Ottawa National Forest Establishes Rain Garden

By Susan Trull on Jun 6, 2010

Over 2000 seedlings were planted in a rain garden to treat stormwater runoff.

The Ottawa National Forest Botany Program established a rain/wetland garden to treat runoff from a new administrative site, helping the constructed facility to achieve high LEED status. The new garden is located at the Forest Visitor Center, and water is piped from the district office complex across an access road.

In 2009, seeds were collected on the Forest and delivered to a nearby grower to raise seedlings. In 2010, the garden basin was cleared and shaped, and over 2000 seedlings were planted. Fifteen wildflower and nine graminoid species were included.

The seedlings established well, and filled in the basin by late summer. A few species flowered this first year. Stepping stones to a viewing point at the edge of the garden were added. An interpretive sign was designed, produced, and installed in time for ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new office.

One purpose of the garden is to provide pollinator habitat, and monarch butterfly caterpillars quickly found their food plant--swamp milkweed--within two months of planting. Dragonflies and damselflies are also seen in the garden.

In August, an evening slide show and garden tour was held, as part of the Visitor Center summer program series. Attendees learned about the benefits of rain gardens and how they might build their own. During the tour, they could see how some plants they might choose would look once planted.