If it feels like your backyard has turned into a swamp this summer, you’re not alone — but some North Carolinians are finding a silver lining in all this rain. As the skies keep opening up, so do new opportunities to dig into a different kind of gardening. A new national study finds that several cities across the Tar Heel State — from Wilmington to Asheville — are among the best places in the country to build rain gardens, turning runoff into resilience and puddles into pollinator havens.
Lawn Love ranked the top 500 cities in the nation for rain gardens, with 10 of North Carolina’s cities making the list. Wilmington ranked highest at No. 8, and High Point ranked lowest at No. 175.
“Rain gardens are shallow, planted depressions filled with native vegetation that spring to life after a rain,” Kimberly Magerl, study stories editor for Lawn Love, told the Carolina Journal. “By capturing runoff where it falls, rain gardens filter out many pollutants before they reach rivers and streams. For places like Wilmington, North Carolina, ranked 8th, represent a practical opportunity to manage runoff, improve water quality, and support pollinators and other wildlife.”
The study ranks the cities based on monthly precipitation, supply access, public interest, and groundwater pollution risk.
In addition to Wilmington, two other cities rank in the top 50: Asheville at No. 39 and Raleigh at No. 43. Two more cities rank in the top 100: Durham at No. 70 and Greenville at No. 76. The remaining five cities rank in the top 200: Cary at No. 136, Gastonia at No. 145, Charlotte at No. 146, Winston-Salem at No. 171, and High Point at No. 175.
Raleigh, Wilmington, and Asheville, some of the state’s most prominent cities, all rank in the top 50, except for Charlotte. North Carolina cities average between 3.6 and 2.8 inches of rain monthly, with Wilmington averaging 5 inches.
Charlotte and Raleigh provide some of the best supply access in the state, primarily due to their larger metro populations and well-established landscaping industries, making them leaders in availability across North Carolina, according to the study. Meanwhile, Raleigh and Asheville stand out for their strong overall rankings and lead the state in Google search interest related to rain gardens.
According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, rain gardens offer a host of environmental and practical benefits. By placing a shallow, planted depression in strategic locations—such as alongside your driveway, beneath a downspout, or near a lawn—rain gardens capture and absorb stormwater runoff that would otherwise flow into streets, gutters, and streams. As the water filters through the native soil and vegetation, harmful pollutants like sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus are naturally removed. This helps improve local water quality and recharge groundwater, while at the same time reducing the likelihood of flooding during heavy downpours—a win for both your yard and the watershed. Plus, these gardens create vibrant habitats that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity, adding year-round beauty to your landscape.
If you’re interested in building one, here’s a basic roadmap, says NC Cooperative Extension:
- Pick your spot carefully – Choose a place where runoff converges (e.g., under a gutter or at the bottom of a slope), at least 10 feet from your house foundation, and not in persistently soggy areas.
- Dig to the right depth and size – Rain gardens should sit about 4–8 inches below surrounding grade and cover roughly 150–300 square feet for a typical residence, adjusting based on the size of your roof or driveway.
- Layer the soil and plants properly – Use a mix of sand, compost, and topsoil for optimal drainage. Plant a mix of native perennials, shrubs, and grasses that tolerate both wet and dry spells, with deep roots that pump water into the soil and support microbial filtration.
- Ensure good drainage – The garden should drain within three days; if not, either choose a new site or add an underdrain or gravel-filled trench to improve percolation.
- Maintain it regularly – For at least five years (10 for some properties), remove weeds and sediment, replenish mulch, and check that water flows and drains as intended.
The City of Raleigh recommends key plants for North Carolina gardeners interested in rain garden, including Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Bee Balm, Black-Eyed Susan, and Southern Blue Flag.
With just a little planning and care, a rain garden transforms heavy rain into an asset that beautifies your landscape while managing stormwater more effectively.
The post Summer showers: North Carolina cities flourish in 2025 ‘rain garden’ rankings first appeared on Carolina Journal.