If you have a drainage problem on your property, a rain garden is a perfect solution for your issues. The garden itself is a depressed area where the landscaping catches and pools the rainwater from rooves, driveways, and street runoff. It allows the water to soak into the ground without causing issues elsewhere on the property.

Technically, you could have that depression in the ground (it’s initially less work), but who wants a boring old spot like that? A rain garden provides beautiful plants that thrive in marshy, wet soil, preventing erosion and usefully soaking up the water with their roots.

So, check out these gorgeous design ideas and see if one of them is right for your outdoor space.

Focus on the Flowers

If you love vibrant colors and sweet blooms, you can specifically design your rain garden with flowers in mind. Many plants do well in a rain garden and provide bold colors and vivid greenery. Think bee balm, black-eyed Susans, and butterfly weed for starters, and expand your imagination from there.

Naturally Watered “Pond”

Grab some pebbles and stones and line that depressed area with them for the beautiful base of a naturally watered pond. Line the gravel “pit” with distinct edging rocks, surround the pool with plants, add a fountain, and voila, a gorgeous solution to your drainage problems!

Dry Stream Bed

One of the trends in landscaping in the last few years has been human-made dry stream beds in our yards. If you position this stream bed appropriately, it can become your rain garden, collecting water in the bed of stones and helping your flowers and plants thrive in rainy seasons. Just be sure to choose plants that do well in less wet settings, as well, for those dry months.

Japanese-Influenced Rain Garden

With a small bridge, a waterfall set up, and this beautiful stream bed, the formerly sloshy ground becomes a vibrant, stunning Japanese-inspired garden space you’ll love spending hours in. Be sure to choose plants that do well in this environment, as well as, the ones that look like they belong in this sort of setup. Lush, tall grasses, azaleas (if kept on the higher sides), and similar will flesh out this idea. And don’t forget the décor pieces to give that Asian vibe.

Manicured Garden Plot

In this case, the edging and stone bed are what make the statement in the rain garden. The water collects in the rock bed, dispersing to the included plants without running off to the rest of the yard. It’s a beautiful, manicured solution for a distinct, more modern look.

Mini Marsh

For a super low-maintenance rain garden consider the mini marsh-style garden like the one shown here. The plants thrive in marshes and swamps, the base is simply soil, with plants helping to prevent erosion around the edges and some pebbles at either end for drainage and aesthetics.

Super Easy Rock Bed Stream

If your driveway area tends to be the sloshiest part of your landscaping, consider this sort of easy rock bed stream. You just need a few simple plants (you can always go crazy with them if you prefer) right at the edge of the driveway, where the rain will collect. It’s a beautiful solution for the problem – and easy to maintain if you choose the right, low-maintenance plants.

Rain Garden for Pollinators

A great way for your rain garden to pull triple duty is by designing it as a pollinators’ paradise. Plant flowers and plants that draw in bees and hummingbirds, pollinating insects, and others like them, and you’ll be helping the environment in multiple ways while enjoying the delights of viewing the flying beauties as they swoop in for some pollen and nectar.

Hidden Rain Garden

Your rain garden doesn’t have to be obvious. If you edge the depression properly and fill it with lush, full plants, you’ll find that the rain garden is beautiful and “hidden” as if it weren’t even there. This design is best for folks who aren’t so keen on seeing the soil exposed.

Zoned Rain Garden

For a more precise project, you can plot out your space carefully with zones for the varying plant species you want to keep in your rain garden. Consider the design by this group that helps you map out your exact planting needs.

Rugged Large Rain Garden

If you have lots of space or your garden space is primarily swampy/marshy, you may need to design your space similar to this rugged space in Brooklyn. The stunning space is plotted out with the careful placement of plants, rocks, and décor for the perfect balance.

Your Beautiful Rain Garden

Your rain garden is waiting! Choose one of the stunning designs above, or let them inspire you to explore your imagination further. Take elements from your favorite designs to create the perfect layout for your garden. Maybe a dry stream bed with a pond at the end or a pollinator-heavy design that hides the water bowl. Whatever you choose, the primary focus will be the right plants that will do well in the setup you’ve created.