Rain Garden Resources

Rain gardens are planted in a shallow depression that collect the rain that falls on roofs, driveways, or landscapes and allow the water to soak into the ground.

The front of a peach-colored house with a small flower garden and yard

Why plant rain gardens?

Rain gardens are a beautiful alternative to high-water use turf grass that also benefits pollinators, water quality, and wildlife.

Protecting our water resources

Colorado communities are facing unprecedented pressure on dwindling water resources due to factors such as climate change (increased drought conditions) and dramatic rises in population. These factors are resulting in increased water demand for outdoor irrigation.

Implementing more efficient ways to irrigate landscapes while preserving the beauty of vegetated spaces is becoming more important than ever in our state.

A small flower garden in front of a house with mulch.

Planting Layouts and Guides

Resources to build your own rain garden

In collaboration with the Colorado State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture’s Dr. Jennifer Bousselot and Thomas Hickey (graduate student), the Colorado Water Center has developed nine plant-by-number rain garden planting layouts for full sun, part shade, and full shade.

These guides include planting layouts and specifications along with information about the native plants, care and maintenance.

Residential Rain Garden Pilot Project 2022 -2023

The Project team created the resources and training materials needed to enable the expansion of rain garden installations across Colorado. Additionally, a total of 19 residential rain gardens were installed in Fort Collins, Wellington, Greeley, Windsor, Loveland, Longmont, Commerce City, Centennial, and Denver to showcase the benefits of including rain gardens in residential yards and offering a beautiful alternative to high-water use turf grass that also benefits pollinators, water quality, and wildlife.

Community members trained

Rain gardens Planted

1200

Square feet of rain gardens installed

Rain barrels installed

617

Native and adapted plants planted

Thank you to our project sponsors, partners, and collaborators!

The Residential Rain Garden Pilot Project would not have been possible without the tremendous support from our funding partners including the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Water Center, Northern Water, City of Greeley, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, Mile High Flood District, and Groundwork Denver. This highly collaborative project demonstrated the ability to amplify community- centered sustainability initiatives through partnerships.

This project included collaboration across Colorado State University (CSU) disciplines. Dr. Jennifer Bousselot (Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) and graduate student Thomas Hickey (Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) designed the planting layouts. Additionally, Deryn Davidson, Interim Extension Director Jefferson County, CSU Extension consulted and collaborated on this project. CSU Extension also provided funding for project staff, Riley Lynch and Mia Campbell.

Project sponsors

Demonstration rain garden installations

Due to the funding provided by our project partners, it was FREE for homeowners to participate in the Rain Garden Pilot Program. Each homeowner received a site evaluation, native plants, irrigation supplies, downspout extenders, mulch, rain garden installation, and optional rain barrels and rain barrel installation all free of charge.