Annville Free Library Rain Garden

Where water is purified, and where birds, bees, and butterflies come to feast.

The library’s land development plan required a stormwater management system. The rain garden is part of that plan. Water runoff from the library’s roof and gutters channels to the garden, slowly filters through the ground and returns to the Quittapahilla Watershed, Swatara Creek, the Susquehanna River, and other tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. A Pennsylvania American Water Environmental Grant funds plants for the rain garden.

Below is a rendering of the initial vision for the rain garden.

Here is an updated map of the current plants in the rain garden:

 

From rubble to rain garden

Pictured below is the site of the rain garden as expansion of the library began in 2022. The site included a shed, an old sidewalk, and trees and plants that required removal to prepare for construction of the addition. Many perennial plants were sold or given to community members.

Below is a photo of the rain garden today. What a difference! The garden is filled with native plants and grasses that serve as water filters.

Trees and Bees

We are grateful to Work of Art landscaping and Master Gardener Jeff Beidler for beautifying and enriching the site for birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Plant selections are based on each plant’s growing preference. Plants preferring moist roots thrive in the bottom of the garden while plants preferring moderately moist or dry conditions thrive beyond the rim of the garden’s basin.

Below is a map of the rain garden with plants identified.

 

 

The Annville Free Library is excited to play a part in stewarding our planet!

We hope you enjoy spending time in our garden.

For more information about rain gardens and how you might make one of your own, visit:
An Introduction to Rain Gardens (psu.edu)