Rain Garden

Creating a Rain Garden Using Native Plants

Rain gardens are an excellent way to manage stormwater runoff while supporting local ecosystems. By using native plants, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives in Fort Bend County’s climate. Here’s how to create your own native plant rain garden:

Courtesy The Nature Conservancy
Rain Garden in Armand Bayou Nature Center
Rain Garden in Armand Bayou Nature Center, photo from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Choosing a Location

Select a spot at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation where water naturally collects or can be directed. The area should have well-draining soil and receive full to partial sun.

Preparing the Site

  • Mark the garden’s outline, aiming for a kidney or teardrop shape.
  • Dig a depression 6-8 inches deep, with gently sloping sides.
  • Use the excavated soil to create a berm on the downhill side.
  • Test the drainage by filling the area with water. It should drain within 24-48 hours.

Selecting Native Plants

Choose plants adapted to both wet and dry conditions. Here are some excellent native options for Fort Bend County rain gardens:

Trees and Shrubs

  • Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
  • American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
  • Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
  • Buttonbush (Cephanlanus occidentalis)

Grasses and Sedges

  • nland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
  • Gulf Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
  • Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)
  • Cherokee Sedge (Carex cherokeensis)

Flowering Perennials

  • Halberd-leaved Hibiscus (Hibiscus laevis)
  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
  • Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
  • Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
  • Turkey Tangle Frogfruit (Phyda nodiflora)
Buttonbush
Buttonbush (Cephanlanus occidentalis), photo by Lucy Randel
Halberd-leaved Hibiscus
Halberd-leaved Hibiscus (Hibiscus laevis), photo by Kerry Padilla
Turkey Tangle Frog Fruit
Turkey Tangle Frog Fruit (Phyda nodiflora), photo by Hoiman Low
Aquatic Milkweed
Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis), photo by Pauline Zinn

Buy Native Plants Locally

Choosing locally sourced native plants is important because they are best adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.

Planting Your Rain Garden

  1. Arrange plants according to their moisture needs, with the most water-tolerant species in the center.
  2. Space plants based on their mature sizes.
  3. Plant in groups of odd numbers for a natural look.
  4. Water deeply after planting and during the first growing season.

Maintenance Tips

  • Apply a 2-3 inch layer of native mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Water during extended dry periods for the first year.
  • Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides, as native plants typically don’t require them.
  • Cut back dead foliage in late winter to encourage new growth.

By creating a rain garden with native plants, you’re not only managing stormwater but also providing valuable habitat for local wildlife, including pollinators and birds. Your rain garden will be a beautiful, eco-friendly addition to your Fort Bend County landscape.

Stormwater Management: Rain Gardens  free publication available for download