I'm sharing two plants that I really like and have had success with. I have grown Swamp Milkweed in my perennial garden. Its height shows off nicely with lower blossoming flowers for a layered look. The bright orange blossoms are beautiful and attract and feed the butterflies. My other flower is a Coral bell. Depending on the variety you pick, you can add color from the foliage and then there is the showy stalk with the tiny pink florets that the hummingbirds love. They are so delicate looking but add something unique to the visual beauty of your rain garden. My "new" plant that I am going to try is the Peruvian Lilly. The foliage and pretty flowers look appealing for a mid- layer of plant growth.

I have to decided to use the Michigan Science Center (Downton Detroit) as my project. There is an existing rain garden at the site that has been neglected. Carole (person in charge of the project at the center) stated that they have obtained a grant to have it redone. I understand that the basin is not deep enough and has to be redone. Carole is looking for help with plants and suggestions. Rain water from the parking lot will be used. The shape of the site is a crescent moon. The approximate measurements are; width: 180 feet, length: 1,500 feet. It was raining the day I visited.

The photo labeled "two" with no snow... If you dig a gravel walkway from the driveway down to the rain garden location to force the water to the desired location the water will not affect the basement. Curve the walkway all the way up into the corner by the garage door, or use something very densely rooted as an edging to deflect the water to the walkway. Siberian or Japanese Iris work well for this,or even Liriope which is evergreen.

Tackling the problem of getting water from the downspout to the garden location was a pain but hopefully I have prevailed!