How an Orleans Rain Garden Aced the Rain Ready Challenge
When we design a landscape, we aren’t just looking to create something beautiful. We want to create a living, functioning ecosystem.
Following a massive Canada Day downpour, Jeff stopped by one of our residential project sites in Orleans to see how a rain garden we installed last season was holding up. The homeowner greeted him with the best possible news: there was zero overflow spilling out of the garden.
Stormwater rushing off the roof was successfully captured, slowed down, and filtered directly back into the ground. Here is a look behind the scenes of how this build works.
Removing River Rock
When we first looked at this specific area of the yard, it was built up 6 inches with standard river rock. Our crew stripped away the river rock and excavated the basin down 18 inches. By lowering the grade and re-routing the roof downspout directly into the garden, we created a functional catchment area designed to handle heavy rainfall events without pooling against the home's foundation or flooding the lawn.
Built for Wet & Dry Cycles
Rain gardens require unique native plants that can handle sitting in a few inches of water during a storm, but are equally resilient during dry spells. For this Orleans space, we curated a powerhouse lineup of local species:
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): A gorgeous host plant for Monarch butterflies that thrives in moist soils.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum): A late-summer pollinator magnet with stunning pink-purple blooms.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Known for its bright red spikes that are a favourite for local hummingbirds.
Side-Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula): A structural native grass that adds root depth to stabilize soil.
Money Back to Protect the Watershed
Beyond the ecological wins, this project came with a financial bonus. Because our team is certified through the Fusion Landscape Professional (FLP) program, this entire design and installation qualified for the City of Ottawa’s Rain Ready rebate.
This program offers eligible homeowners some money back for installing smart water features like rain gardens, soakaway pits, and permeable paving. It’s a fantastic initiative that makes upgrading your yard a win for both the environment and your wallet.
The Ripple Effect
A well-designed rain garden keeps water out of the overloaded city storm sewers, builds up the local water table, and acts as a massive sanctuary for urban wildlife. The homeowner mentioned she’s already seeing a spike in bird and insect activity, and will be sending us some action shots of the new visitors soon.
Want to know how to make your yard rain-ready? If you are located in the Ottawa area and want to explore how a custom rain garden or native planting plan can transform your green space, book at the link below!
