Choosing the right water garden plants makes the difference between a spectacular water garden and a shabby wanna-be

Water plants are easy to grow successfully if placed in the right environment

The water garden is becoming a fixture in an increasing number of landscaping plans. Gardening in water offers opportunities to use an entirely new range of plants in a new and attractive environment.

Water plants are among the easiest to grow successfully. Within two years, given healthy water conditions, a water garden will grow into an area that looks as if it has been part of the landscape for years. It will be well established and growing with vim and vigor in just that short period of time. Below is a description of various water garden conditions and suitable water plants.

Water Pond Plants

Water pond plants are a must when you have a pond. They not only add beauty to your landscaping, they also provide breeding places for dragonflies and fish. Their roots absorb nutrients that might otherwise foul the waterand they also provide shade and control the temperature of the water. Below is a listing of the different characteristics of water plants:

• Submerged aquatics live completely under water. They are the oxygenating plants and release streams of air bubbles into the water.
• Deep-water aquatics have their roots in water that is 18 inches or more in depth. Their leaves stand out above the water or float on the surface.
• Marginal or Border plants grow in the shallow water around the edge of a pond. They are often planted in baskets submerged in water.
• Free-floating plants drift about on the surface of the pond with their roots dangling free in the water.

Visit your local nursery to see a variety of plants that are available. Many nurseries now have great water gardening sections where you can observe the plants in actual water garden settings and learn the best way to plant and care for them.

Bog Plants

A bog water garden offers an opportunity to grow a tremendous variety of plants. the difference between a bog garden and a pond water garden is that a pond contains standing water, while a bog is wet ground, so the conditions suit different types of plants. Bogs are naturally wet areas that often must be cleaned out before it can be planted successfully. A lot of bog plants, such as Japanese Iris have quite short flowering seasons so include plenty of dramatic foliage plants to back them up. Below is a listing of suitable plants for bogs:

• Gunnera is of the rhubarb family with enormous umbrella-like leaves and prickly stems. When it dies down for the winter, cover the crown with its own dead leaves for insulation.
• Elephant Ears come in both green and purple varieties









• Astible is available in colors ranging from cream to all shades of pinks and reds
• Peltiphyllum Peltatum A striking plant for the bog garden, just under 3ft tall. This is commonly called an Umbrella Plant. The leaves look good all summer and if enough moisture is available, it will continue and go on to provide an attractive red bronze autumn colour
• Japanese Iris The ordinary species of purple flower has now evolved into numerous hybrids of all shades of purple, mauve, and lilac along with white.
• Primula This is an early-flowering waterside perennial that can be reliably increased by division
• Hosta (Plantain Lily) A perennial favorite, this plant is easily adaptable to bog plantings
• Lobelia A moisture loving perennial that is hardy in most areas. Most commonly available in blues and shades of violet, hybrids are now coming out in various shades of red
• Pampas Grass This grass spreads quickly and can easily take over a large space. It looks wildly impressive and it is also long-lasting.

Water gardening is still gardening. It encompasses all the usual garden chores of planting, dividing and weeding. But the results are well worth it when you see the mature pond and bog garden in all their glory, so if you have some wet areas or streams, or would like to build a pond, why not give it a try?