Ideas for a Rain Garden in Missouri

Shrubs

• Depending on the size of the rain garden, you will find a number of suitable shrubs. Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and tolerant of moist to average soil. Sweet pepperbush grows about 8 feet tall and wide and brings fragrant, white or pink flowers and glossy green leaves to summer's landscape. To attract birds, consider black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa): pretty white spring blossoms are followed with black fruit that birds adore. The shrub is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8 and grows about 3 to 6 feet tall.

Perennials

• The red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a showy addition to Missouri rain gardens. A North American native, it is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and blooms in summer, sending up spikes of brilliant red flowers. Cardinal flower grows 2 to 4 feet tall and thrives in medium to wet soil in sun or part shade. Closer to the ground, native wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, it flourished in full sun to partial shade and displays lavender-pink flowers in spring. Wild geranium naturalizes readily, growing 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall.

Grasses

• Native to Missouri and the central United States, tussock sedge (Carex stricta) is a clump-forming grass that spreads by underground rhizomes. Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, the sedge is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. Narrow, grass-like leaves are accented in spring by spikes of reddish brown flowers. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, is another clump-forming grass that provides three seasons of interest in Missouri rain gardens. New growth is tinged with blue at the clump bases. Foliage turns purple-bronze in fall and silver seed heads persist in winter.

Considerations

• When choosing plants for a Missouri rain garden, consider whether the plantings will be in sun or shade. Some rain gardens are in low-lying basins and should be stocked with plants that have a high tolerance for wet sites. Other rain gardens may be on slopes and require plants that can tolerate medium to dry soil. When designing the gardens, make sure that planting areas are level and that the gardens are bounded by grassy berms -- with appropriately placed openings for admission of run-off water -- so that water will be retained.