Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006.jpg" alt="WET FLOWER" class="wp-image-47003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDEN-006-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What&#8217;s that falling out of the sky? Oh it&#8217;s <em>rain</em>. We never would have guessed. Well, if you hadn&#8217;t already noticed, here in the UK, we&#8217;re experiencing warmer, wetter winters and (occasionally) hotter and longer dry spells in summer (thank you climate change &#8211; not) and, as a result, we need to get smart when it comes to our gardens by adjusting how we actually make use of the wet stuff when it&#8217;s there. Hannah Phillips of <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HP Garden Design</a> gave us the lowdown on how to create outside spaces that begin to address climate change in a sustainable way &#8211; and beautiful &#8211; way. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="916" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/headshot.jpg" alt="Hannah Phillips HP Garden Design" class="wp-image-47010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/headshot.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/headshot-300x275.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/headshot-768x703.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-you-mean">What do you mean?</h2>



<p>As a nation we have a rather polar relationship with rain water, with too much in the winter and too little in the summer. We lament both but, aside from the odd water butt here and there but, for most of us, that’s about as far as it usually goes.</p>



<p>Traditional drainage tends to catch and whisk rainwater away from our homes as fast as possible and from thereon in, it&#8217;s out of sight, out of mind. But as some of the gardens at Chelsea Flower Show this year highlighted, we could do with a shift in our attitude towards rain, the way we treat it and see it for the opportunity it is.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-me-more">Tell me more.</h2>



<p>One of the big problems with our current drainage system is the existence of dual sewers &#8211; where the pipes carrying the worst of the waste water from our houses also has to deal with storm water run-off from roofs, patios and the like. In heavy rain they can get overloaded and the resulting outflows into sensitive, natural watercourses and beaches. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-004.jpg" alt="tulips in the rain" class="wp-image-46996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-004.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-004-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-004-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There are a few reasons why this is an issue that is not going away any time soon:</p>



<p>• Increased development means fewer permeable surfaces (where water can filter back into the ground).</p>



<p>• Climate change means extreme rain events (intense, heavy downpours) do, and will increasingly, occur more frequently.</p>



<p>• Lack of investment in upgrading our, in part, Victorian sewers and drains. Approximately a fifth of the UK&#8217;s sewer network &#8211; that&#8217;s 100,00km of it is still dual sewer pipe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-i-do-about-it">What can I do about it?</h2>



<p>Create a Rain Garden. A what now? Rain Gardens are planting areas, typically created in a shallow, dipped area of ground with the capacity to capture run off from nearby surfaces like paving, roofs and patios which allow go slowly back into the surrounding ground.</p>



<p>As well as reducing the volume (and importantly, speed) of the run off produced, this replenishes the local sub soil, making the planting within more resilient when rain is scarce.</p>



<p>(Did I mention, it also provides additional areas for more, lovely plants!)</p>



<p>You don’t want a pond? No problem. It&#8217;s not all about the soggy bottomed species. Biodiversity can be increased through a fairly wide range of planting that can be accommodated in a Rain Garden depending on the variety of moisture levels it will invariably provide. You can be looking at a range of plants from drought tolerant Mediterranean types all the way through to those that do like to keep their feet wet.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-003.jpg" alt="Rain Gardens flowers" class="wp-image-46998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-003.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-003-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-003-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Additionally, a good mix of species with a range of root depths helps to aerate and give structure to the soil, improving its ability to soak up water. It can also be good for the wildlife too.</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re strapped for garden space but still have a drain pipe you can divert, a Rain Planter is also an option. These are raised containers that catch and slow the outflow from your gutters which can then be released back towards to original drain at a reduced rate and volume.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-case-you-missed-it">In case you missed it</h2>



<p>This year&#8217;s <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/Gardens/2024/flood-re-the-flood-resilient-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flood Re garden at Chelsea</a> (designed by Naomi Slade and Ed Barsley) cleverly highlighted the range of planting and design opportunities a sustainable, flood resilient approach to garden design can provide.</p>



<p>It’s full of examples of how rain water can be managed across a whole space however, this doesn&#8217;t mean the ideas it showcases can&#8217;t be used to lovely effect in other contexts or, as stand alone features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-t-wait">But(t) wait</h2>



<p>As you’d expect, there are a few considerations to be had before you grab a spade and disconnect your drain pipe, including:</p>



<p>• Checking your soil type as this will impact its ability to hold and absorb water</p>



<p>• The size of the area for which you&#8217;re collecting run off vs the space available for a Rain Garden</p>



<p>• Location, location, location: Distance from walls and property and general topography</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-005.jpg" alt="FLOWERS IN THE RAIN ONA TABLE " class="wp-image-47001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-005.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-005-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/06/RAIN-GARDENS-005-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It may be that you’d like a Rain Garden as a stand alone feature or to form part of a ‘chain’ of rain water management elements each, capturing and &#8216;losing&#8217; some of the run off it receives in turn to reduce the amount of water leaving your garden. With a series of features you can begin to build in further diversity and interest and, ultimately, resilience.</p>



<p>In settings such as schools and community spaces, it also present opportunities to create learning or sensory experiences which can provide lots of additional benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-last-drop">The last drop</h2>



<p>It’s easy to take water for granted when it disappears down a pipe as quickly as it appears however, water should be considered and treated as the valuable resource it is. There are so many ways in which we can make more of the water that falls within the average outdoor space and, in doing so, contributing towards more responsible rain water management locally and providing more opportunities for planting and supporting local wildlife.</p>



<p><em>If you&#8217;re looking for advice on starting your own Garden Design or Rain Garden project you can message Hannah at studio@hpgardendesign.co.uk or, visit <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hpgardendesign.co.uk</a> or <a href="https://www.hpgardendesign.co.uk/rainventures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainventures.co.uk</a> to see how she might be able to help.</em></p>


Why rain gardens are making a big splash

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