![]() ![]() “Plants that do well there may not do so well here, so our research involves mostly species that are native to our region,” she said. Most rain garden research has been done in the eastern U.S., where the amount of summer rainfall is significantly greater than in the Pacific Northwest, she said. ![]() Whether you live west of the Cascades with more precipitation or east of the range where it’s drier, “certain native plants should do well in either climate when planted in a rain garden that’s properly designed,” she said. Which plants are suitable? By experimenting on 16 rain gardens at WSU Puyallup’s Research and Extension Center south of Seattle, horticulturist Rita Hummel has figured it out. Photo at top shows rain gardens at WSU’s stormwater center at the Puyallup Research and Extension Center near Seattle. Native plants find use statewide WSU horticulturist Rita Hummel in front of Oregon grape, an attractive evergreen shrub that grows in the Pacific Northwest and does well in rain gardens. Meaning that, as long it’s carefully placed and holds the right soil mix and suitable plants, you too can have a rain garden, regardless of where in the region you live. In a green movement sweeping the Pacific Northwest, many of these landscaping marvels are being installed with the know-how gained by researchers at Washington State University. Rain gardens – scenic sponges that harness rainwater and filter pollutants – are taking root along public curbsides, in front of businesses and behind homes. ![]() – Leave it to Northwesterners to brandish garden gloves and trowels in their attack against water pollution. ![]()
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