Project Overview
Boulder Recycling invited us to transform 2,500 square feet of turf into a demonstration rain garden designed to educate, inspire, and support Colorado’s native ecosystems. Located outside the Boulder County Recycling Center, this garden showcases how thoughtful landscape design can provide ecological, educational, and aesthetic value all at once.
Our installation features over 200 carefully selected plants, emphasizing native and well-adapted species that thrive with minimal water while providing significant habitat and food sources for pollinators, butterflies, and birds. The result is a low-maintenance, ecologically rich garden that celebrates Colorado’s natural heritage.
Design & Planting Highlights
Native, pollinator-focused palette
88% Native Colorado Plants
12% Well-Adapted Non-Natives
95% Butterfly Support – 36+ species
97% Pollinator & Native Bee Support – 37+ species
90% Xeric/Drought-Tolerant Plants – 190+ plants
84% Bird Food & Habitat – 32+ species
This composition ensures that the garden provides critical ecosystem services, supporting two-thirds of the local food web while remaining vibrant, layered, and visually engaging throughout the seasons.
Educational and demonstration value
The garden’s high-visibility location at the Recycling Center makes it a living classroom for visitors of all ages. The mix of plants demonstrates practical strategies for water-wise, pollinator-friendly landscaping while showing how native and adapted species can flourish together.
Result — A Living Example of Ecological Design
This rain garden demonstrates how a thoughtful, science-backed approach to landscaping can support pollinators, butterflies, and birds, while also serving as a beautiful, low-maintenance public space. It embodies the principles of ecologically responsible design: functional, educational, and visually striking, proving that even small-scale projects can have a large impact on the local ecosystem. We are excited for the grand opening in Summer 2026!
