Rain Garden

An increase in extreme rainfall events that cause issues such as flooding and waterlogged beds, along with heat stress and lack of moisture during droughts, may result in a loss of plants. A rain garden offers solutions to these isssues; they can include planting that copes with both stormwater surges and drought. The planting helps soak up rainfall to reduce the amount of water going into the sewerage system, reducing flood risk. Having plants that thrive in these conditions that are selected for being rich in nectar and pollen or that offer habitat for wildlife will contribute to increasing biodiversity net gain. Water storage solutions offer a way of providing plants with water during droughts and features such as ponds provide essential resources to wildlife.

This is a second year theoretical project taken place while studing a degree in Horticulture with Garden and Landscape Design. A rain garden has been designed at the entrance of a hotel in Bodmin, featuring a glass plane waterwall element, a swale, a green roof, and a pond. Rainfall on the hotel roof feeds into the rain garden, reducing pressure on the sewerage systems. This design stands as a leading example in which others could follow to reduce the pressures that increase rainfall has on urban areas, where permable surfaces and SUDs (Sustainable Urban Drainage) stand to provide solutions to flooding issues.