Hilton Rain Garden
Hilton Rain Garden The site of the Hilton Rain Garden was chosen for its proximity to the 6,000 square foot area of the Hilton Library parking lot and part of its roof. In an average year, approximately 170,000 gallons of rain falls on this surface, and approximately 160,000 gallons will filter through the garden into underground aquifers.
Rain Garden Design
Rain Garden Soil
A Rain Garden can fit almost any area that has access to stormwater run-off. It should be located between impervious surfaces, get adequate sunlight, be at an elevation lower than the runoff source and have an outlet area for excess water.
Roof
A residential Rain Garden can be placed in a backyard near a downspout. Even a small garden will purify the runoff that is captured.
Two types of amendments that may need to be needed for the soil are: soil quality amendments (compost) that improve growing conditions for plants; and soil texture amendments (coarse sand) that improve permeability. Clay soils absorb water slowly and need both texture and quality amendments to improve growing conditions. Sandy soils are the most permeable but need soil quality amendments. Ideal Rain Garden soils are sandy loam and absorb stormwater completely within the first 24 hours. 6” DEEP RAIN GARDEN - NO SOIL AMENDMENTS NEEDED
Hilton Rain Garden Plants
PLACE A RAIN GARDEN BETWEEN IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
6”
The buffer area is planted with plants that can tolerate dry
BASE (Shallow Depression)
2”
MULCH NATIVE SOIL
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF RUNOFF ENTERING STORM SYSTEMS
conditions. They include Red Twig Dogwood, Winterberry Holly,
Illustrations courtesy of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Water Resources Program, the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and the Township of Maplewood, Minnesota.
3” DEEP RAIN GARDEN - SOIL AMENDMENTS
New England Aster, Coneflower,
Road
Switch Grass, Black-Eyed Susan
9”
and Perennial Geranium.
4”
BASE (Shallow Depression)
2”
MULCH
3”
On the lower slope, where the
Rain Garden Size
water might rise during heavy
A typical Rain Garden is 6-9 inches deep and about twice as long as it is wide. The size of the garden is determined by two factors: the area of the surface that will drain into the garden and the soil quality at the site.
rains, are False Sunflower, Sweet Pepperbush, St. John’s Wort, Reed Grasses, Tickseed, Joe-Pye Weed and Gayfeather. Plants in the base, an area with
The volume of runoff entering the Rain Garden can be estimated using the drainage surface area and available average rainfall data. A percolation test at the site will establish how quickly the stormwater will be absorbed. These two calculations will help determine the size and depth of the garden, as well as what soil amendments might be necessary.
the most moisture, are expected to mass over time and include Royal Fern, Sensitive Fern, Blue Flag Iris, Sweetflag, Sedge, Goldenrod, Turtlehead, Rose Mallow, Red Cardinal Flower, Blue Lobelia and Meadow Mint.
Look around the Hilton Rain Garden! The Hilton Rain Garden is deeper than most rain gardens because the lawn is higher than the lowest point of the parking lot.
4”
A stone-lined swale directs runoff from the asphalt. River rocks continue the sense of a riverbed to two groupings of feature boulders.
Ornamental grasses and shrubs provide vertical interest and flowering perennials are spaced generously to allow for future growth and spread.
The garden is planted with about 150 plants and shrubs that offer a variety of color and texture throughout the seasons.
The perimeter railing delineates the Rain Garden within the lawn area and keeps very young children safe.
COURSE SAND + COMPOST MIXTURE NATIVE SOIL
Rain Garden Landscaping Choose plants with varied bloom times to create garden interest throughout the growing season. Feature rocks, grasses and evergreens add color and texture in the colder months. A 2” layer of triple-shredded hardwood mulch with no dye should be spread around plants and throughout the entire garden after planting. Native hardy perennials with well-established root systems will thrive without a lot of extra care, extra water, fertilizer or pesticides. Native plants also provide food and a habitat for beneficial wildlife and pollinators. To find out how to build your own Rain Garden a brochure is available from the Maplewood Libraries or via the Maplewood Garden Club website: maplewoodgardenclub.org The Hilton Rain Garden was made possible by a generous grant from NJ American Water Co. and by the active participation of the Maplewood Garden Club and Maplewood Township.
Rain Garden Design
Rain Garden Soil
A Rain Garden can fit almost any area that has access to stormwater run-off. It should be located between impervious surfaces, get adequate sunlight, be at an elevation lower than the runoff source and have an outlet area for excess water.
Roof
A residential Rain Garden can be placed in a backyard near a downspout. Even a small garden will purify the runoff that is captured.
Two types of amendments that may need to be needed for the soil are: soil quality amendments (compost) that improve growing conditions for plants; and soil texture amendments (coarse sand) that improve permeability. Clay soils absorb water slowly and need both texture and quality amendments to improve growing conditions. Sandy soils are the most permeable but need soil quality amendments. Ideal Rain Garden soils are sandy loam and absorb stormwater completely within the first 24 hours. 6” DEEP RAIN GARDEN - NO SOIL AMENDMENTS NEEDED
Hilton Rain Garden Plants
PLACE A RAIN GARDEN BETWEEN IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
6”
The buffer area is planted with plants that can tolerate dry
BASE (Shallow Depression)
2”
MULCH NATIVE SOIL
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF RUNOFF ENTERING STORM SYSTEMS
conditions. They include Red Twig Dogwood, Winterberry Holly,
Illustrations courtesy of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Water Resources Program, the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and the Township of Maplewood, Minnesota.
3” DEEP RAIN GARDEN - SOIL AMENDMENTS
New England Aster, Coneflower,
Road
Switch Grass, Black-Eyed Susan
9”
and Perennial Geranium.
4”
BASE (Shallow Depression)
2”
MULCH
3”
On the lower slope, where the
Rain Garden Size
water might rise during heavy
A typical Rain Garden is 6-9 inches deep and about twice as long as it is wide. The size of the garden is determined by two factors: the area of the surface that will drain into the garden and the soil quality at the site.
rains, are False Sunflower, Sweet Pepperbush, St. John’s Wort, Reed Grasses, Tickseed, Joe-Pye Weed and Gayfeather. Plants in the base, an area with
The volume of runoff entering the Rain Garden can be estimated using the drainage surface area and available average rainfall data. A percolation test at the site will establish how quickly the stormwater will be absorbed. These two calculations will help determine the size and depth of the garden, as well as what soil amendments might be necessary.
the most moisture, are expected to mass over time and include Royal Fern, Sensitive Fern, Blue Flag Iris, Sweetflag, Sedge, Goldenrod, Turtlehead, Rose Mallow, Red Cardinal Flower, Blue Lobelia and Meadow Mint.
Look around the Hilton Rain Garden! The Hilton Rain Garden is deeper than most rain gardens because the lawn is higher than the lowest point of the parking lot.
4”
A stone-lined swale directs runoff from the asphalt. River rocks continue the sense of a riverbed to two groupings of feature boulders.
Ornamental grasses and shrubs provide vertical interest and flowering perennials are spaced generously to allow for future growth and spread.
The garden is planted with about 150 plants and shrubs that offer a variety of color and texture throughout the seasons.
The perimeter railing delineates the Rain Garden within the lawn area and keeps very young children safe.
COURSE SAND + COMPOST MIXTURE NATIVE SOIL
Rain Garden Landscaping Choose plants with varied bloom times to create garden interest throughout the growing season. Feature rocks, grasses and evergreens add color and texture in the colder months. A 2” layer of triple-shredded hardwood mulch with no dye should be spread around plants and throughout the entire garden after planting. Native hardy perennials with well-established root systems will thrive without a lot of extra care, extra water, fertilizer or pesticides. Native plants also provide food and a habitat for beneficial wildlife and pollinators. To find out how to build your own Rain Garden a brochure is available from the Maplewood Libraries or via the Maplewood Garden Club website: maplewoodgardenclub.org The Hilton Rain Garden was made possible by a generous grant from NJ American Water Co. and by the active participation of the Maplewood Garden Club and Maplewood Township.
