Thames Water Rain Planter
The Thames Water rain planter has been chosen as a solution in your location to 'slow the flow' of rainwater into the drainage system. A rainplanter is an innovative gardening solution designed to harness and efficiently manage rainwater, promoting eco-friendly irrigation for your plants. Its clever design combines sustainable water conservation and helps to provide a habitat for insects.
How do they work?
Rainwater from your roof flows down your downpipe and is redirected into the top of of the rainplanter trays. The rainwater then flows into a water tank where it can stored and used for watering the plants in the rainplanter trays or for use in the garden. When the water tank has reached its full capacity any excess rainwater overflows into the main body of the tank where it drains slowly into the drainage system. These 'slow release' rain planters are used in communities to 'slow the flow' of rainwater flowing into the drainage system.
What are the dimensions?
Width: 60cm
Depth: 40cm
Height: 95cm (37 inches)
Capacity: 216 Litres
Planting Guide
This suggested planting was designed by The Garden Club London who were responsible for the creation of Thames Water sponsored Urban Flow garden at the 2018 RHS Chelsea Flower Show which won a highly prized gold medal as well as best in category. The garden had key messaging around drought, climate change, water efficiency, air quality, biodiversity and sustainable urban development systems called SuDS.
The planting in this display is a mixture of winter, drought tolerant, evergreen plants:
- Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ – an evergreen perennial with a compact, bushy growth habit. Its outstanding feature is the exceptionally dark purple velvety foliage which contrasts strikingly with the large clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom in late winter/early spring.
- Helleborus x hybrids Single White - provide a great source of colour in the winter months. They grow in most conditions, but thrive in well-drained, humus-rich soil, out of direct sunlight.
- Thymus citriodorus ‘Variegata’ - commonly called lemon thyme is primarily grown as a culinary herb for its rich, lemon-scented leaves. It is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils of somewhat low fertility. Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Dislikes moist to wet soils where it tends to rot. It is evergreen in mild winter climates. Harvest leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.
- Thymus serpyllum - a vigorous evergreen mat-forming plant with dark green leaves and clusters of bright rose-purple flowers. One of the best for large groundcover plantings. Also nice in the rock garden, or used in mixed containers and tubs. May be mown in early spring. Easily divided in spring or early fall. Once established it is drought tolerant and attractive to butterflies.
- kimmia ‘Kew Green' - a hardy, dome-shaped evergreen shrub with clusters of greenishwhite flowers. Those flowers are furled into tightly-packed buds, but come spring they burst open and into bloom.
The garden proved hugely popular, winning both gold and best in category. As a result, the garden and its messaging on received a great deal of public and media attention. A similar design was also prepared for the 2019 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.