Garden Art- Rain Chains

Successfully bringing art into the garden is a delicate balance, finding the right proportion of plants to decoration.

Wherever your balance lies, objects that are both utilitarian and attractive are a good starting point. Familiar examples include garden benches and other seating, bird feeders, bird baths and rain gauges.

Rain chains are a relatively new trend in the US, and I’ve decided to add one to my garden.

They have long been used in Japanese gardens and temples as a method to collect rainfall from the roofs of buildings. Bringing sound and motion to the garden space, the rain chain is a dynamic sculpture helping to create a sense of peace and tranquility.

A decorative alternative to the traditional gutter downspout, in its most basic form, it is simply a link chain that uses the surface tension of water to guide the stream of rain from the gutter to the ground. As a garden ornament, the chain is often made of a series of cups, linked together so that water funnels from the bottom of the first to the next. The cups can be quite ornamental, in various geometric shapes, and, of course, flowers.

Best quality chains are made of solid copper and last for many years. Standard length should be at least eight feet, to ensure that it reaches from the gutter nearly to the ground on a single story home.

Like a traditional downspout, you’ll need to do something with the water once it’s been channeled to the ground. A splash block will work, but aesthetically, a grouping of decorative river stones is better. Consider placing a waterproof liner beneath the stones to direct the water to a rain garden, water garden or simply away from the building’s foundation.

Rain chains can also guide roof runoff to a rain barrels. In this scenario, you won’t need to full eight foot chain length, but it is possible to separate it into two sections and feed two barrels. A decorative container can also be used to capture rainwater for other uses, but you may need to use controls to prevent mosquito breeding in standing water.  

Installation is fast and easy. The chain starts with a v-shaped open link, which will rest across the opening in the gutter, and provide a place to hook the chain after you’ve removed the downspout.  To work properly, the chain must hang straight down, not follow an angled path.  If you don’t have gutters on your roof, you’ll need to devise another method to channel the water to feed your chain.

When considering a rain chain for my garden, I was concerned about its ability to endure our winter conditions. I wanted something I could enjoy year-round.

To reinforce the gutter and help support the weight of winter’s ice, most sources recommend using a gutter installer or reducer—a copper flange that rests in the standard gutter opening and narrows it to a smaller one more in line with the width of the cups in the chain. With this added step, the chains may be left in place through the ice and snow, and can become a dramatic ice sculpture as the copper skeleton becomes encased in ice. You may also knock off any heavy ice buildup if it causes concern.

I ordered my rain chain online, from www.rainchainsdirect.com and was pleased with the quality and selection. The website includes videos of the product in action, detailed information and suggestions for getting the most from your rain chain.  

I am optimistic that it will do well through our snowy winter and the icicle accumulation of thaws. Some of the icy art that formed on the  chain so far will be seen in the photo page.