What is the purpose of a rain garden?

A rain garden serves the primary purpose of managing stormwater runoff. These specially designed gardens are strategically placed to capture and absorb excess rainwater from impervious surfaces, such as driveways and rooftops. The design includes native plants and soil that can filter, slow down, and absorb rainwater, effectively reducing the risk of flooding and further erosion. This absorption process helps replenish groundwater supplies while filtering out pollutants that would otherwise enter storm drains and water bodies.

While decorative water features and habitats for aquatic species can indeed add beneficial elements to a landscape, they do not focus specifically on controlling and managing runoff like a rain garden does. Promoting plant diseases is contrary to the goal of a rain garden, as it functions to create a healthy environment for plant growth, thereby supporting biodiversity and ecological health.