Honey Horn rain garden comes to life

The Leadership Hilton Head-Bluffton Class of 2010 planted a demonstration rain garden at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn Plantation on March 20, 2010. The planting included a public workshop on rain gardens given by David Joyner of the Clemson University Extension Service, and by Rick Sotiropoulos of Ocean Woods Landscaping. The Leadership Class teamed up with the Coastal Discovery Museum and community partners Ocean Woods Landscaping, Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD), and LowCountry Rain Barrel to make the rain garden a reality. Michael Marks, President & CEO of Coastal Discovery Museum, Russ Charek of LowCountry Rain Barrel, and Mitch Thoreson of the Leadership Class each made remarks prior to the workshop. Attendees at the workshop included: Clemson Master Gardeners from both southern and northern Beaufort County; Joe Short, Ocean Woods Landscaping owner and an alumnus of the Leadership program; and Bob Manne, Hilton Head PSD Commission Chairman. The Leadership Class of 2010 extends its sincerest thanks to all of our partners who helped bring the Honey Horn rain garden to life! The photos below show the rain garden, which is located off the Supervisor's House next to the Discovery House, before, during, and after planting.

The rain garden site before planting.

Clemson Extension Agent David Joyner leads a public workshop on rain gardens prior to planting.

More than 50 people attended the rain garden workshop and had the chance to ask questions about planting their own rain gardens.

The Leadership Class and friends plant the rain garden.

The rain garden a day after planting. This photo shows the 80-gallon rain barrel that will be used to retain and direct water into the rain garden.

The Leadership Class and friends following the planting.