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.

Our Home in Flood

My Garden

Information on Rain Gardens

Information on West Michigan Environmental Action Council

City of Grand Rapids first Rain Garden

Click on pic to enlarge

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