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What is a Rain Garden?

Rain gardens are filled with native shrubs, grasses, and flowers, and are typically planted on a natural slope. The goal of these gardens is to slow the flow of rainwater and filter out dangerous chemicals before they reach a body of water. Removing these chemicals is essential to keeping our lakes and rivers free from pollution.

Meet the Different Plants in our Rain Garden!

All of the plants in our garden are native to the state of Michigan, and were picked for the unique characteristics that make them well suited for a rain garden. Click on each of the buttons below to learn more about the different plants.

NOTE: Our rain garden is freshly planted, so our plants are still getting established. Next year, they’ll have thicker and stronger roots that will support them and allow them to grow much bigger. A lot of them won’t flower this year, so if you have a question about identifying anything in the garden, don’t hesitate to ask one of our library staff.

Carex vulpinoidea aka Fox Sedge

Info

Many different species of birds make use of fox sedges, including ducks, cardinals, and sparrows. They are perennials, which mean they live for more than two years. These sedges can also grow up to 3 feet high.

 

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History and Uses

Fox Sedges have been used by Indigenous Peoples in North America to build cleaning brushes, moccasins, and berry baskets. The Niimíipuu people also use them to make rope and twine.

Location in Rain Garden

Fox Sedges are a great addition to our rain garden due to their natural clumping form and their ability to survive severe flooding. You’ll find them spread throughout the garden in between the other plants.

Allium cernuum aka Nodding Onion

Info

Nodding onions have clusters of small, pink or white bulbs that weigh the stem down. This is what gives them the name “nodding.” They are perennial, hardy, and can easily absorb water, which makes them perfect for our rain garden.

 

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History & Uses

Nodding onions are edible, and they have similar medicinal uses to garlic. They were used by used by Indigenous Peoples to be steamed or pressed into cakes before consumption.

 

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Location in Rain Garden

The Nodding Onions sit at the front part of the garden. They should be one of the closest plants to you when you stand in front of the garden.

Fragaria vesca aka Wild Strawberry

Info

Wild strawberries are not like the typical strawberries you’d get at the grocery store! They are smaller and sweeter, and have been around for longer. The word “strawberry” comes from the way that strawberries grow. They tend to spread along the ground and “stray” from the main plant.

Learn More about Wild Strawberries

History and Uses
Wild strawberries are very sweet, and have been used for centuries to make drinks, breads, and soups. Indigenous Peoples in the Eastern United States have a festival honoring strawberries in the month of June called Strawberry Moon.
Location in Rain Garden

The Wild Strawberries are around the curve of the garden closest to the building. They’ll spread out pretty far though, so check around the other plants for some of their delicious fruit!

Zizia aurea aka Golden Alexander

Info

Golden Alexanders are actually members of the carrot family! They’re perennials that can grow up to 2 feet tall and they love moist environments.

 

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History & Uses

Golden Alexanders look similar to wild parsnips, but wild parsnips are poisonous, so be careful when you’re out in nature! Golden Alexanders don’t have as many known applications for humans, but they’re great at attracting pollinators and providing pollen and nectar.

 

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Location in Rain Garden

The Golden Alexanders are located around the back of the garden with the other tall plants. They’re the only yellow flowers in the garden, so they should be easy to identify.

Echinacea purpurea aka Purple Coneflower

Info

Coneflowers are perennials with large, long-lasting purple flowers. Their genus name (Echinacea) comes from the Greek word for hedgehog, echinos. This is in reference to their spiny brown centers.

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History and Uses

Coneflowers are an herbal medicine, and have been used to treat colds, coughs, respiratory infections, and occasionally, inflammatory illnesses. Indigenous tribes have used this plant for centuries to treat swelling, burning, and pain. It’s considered to be one of the sacred Life Medicines of the Diné people.

Learn More about Coneflowers: 1 2

Location in Rain Garden

Coneflowers grow tall, so they’re located around the back part of our rain garden. You’ll see them next to the Blue Vervain and the Golden Alexanders.

Verbena hastata aka American Blue Vervain

Info

Blue Vervain is a large perennial that typically grows up to 4 feet tall, but can grow to well over 6 feet tall in the right conditions. They do very well in moist environments and are frequently found growing around ponds. They tend to flower between the months of June and October.

Learn More about Blue Vervain

History & Uses

Blue Vervain is edible and has a long medicinal history. The most frequently consumed part is the seeds. They were dried and eaten or ground into a flour. The leaves of the plant have also been used in tea. The roots and leaves were the most important parts of the plant for medicine, and they were used to treat colds, cramps, depression, epilepsy, fevers, headaches, insomnia, and stomachaches, as well as countless other ailments.

Learn More about Blue Vervain

Location in Rain Garden

Our Blue Vervain can be found growing around the back of our garden. This plant grows to be pretty tall, so it’s placement in the back stops it from blocking the smaller plants.

Asclepias incarnata aka Swamp Milkweed

Info

Swamp Milkweed is a tall perennial that makes its home in swamps, marshes, bogs, and other wetlands. You can tell if a plant is milkweed by breaking off a tiny part of the leaf. The broken part of the plant should ooze a sticky, milky substance.

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History and Uses
 
In terms of uses, swamp milkweed is best used to attract pollinators and provide a safe home for monarch butterflies. Because they only lay their eggs on the milkweed plants, these plants are essential to protecting monarch butterflies.
Location in Rain Garden

As another one of our tall plants, the swamp milkweed is planted at the back of the garden for best visibility.

Hibiscus moscheutos aka Swamp Rose Mallow

Info

This perennial wildflower can grow anywhere from 3 to 7 feet tall. They bloom from mid summer to early fall and have red to pink to white petals with a red center. Their preference for wet conditions makes them wonderful additions to our rain garden.

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History & Uses

There aren’t any known reports on whether or not this plant is edible, but other plants in the swamp rose mallow’s family have edible leaves and flowers. Though they are edible, they’re bitter, bland, and overall not enjoyable. Other plants in this family have been used to treat urinary ailments and inflammation.

Learn More about Swamp Rose Mallow

Location in Rain Garden

Swamp rose mallow can also grow up to 7 feet tall, so this plant will be around the back of our garden as well.