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Ferns f or a Rain GardenWater-loving native ferns can be plantedas borders near the periphery of the

garden, where there are no trees orshrubs. The following native species canthrive in the damp conditions, quicklyprocess the ground water, and transpireground water into the atmosphere. Aswith other plant categories use thebotanical name when researching on theinternet or in a book and when

purchasing.

Azol la palmatum

Mosquito Fern

Cystopter is bulb i fera

Bulblet Fern

Dryopter is gold iana

Log FernDryoper is c l in tonia

Clinton’s Wood Fern

Onocl ea sensib i l is

Sensitive Fern

Osmunda regal is

Royal Fern

Osmunda c innemomeaCinnamon Fern

Thelypter is pa lus t ra

Marsh Fern

Raingarden Resources

RainGarden Design and Construction:http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/raingarde

nbk.pdf 

http://www.novaregion.org and search for“raingarden”

http://raingardens.org/docs/Create_A_Rain_Garden.pdf 

http://www.cwp.org/Community_Watersheds/brochure.pdf 

http://www.raingardens.org/Index.php 

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/resources/pub-Rain-Garden-Tech-Guide_2008-05.pdf 

Rain Water Harvesting

NoVa Regional Rain Barrel program:http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org/barrel.htm

http://www.rainwatermanagement.com

http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_ Docs/Residential/rainbarrelgarden.pdf 

http://rainbarrelguide.com/  

http://www.watersavers.com/ 

Special thanks to the City of Falls Church Stream Stewards, who created the original 

version of this brochure.

Cont ro l l i ng Sto rmw ater ,

Im prov ing Our L ives  

One

Rain

Garden

a t a T im e

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What is a Raingarden?A rain garden is a low-lying area withspecially-prepared soils and selected

native plants that serves to absorbrainwater runoff from surroundingrooftops, paved surfaces, and lawn.

How To Prepare the GardenSelect a low area away from yourhome where water normally flows. Ona flat yard, artificially create a low

area.

Mark that area for the garden. Thelarger the area, the more water youcan control. Dig out the marked areato a depth of at least 2 feet. Deeper isbetter.

Add to the soil leaf mulch or othercomposted organic matter.

For detailed instructions, go to thefollowing websites:

RainGarden Design and Construction:http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/raingardenb

k.pdf 

http://www.novaregion.org and search for“raingarden”

www.raingarden.org

Trees for a Rain GardenPlant native trees around theperimeter of the garden. These trees

will absorb huge quantities of waterfrom your yard. Search the botanicalname on the internet and find out theultimate mature size andcharacteristics of the following speciesbefore selecting one or more to plant.When purchasing a tree, use only thebotanical name, and do not allow the

nursery to talk you into a substitute.

Betu la n igra – River Birch 

Carpinus carol i n ia

American Hornbeam  I lex opaca

American Holly Magnol ia v i rg in iana – 

Sweetbay Magnolia 

Nyssa sy lvat ic a

Tupelo 

Quercus bicolor  

Swamp White Oak 

Sal ix d iscolor  Pussy Willow 

Taxodium d ist ic hum 

Bald Cypress 

Shrubs for a Rain GardenPlant native shrubs in the middle of therain garden. Each of the shrubs listed

below will absorb a lot of water.Choose the species according to youraesthetic interests. Each has differentcolored leaves and flowers. Searchthe botanical name on the internet forfurther information. When purchasinga shrub, use only the botanical nameand do not let the nursery talk you into

substitutions.

Aronia abut i fo l ia

Red Chokeberry 

Calycanthus f lor idus

Sweetshrub 

Clet hra a ln i fo l ia

Summersweet Cornus amom um

Silky Dogwood 

I lex g labra

Inkberry 

I lex ver t i lu la ta

Winterberry 

I tea v i rg in icaSweetspire 

Vacc in ium corymbosum

Highbush Blueberry 

Viburnum denta t um

Arrowwood Viburnum