Top 10 Rain Garden Plants To Grow

A rain garden can be turned into a beautiful landscape by planting exquisite plants, both flowering and non-flowering in a planned manner.

Here is a list of top 10 rain garden plants that can enhance the aesthetics of your garden. Follow this compact list of plants to grow in rain garden and the place will be blooming in no time.

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   Swamp Sunflower

Swamp sunflower is a flowering plant native to the eastern parts of the United States. It grows in abundance in areas where the temperature does not go below – 10 degrees Fahrenheit. They are salt tolerant and grows best in plenty of sunshine. The golden yellow color can brighten up any rain garden. Swamp sunflower plants grow well in wet pine lands and swamps. Low spot rain gardens where the soil is saturated with water for a prolonged period of time, are good this plant.

2. Canna Lily

Canna Lily is an exquisite species which is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America. They are not true lilies but they have bright and loud colors with a large foliage. Canna lilies grow in a wide array of colors like red, orange, pink, yellow and relevant shades. These plants can be quite tall and grow up to a height of 8 feet. It is one of the best choices for a rain garden which has water saturated soil since Canna lilies love wet soil. Also read: diy rain chains.

3. Blue flag Iris

Blue Flag Iris is known by many other names like the northern blue flag, Harlequin blue flag, poison flag and more. This rain garden plant produces bright purple colored flowers which add a lovely look to the garden. They grow best in marshes, wet soils, meadows and shores. Blue Iris is native to Eastern United states, North America and eastern Canada. This plant needs full sunshine and plenty of water. It is tolerant of cold temperatures.

4. California Poppy

California poppy is a vibrant flowering plant which grows mainly in California and Oregon. These rain garden plants produce paper thin flowers whose colors range from white to yellow to red.  The green leaves and the brightly colored flowers can impart a fabulous look to your rain garden. Rain gardens and sunny hillsides are the best locations for these plants to thrive well in. They are tolerant to drought and the bloom period extends when sunshine and water are provided sufficiently.

5. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular rain garden plants used for its enchanting fragrance. It is a plant native to the Mediterranean regions and found in many varieties. You can plant lavender plants at the edge of your rain garden or border the garden with these pretty shrubs. Lavender does not survive well in extremely cold temperatures and needs lots of sunshine and moderate water. The tiny violet flowers generally bloom in late spring and continue blooming till early summer. Also read: diy rain barrel.

6. Lady Fern

If you are looking for lovely feathery leaved plants for rain garden, Lady Fern can be your garden’s best friend. Its name is derived from its ladylike, graceful appearance. Native to the northern hemisphere, Lady Fern grows well in woodlands, wetlands, damp and shady areas. These rain garden plants are widely used for decoration purposes and can revamp the look of your rain garden. The height of this plant ranges from 4 to 5 feet. Rain basins and lower spots in the garden would be the best place to plant Lady Ferns.

7. Daylily

Daylily is a lovely flowering plant which can grow in a wide variety of soil. This species is native to the eastern parts of Asia. The word Daylily refers ‘beauty for a day’. The color of this flower ranges from white to yellow and goes further to orange and pink shades. Whether you want a flowering plant or a non-flowering one, Daylily plants add a unique texture to the garden with its fountain like leaves. These plants can thrive in cold temperatures of up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Also read: rain gutter garden ideas.

8. Scarlet Rose Mallow

Known to grow in abundance in the southeastern parts of the United States, this beautiful, woody-based flowering plant can thrive in cold climate. These rain water plants can reach a height range of about 3 feet to 6 feet in length and from 2 feet to 3 feet in width. These plants need plenty of natural light to be in full bloom. Wet and moist soil or swamps are the most suitable places for Scarlet Rose plants to grow in. Although its shape differs from that of a rose, the 5 dark colored petals can surely make your garden look gorgeous.

9. Butterfly weed

As the name suggests, butterflies are attracted to this species of milkweed. These rain water plants are native to eastern North America. The flowers of this plant are bright orange in color and they grow from 0.3 to 1 meter in height. They produce good amounts of nectar which attracts butterflies. Gravel soil, sand or dry soil suits this plant the best and needs full sun. It is tolerant of cold climatic conditions and can survive in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. While planting Butterfly weed plants, make sure that it receives a good amount of sunlight.

10. Swamp Milkweed

Swamp milkweed is a plan which is native to the eastern part of the United States. These rain water plants can thrive in cold temperatures up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The stems of this plant are green and the flowers are mauve in color, which bloom seasonally. Due to its ability to produce an abundant amount of nectar, monarch butterflies derive their food source form this plant. Their height ranges from 4-5 feet and the width ranges from 2-3 feet. These plants grow well in wet soil, meadows and swamps. They can do well in average garden soil.

Rain garden plants generally require wet or saturated soil, full sun and moist air to grow and bloom. Add these plants to your garden to alter the look of the landscape. Make sure that you provide the necessary and optimum conditions for every plant in your garden.