16. Pacific Northwest Rain Garden
A rain garden is a shallow, depressional landscape feature designed to capture, absorb, and filter stormwater runoff from roofs and driveways. In regions with heavy seasonal rainfall like the Pacific Northwest, rain gardens prevent localized flooding and soil erosion while looking effortlessly natural and beautiful.
Utilize moisture-tolerant native plants such as Siberian iris, red osier dogwood, rush grasses, and sword ferns planted along river rock swales. The dry creek bed design directs water flow naturally during heavy storms, functioning as a beautiful dry rock riverbed during dry summer months.