The 8 Best Plants For A Rain Garden

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica):

A semi-evergreen shrub that grows along stream banks, making it ideal for rain gardens. With arching branches and showy white flowers in early summer, this plant can reach up to 8 feet tall and is loved by bees.

Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum):

Also known as wild ageratum, this perennial grows 3 feet high and features short-stemmed clusters of bright blue flowers. Bees and butterflies are attracted to this plant, which can spread rapidly as a groundcover.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea):

With long-lasting purple-lavender flowers and domed centers, coneflower is an easy-to-grow perennial that reaches up to 4 feet tall. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and thrives in sun to part shade.

Stoke s Aster (Stokesia laevis):

Reaching 2 feet tall, Stoke s aster produces bluish-purple, white, or pink flowers from spring to fall. Deadheading after blooms fade encourages continuous flowering, making it a lovely addition to any garden.

Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris):

The pink plumes of muhly grass add late-season color to the garden, growing up to 4 feet tall. Best planted in masses, this long-lived grass is pest-resistant and thrives in sun to part shade.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata):

This slow-growing shrub or small tree bears pretty red berries in the fall, providing winter interest. It's a food source for various wildlife, but make sure to have both male and female plants for cross-pollination.

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia):

With fragrant white flowers, this shrub reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and prefers moist soil and part shade. Summersweet attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding beauty to any garden.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis):

Featuring bright red flowers, cardinal flower blooms profusely in late summer and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It can reach up to 4 feet tall and prefers consistently moist soil and part shade.