Lower Macungie Township in Wescosville in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

What Is A Rain Garden?

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 21, 2024

1. What Is A Rain Garden? Marker

Inscription.

What Is A Rain Garden?. . , While viewing a rain garden, a person only sees what is on the surface; a revolving seasonal display of both vibrant and subtle seasonal colors, as well as an assortment of leafy textures. This particular rain garden utilizes a combination of native and naturalized ornamental plant species, including trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and groundcovers to achieve an aesthetically pleasing "surface." The addition of trees within the rain garden cools the temperature of the water and reduces the likelihood for thermal pollution. The rain garden also provides food and habitat to many different types of wildlife., What a person cannot witness is what is actually happening below the surface of a rain garden. The function and intent of a rain garden are to capture the initial flow of storm water run-off from adjacent parking lots, sidewalks, roofs and other hard surfaces. The rain garden allows the storm water to infiltrate, or slowly move through soil layers and plant root systems so pollutants can be absorbed, retained, and taken out of the storm water. The storm water is then infiltrated into the soil as "clean" ground water or released into the storm water drainage system, eventually making its way to a nearby stream or river., Can You Find These Plants?. Paw Paw Tree ,

Botanical Name: Asimina triloba , Growth and Habitat: Small pyramidal tree growing to approximately thirty-five feethigh , Native Habitat: Native to Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States , Flower: Produces one to two inch maroon flowers in the spring , Fruit: Large edible yellow-green to brown mango-shaped berries, up to six inches long , Interesting Facts: The inner bark of the Paw Paw tree was used by the Native American Indians and nearby early settlers to make ropes, fishing nets, and mats. George Washington's favorite dessert was chilled Paw Paw fruit. Thomas Jefferson planted these trees at his home, Monticello, located in Virginia. The Paw Paw tree is considered to be an endangered species in the State of New Jersey and threatened in New York State.

, Swamp Rose ,

Botanical Name: Rosa palustris , Growth and Habit: Small flowering shrub with arching branches reaching five to eight feet in height , Native Habitat: Found in the eastern regions of North America growing naturally along streambanks, bogs, and swamps , Flower: Displays fragrant rose-pink flowers in June, July, and August. The flowers provide nectar for native bees and butterflies , Fruit: The red rose hip fruit is consumed by birds and other wildlife , Interesting Facts: The arched branching habit offers wildlife a place to nest and seek coverage.

, Blue Flag Iris ,

Botanical Name: Iris versicolor , Growth and Habit: Grows to approximately two to three feet tall with green sword-like leaves, and thrives in sunny locations in wet to average soil, Native Habitat: A perennial native to the Northeastern United States , Flower: Showy deep blue or purple flowers blooming on top of the sword-like leaves , Interesting Facts: The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other native pollinators.

, Beneficial Wildlife. Hummingbirds . Dragonflies . Bees . Butterflies

While viewing a rain garden, a person only sees what is on the surface; a revolving seasonal display of both vibrant and subtle seasonal colors, as well as an assortment of leafy textures. This particular rain garden utilizes a combination of native and naturalized ornamental plant species, including trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and groundcovers to achieve an aesthetically pleasing "surface." The addition of trees within the rain garden cools the temperature of the water and reduces the likelihood for thermal pollution. The rain garden also provides food and habitat to many different types of wildlife.

What a person cannot witness is what is actually happening below the surface of a rain garden. The function and intent of a rain garden are to capture the initial flow of storm water run-off from adjacent parking lots, sidewalks, roofs and other hard surfaces. The rain garden allows the storm water to infiltrate, or slowly move through soil layers and plant root systems so pollutants can be absorbed, retained, and taken out of the storm water. The storm water is then infiltrated into the soil as "clean" ground water or released into the storm water drainage system, eventually making its way to a nearby stream or river.

Can You Find These Plants? Paw Paw Tree

Botanical
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
Name: Asimina triloba
Growth and Habitat: Small pyramidal tree growing to approximately thirty-five feethigh
Native Habitat: Native to Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States
Flower: Produces one to two inch maroon flowers in the spring
Fruit: Large edible yellow-green to brown mango-shaped berries, up to six inches long
Interesting Facts: The inner bark of the Paw Paw tree was used by the Native American Indians and nearby early settlers to make ropes, fishing nets, and mats. George Washington's favorite dessert was chilled Paw Paw fruit. Thomas Jefferson planted these trees at his home, Monticello, located in Virginia. The Paw Paw tree is considered to be an endangered species in the State of New Jersey and threatened in New York State.

Swamp Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa palustris
Growth and Habit: Small flowering shrub with arching branches reaching five to eight feet in height
Native Habitat: Found in the eastern regions of North America growing naturally along streambanks, bogs, and swamps
Flower: Displays fragrant rose-pink flowers in June, July, and August. The flowers provide nectar for native bees and butterflies
Fruit: The red rose hip fruit is consumed by birds and other
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 21, 2024

2. What Is A Rain Garden? Marker
wildlife
Interesting Facts: The arched branching habit offers wildlife a place to nest and seek coverage.

Blue Flag Iris

Botanical Name: Iris versicolor
Growth and Habit: Grows to approximately two to three feet tall with green sword-like leaves, and thrives in sunny locations in wet to average soil

Native Habitat: A perennial native to the Northeastern United States
Flower: Showy deep blue or purple flowers blooming on top of the sword-like leaves
Interesting Facts: The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other native pollinators.

Beneficial Wildlife Hummingbirds • Dragonflies • Bees • Butterflies

Erected by TCH Development; The Goldenberg Group. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Pennsylvania, Lower Macungie Township Historic Walking Trail series lists.

Location. 40° 34.02′ N, 75°

Paid Advertisement

33.385′ W. Marker is in Wescosville, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is in Lower Macungie Township. It can be reached from Hamilton Boulevard west of Brookside Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands on the grounds of Wescosville Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Allentown PA 18106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Lehigh Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Log Haus (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First People (about 500 feet away); Early Settlers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Roads & Highways (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Mining Industry (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Farming Community (approx. 0.3 miles away); Business & Industry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barns, Decorative Art & Music (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wescosville.

Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This sign is included in the Database for two reasons:
1. It is part of the Lower Macungie Township Historic Walking Trail.
2. The interesting facts for the Paw Paw Tree section includes historical context for the tree and its fruit.

— Submitted July 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.