Spirea Hostas Echinacea Columbine Native grasses


24 • Early Spring 2014


www.localgardener.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32