Lexington Fayette Urban County: Rain Gardens

Bring on the Butterflies! A rain garden has many benets, including that it: Signicantly lters and reduces runoff before it enters local waterways and groundwater Decreases drainage problems and localized ooding Conserves water and reduces pollution... More

Bring on the Butterflies! A rain garden has many benets, including that it: Signicantly lters and reduces runoff before it enters local waterways and groundwater Decreases drainage problems and localized ooding Conserves water and reduces pollution Attracts birds, bees, and butteries Recharges the groundwater supply Is a Best Management Practice (BMP) to improve Lexington’s water quality • • • • • • Rain gardens not only look beautiful, but create a habitat for local wildlife, such as butterflies, insects, and birds. Left: Purple Stem Aster (Aster puniceus) Above: Turk’s-cap Lily (Lilium superbum) Courtesy of Thomas G. Barnes University of Kentucky, © 2006 A rain garden is not a pond or wetland, as it only holds water for 1 – 2 days after a rainfall event A rain garden is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which need 7 – 12 days in standing water to reproduce. A rain garden is not expensive to construct. It only costs $8 – $12 per square foot and is an excellent method for Less