Water lilies are often grown in water gardens.
Aquatic plants suitable for growing in water gardens are divided into four types: floating leaved, marginal, floating and submerged. The most attractive species are those with floating leaves and those that grow on the margins or edges of water gardens. Be alert for invasive species that have been imported into North America; they can foul lakes and ponds by spreading through streams and creeks. Use scientific names of plants for accurate search.
Floating-leaved Plants
A hybrid water lily with purple blossoms
Aquatic plants with floating leaves have extensive roots that filter nutrients directly from the water. There are numerous hybrid species of water lilies in the plant genus Nymphaea that have white, red or yellow blossoms, but they can take over a water garden; control their spread by pulling out the pads. Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is similar to a fragrant water lily but has smaller leaves. Spatterdock (Nuphar polysepala) has large round or heart-shaped leaves; its yellow flowers bloom in the summer.
Marginal Aquatic Plants
Cattails will grow on the edges of a water garden.
Marginal aquatic have their roots below the water and their shoots above water. Attractive species include alligator flag (Thalia geniculata); pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata); Japanese iris (Iris laevigata); water flag (Iris pseudacorus); water violet (Hottonia palustris); bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliate); flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus); and sweet flag (Acorus calamus). Indian rice (Zizania aquatica L.) grows up to 10 feet tall. The narrow-leafed cattail (Typha angustifolia) and the broad-leafed cattail (Typha latifolia L.) are large margin plants.
Floating Aquatic Plants
Floating plants float freely on top of the water or underwater; their roots do not grow in the soil. Purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) yields small purple blossoms. There are numerous species of duckweed in the plant family Lemnaceae that have tiny leaves and blossoms, but they spread rapidly and you should avoid them.
Submerged Plants
Submerged aquatic plants are entirely covered with water and grow on sediments on the bottom of water gardens. They're usually planted to provide oxygen to the water. Cambomba (Cambomba caroliniana) is an attractive submerged plant often grown in aquariums.
Invasive Species
The attractive water hyacinth is an invasive species.
Avoid planting invasive species in your water garden. A partial list of invasive species includes the Brazilian waterweed or elodea (Egeria densa); Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum); hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata); parrot feather (Myriophyllum spicatum); purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.); and water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes). Some species may be prohibited in your state; check your local agricultural extension service to find banned species. The USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center gives identifying information and images of invasive species.
Related posts
Lake plants can help nourish animal life, oxygenate water and provide food.Aquatic plants help contribute to a healthy lake ecosystem. Benefits of lake plants include a source of food, nesting and...
Freshwater plants provide nutrition to other aquatic life.A variety of freshwater plants is found all across the world. Freshwater habitats include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, bogs, swamps and...
Some plants do better in wetter soil.From choosing what, where and when to plant and maintaining it all, gardening can be hard as well as rewarding work. Sometimes problems, such as standing or ex...
The ocean is abundant with the marine plant algae.The ocean abounds with a variety of water plants. These plants are often rich in nutrients, making them a primary food source to many marine anima...
Leafy plants often provide more than just an extra touch of green to the flower garden.Even in a flower garden, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Creating contrast by tucking leafy g...
