Harvest the Heavens... for Healthy Watersheds

Rainscapes recreate natural ecosystems to help soil capture and filter rain water, which prevents pollution runoff and erosion, while also recharging groundwater supplies. From simple rain barrels to elaborate rain gardens, Rainscapes are a wonderful mix of innovative approaches which help conserve our natural resources while creating habitat areas full of beauty and life.

Plant Selection
Use native plants whenever possible. These proven performers are ideally suited to our region's environmental conditions, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Design for color and beauty throughout the year by choosing plants that produce blooms, seeds, berries, or other fruit, in a variety of seasons. It's best to group plants together by height, moisture, and sunlight requirements. Also select plants which enjoy moist conditions, but which will also tolerate periods of drought. Here's a partial list of commonly available native plants. Most are tolerant of either sun or partial shade, unless noted otherwise (☀️ requires full sun).

Rain Gardens
Transform a drab corner of your landscape into a dynamic, rain-driven ecosystem! Just create a modest ponding area or bermed depression in your yard, improve the soil, add an eye-popping assortment of native plants. You'll soon capture thousands
of gallons of runoff, using each valuable drop to nurture a vibrant new garden.

Rain Barrels
Collect and store clean, chemical-free rainwater for when you most need it, whether watering plants, washing cars and windows, or topping off ponds. You can easily make your own or purchase them either as kits or fully-assembled. Connect two or more together for increased storage capacity.

Ferns & Grasses
Big Bluestem ☀️
Cinnamon Fern
Little Bluestem
Red Fescue
Royal Fern
Switchgrass ☀️

Herbaceous Plants
Bee Balm/Wild Bergamot
Boneset/White Snakeroot
Butterfly Weed ☀️
Cardinal Flower
Coneflower (various)
Eastern Columbine
Goldenrod (various)
Great Blue Lobelia
Joe Pye Weed ☀️
Milkweed (Swamp & Common)
New England Aster
New York Ironweed ☀️
Swamp Sunflower ☀️
Virginia Bluebells
Wild Blue Phlox
Wild Geranium

Small Trees & Shrubs
American Holly
Buttonbush ☀️
Elderberry
High Bush Blueberry
Silky Dogwood
Viburnum (various)
Winterberry


For more information, visit us online at
Rainscapes.org
Department of Environmental Protection
Montgomery County, Maryland

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Safeway
Wheaton Veterans Park, a War Memorial
The Spirit of Wheaton
Emerald Ash Borer
Stream Restoration
Evans Parkway Neighborhood Park
Bioretention
Bioretention Gardens
Emerald Ash Borer
Welcome to Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel at Wheaton Regional Park

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