Email becca@hawksandowls.com

I was approached last summer by Patricia Pennell with West Michigan Environmental Council to design Grand Rapids' first Rain Garden. My qualifications are unique: not only am I an experienced designer (not just Rain Gardens, but "regular" gardens, interior design, lighting design, and kitchen/bath design for residential and commercial applications), I'm also a riparian gardener. (That means that I live and garden next to a river.) Sometimes my garden is 3' underwater and I've watched carp and bass swimming amongst the perennials.

Through trial and error, I've learned what will and what will not grow in a flood zone. I've watched my cultivated plants wash out by the roots and float away. Water velocity is a significant part of a flood garden or a rain garden. It is important to grow plants that will survive such extreme conditions.

Walking in the surrounding wetlands and woods, in all types of weather, I noted all of the different and beautiful plants. Anything I couldn't identify, I researched. I spent years experimenting with different native and cultivated flowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs. The results were spectacular: a low-maintenance garden in bloom from spring thru fall, filled with butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds galore. Walking through my gardens not only delights the eyes - it feeds the soul. You, too, can have this experience.

What is a rain garden? I invite you to visit the rain garden, called "The River of Stars," on Market Street. I will have more pictures as soon as it starts blooming. I have some photos of rain garden plants. Also, check out the following links below.