Guard your garden from torrential rain
Severe weather, including the downpour that flooded GTA streets and homes earlier this month, has become a fact of our lives.
Remember last year’s heavy rains and floods on Toronto Islands? What about the massive washout of Finch Ave. and flooding of the Don Valley Parkway during the August 2005 rainstorm?
Your yard provides the perfect opportunity to adapt to the new reality of “more rain, less often.”
Some tactics that can help save the day while improving your garden’s overall performance: Reduce hard surfaces. Ask yourself, do you really need a concrete walkway or an asphalt driveway? Consider the amount of rainwater that flows directly on such surfaces, then into the streets and storm water sewers below.
Green alternatives include toughwearing ground covers like periwinkle ( vinca), lily of the valley ( Convallaria majalis), Baltic or English ivy ( Hedera helix) and Japanese spurge ( Pachysandra terminalis). We used evergreen spurge in the back garden of our previous home where the dog ran free. No amount of abuse from our Rottweiler could damage it. Hollow pavers planted with Irish moss or creeping thyme. Well placed, this arrangement can provide the perfect spot to park a car or table and chairs for a cool lunch. Mulch. A thick five- to six-centimetre layer of finely ground cedar or pine bark mulch will insulate soil from the pounding effects of a rainstorm. Further, all-natural mulch reduces the need for watering by up to 70 per cent and cuts weeding chores by up to 90 per cent.
The miracle of a generous layer of mulch is that there is no downside. As it breaks down, it enhances soil conditions and helps to build a healthy population of earthworms. What’s not to like? Marginal plants. In our profession, much is made of plants that soak up quantities of water and tolerate dry spells, too. Mark has many of these growing near the edge of his pond. We recommend them for use wherever your property dips and collects water during spring runoff or after a heavy downpour. We recommend the following:
Native ferns. There are many to choose from. Look for lady fern ( Athyrium filix-femina) and the famous fiddlehead fern ( Matteuccia struthiopteris) for tough plants that tolerate lots of moisture and periods of dryness.
Queen of the Prairie ( Filipendula rubra). We call this the “candy floss” perennial. It stands almost two metres high, features large, fluffy pink blossoms that make people stand up and notice your garden at this time of year. They are tough, and love to spread.
Perennial hibiscus ( Hibiscus spp.). In bloom now in many sunny gardens. Best known for their large saucershaped flowers. Mark has one standing in water all summer long at the edge of his pond. They’re also suitable for planting in the garden where the soil remains moist after a rainfall.
Bugbane ( Cimicifuga simplex) loves water so much that it tends to be the first plant in Mark’s garden to take a bow in dry conditions. As the leaves wilt, it easily rehydrates and stands up for another week or so of heat and dryness. It stands 1.5 metres tall, with bright yellow flowers.
False goat’s beard ( Astilbe). The flowers — which occur in early to late summer, depending on the variety — lend themselves to cutting and bringing indoors.
With a wide range of brilliant colours to choose from, astilbe is hard to resist. Once it dries out, however, it does not rehydrate well. Keep it out of direct sun or hot spots for this reason.
And finally, to use rainwater, whether it arrives in a flood or a drizzle, place rain barrels at the base of your downspouts. Rainwater is charged with oxygen, and is warm and soft, and plants not only love it but respond better to rainwater than cold, hard tap water. Now you know.