Round 1 Results
Round 2 Results
Round 3 Results
Final Results
To mark the sixth year of our competitive native plant tournament, we invite you to get ready for…
RAIN…GARDEN…RUMMBBLLLEEEEEEE!!!!
Our Rain Garden Rumble tournament takes an educational spin on a sports classic, teaching people about native plants, their benefits, and how to include them in home gardens. Including rain gardens, of course!
Here’s how the competition works:
Starting on Tuesday, March 18, two “games” will be held on weekdays through RORG’s social media pages, where YOU can vote for your favorite plant! The number of votes from the polls will determine which of the 28 plant species will move on to proceeding rounds and ultimately be crowned the 2025 Champion.
How to vote:
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RedOakRainGarden to be a part of the fun! Matches are posted on the platforms twice daily at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM CST, weekdays from March 18 to April 4.
- Facebook
- Timeline: to vote, “like” or “love” your chosen species image when we post a match.
- Stories: To view our Stories, click or tap on our profile photo. Then, you can vote in the match polls!
- Instagram
- To vote, view our Stories by clicking or tapping our profile photo and vote for your chosen species in the polls!
Want to compete for a chance to win a prize?
SUBMIT YOUR OWN BRACKET!
Not only can you participate in the daily voting polls, but you can also submit your own bracket for a chance to win a sweet set of Illinois Extension “rain-care” merch (an umbrella and rain gauge)!
To submit a bracket (due March 17):
- Click or tap on the bracket below and download it.
- Fill it out with your picks and save the document. Please include your name! Note that you can learn more about the plants by clicking their names in the bracket.
- Submit your completed bracket to RedOakRainGarden@illinois.edu by Monday, March 17. Matches begin the following day.
Bracket Rules
- One bracket entry per person. Brackets must be submitted by Monday, March 17. Matches begin the following day at 11:00 AM CST.
- The winning bracket is chosen based on the ESPN Fantasy scoring system.
A correct pick in each round is shown below:
1. Round 1: 10 points per pick
2. Round 2: 20 points per pick
3. Round 3: 40 points per pick
4. Round 4: 80 points per pick
5. Championship: 160 points per pick
Once the numbers of correct picks are totaled from your bracket, the person with the most points will be notified. As mentioned, this year’s prize is an umbrella and rain gauge with Illinois Extension branding! ☔
“Raining” Champions
2024- Butterflyweed
2023- Swamp Milkweed
2022- Wild Hyacinth
2021- Virginia Bluebells
2020- Butterflyweed
Which plant will victoriously battle its way to the top to earn the title of the 2025 Rain Garden Rumble CHAMPION? Stay tuned to find out!
#RainGardenRumble2025
The Red Oak Rain Garden is home to over 60 species of plants, many native to east-central Illinois. Learn all about them on our Plants page!
Red Oak Rain Garden 
