Plants That Work In The Rain Garden
Salix x., Iris v., Lobelia c.
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Plants That Work In The Rain Garden - Plant By Numbers - Plant Pack is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Plants That Work In The Rain Garden highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
Growing Zones
Manage Rainwater With The Rain Garden By Plant by Number
Have a soggy spot in your yard or runoff from a downspout? The Rain Garden Plant by Number transforms problem areas into beautiful, water-absorbing plantings that benefit your landscape and the environment!
Designed for wet or periodically saturated soil, this 10 by 5 foot layout uses native and adaptive plants to capture and filter stormwater, all while putting on a colorful show from spring through fall!
Created by landscape architect Katie Weber, this Rain Garden design is ideal for areas where water temporarily collects after rain. Instead of fighting nature, it works with it, slowing runoff, recharging the soil, and supporting pollinators. It’s perfect for USDA growing zones 4 to 9 and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
What’s Included in the Rain Garden Plan
This 10-foot by 5-foot layout is perfect for:
- Low areas that collect water
- Swales or natural drainage paths
- Around downspouts or sump pump outlets
- That damp area around your HVAC unit
- Pollinator-friendly wetland edges
The downloadable garden plan includes a detailed layout, spacing guide, and step-by-step planting instructions to make installation easy! Plus, Nature Hills delivers your plants and kit directly to your doorstep!
Whether you're planting near a driveway, at the bottom of a slope, or beside a roof gutter, this plan helps turn your low spot into a high-impact feature!
This rain-hardy lineup includes:
- 2 Willow Bushes for height, vibrant stems, and winter color
- 5 Iris Versicolor (like Blue Flag Iris) for early summer blooms and water filtration
- 7 Cardinal Flower for brilliant red blooms, hummingbird appeal, and tall, late summer color
These plants thrive in wet soil and seasonal standing water, making them excellent choices for eco-friendly water management and native habitat creation. Get ready to enjoy mosquito-eating Dragonflies and watch happy toads and bug-eating frogs move into your garden!
Step by Step: How to Install a Plant by Number Garden
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Pick Your Plan: Download the Rain Garden plan PDF with layout and instructions (included in the kit that arrives from Nature Hills)
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Prep Your Site: Dig a shallow basin or use an existing low spot that collects water
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Lay Out the Design: Follow the diagram to space each plant appropriately
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Dig and Plant: Dig holes twice as wide as the pots and install the plant at grade level
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Water and Mulch: Water after planting and apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of arborist mulch to reduce weeds and help retain moisture between rain events
- Maintain and Enjoy: Follow the included maintenance guide and watch your rain garden flourish
Caring for and Maintaining Your Rain Garden
This plan is filled with water-loving plants that thrive in wet soils and bounce back from periodic drying.
- Water during dry spells in the first year using the Finger Test
- Reapply arborist mulch each spring to improve soil and retain moisture
- Cut back Willow shrubs in early spring to encourage fresh, colorful stems
- Deadhead Cardinal Flower to prolong bloom or allow to self-seed for natural spreading
- Divide Iris every 3 to 4 years to maintain healthy growth and bloom
- Remove debris from the basin in early spring to improve drainage and plant health
Beauty With a Purpose
The Rain Garden by Plant by Number helps solve stormwater issues while adding bold seasonal color and attracting wildlife. Blue Flag Iris and Cardinal Flower support pollinators and hummingbirds, while the Willows bring structure and winter interest. It’s more than a garden, it’s a habitat, a solution, and a showpiece all in one compact, easy-to-install space!
Order your Rain Garden plan today and turn a wet problem spot into a water-loving garden full of life and color. Nature Hills will deliver your plants and the kit directly to your doorstep!
