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Sat 11am-5pm
Sun 11am-3pm
Call our offices at any time with questions: (262) 268-1121
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Aquatic Plant Information
As contractors and pond specialists, many people
ask us why having aquatic plants is so important in their ponds. The short
answer is because they oxygenate the water and are a critical piece in the
nitrogen cycle. Let's explore why.
Unlike human beings and other animals, pond plants photosynthesize during
daylight hours. Photosynthesis, carried out by pond plants and it's land based
relatives involves combining the chemical compounds carbon dioxide (CO2) and
water (H2O) to produce carbohydrate (energy) and oxygen (O2). Any pond
environment can never have too much oxygen as this is the basic requirement not
only for your fish to be able to breathe but also for the beneficial bacteria,
living in your Bio Filter to successfully convert ammonia to nitrate during the
nitrogen cycle. As you can see aquatic plants not only add natural beauty to
what might otherwise be quite a dull looking pond feature but also serve as a
valuable natural oxygenator.
Effects of lily pads on algae in ponds: Water lilies, aka Lotus flowers and the
other 5 categories of pond plant serve another valuable function in the overall
Ecosystem. They compete with green water for phosphates and nitrates, the end
result of the Nitrogen Cycle. This helps to control the spread of every pond
owner's nightmare: the dreaded Algae Bloom, that can if left un-managed result
in the suffocation of your pond fish. Water cress is an excellent water plant
choice for nitrate removal.
How many pond plants should I use in my fish pond or water garden?
As a basic rule of thumb we would advise that for each square meter of surface
area (10 square feet) consider using the following number of pond plants:
1 large water lily
1 bog plant
2 bunches of oxygenating pond plants (oxygenators)
This is only a basic guide and it is possible to vary it slightly to fit in with
your own water garden designs.
When planting My Aquatic pond plants what should I be aware of?
Water lily pads are an aquatic plant species that like still water that is at
least 18" in depth. They aren't comfortable in flowing or fast moving water. A
best way of planting your water lilies is to plant them in the gravel at the
required depth. If you plant tropical lilies, you may want to keep them in pots
for ease of removal in the late season.
Only ever use aquatic fertilizer that has been specifically designed for use
with aquatic plants. These fertilizers have a naturally lower concentration of
phosphorous and nitrogen. Initially when you bought the water plants they would
have been supplied in baskets containing aquatic compost.
Ensure that you cover up the roots and soil because your Koi and goldfish will
happily eat away at the roots, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the plant
in consuming excess nitrate. Pebbles and gravel are an excellent way of
preventing your plants from becoming "fish food".
When planting marginal plants you may find it useful to use coco mats or coir as
a means to hold the plant in position. You can also mix a bit of aquatic compost
together with the coir. Place pebbles on the mat to keep it submerged.
Water Lilies & Aquatic Pond Plants
The 6 classes of pond plants are: Water lilies that root deeply at the bottom of
your fish pond... Oxygenators that are often rootless & totally submerged ...
Floating pond plants that add beauty to any pond design e.g. Duck Weed ...
Partly emerging pond plants that root into mud & their flowers project out of
the pond ... Marginals, the most common aquatic pond plant that likes marginal
(shallow) areas and Bog plants that like boggy (muddy) areas.
Category 1: Water lilies
- The most beautiful of pond plants, water lily pads (aka Lotus flower) are
available in many colors. The 2 most common are Carnea (pink) & Alba (white).
Water lilies are vigorous growers so ensure that only a max of 2/3 of the pond
surface is covered. Water lilies prefer deeper water ... at least 18" but some
require water that is up to 3 ft.
Category 2: Oxygenators
These pond plants provide good pond aeration and are totally submersed beneath
water. They float around your water garden or root into soil. Monkey tail, Water
crowfoot; Water violet, Hornwort and Parrots feather are examples.
Category 3: Floating pond plants
This species of pond plant doesn't need soil and has roots that resemble hairs,
that dangle below it's body. They can add tremendous effect to any water garden
design. Examples of these pond plants include: Duck weed, Water chestnut, Water
Hyacinth and the Water lettuce. Placement of floaters in your Bio Filter will
yield added filtration and explosive growth in the plant itself.
Category 4: Emerging marginal
pond plants
These plants survive around the edges of the pond where the depth is about 6".
You may need to anchor them down with rocks or large pebbles to prevent them
from blowing over. Examples include: Bog Arum, Striped water grass, Pennywort,
Double Marsh Marigold, Japanese Iris, Japanese arrowhead, Zebra rush and
Pickerel plant.
Category 5: Marginals
These are the most common type of pond plant and are found in the shallow areas
of your water garden. They are sometimes referred to as bog plants because they
are more than capable of existing in muddy (boggy) areas. Examples include Bog
Primula, Reed Mace, Pickerel, Water Buttons and the Marsh Marigold.
Category 6: Bog plants
These can be shrubs, trees or herbaceous plants that usually live in muddy, damp
and shady areas where the maximum water coverage is about 2" (5cms). The
herbaceous varieties normally die during the cold winter months. During the
summer months they add variety and color to the pond design. Examples include:
Lobelias, Goatsbeard, Yellow star flowers, scarlet flowers, water Iris, Clematis
Iris and the Cardinalis "Ruby slippers"
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Hardy Marginals
Hardy marginal plants will survive
Wisconsin winters to Zone 5 and will grow the best if planted in the suggested water
depths. Many of these plants are very resilient and can be planted deeper
in the pond than what is specified. We plant all of our marginal plants on
the upper shelf of the pond directly into the gravel, no pot, no additional
soil. While all of these plants are considered hardy here in Wisconsin,
the cells that are colored blue are the most hardy of these plants.
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Acorus calamus var.
variegata (Variegated Sweetflag)
Iris type foliage,
bold white and green variegation. 30" height, 0-6" depth. |
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Acorus gramineus var. variegata ( Japanese Sweetflag)
A small version of the
above. 1'height, 0-6" depth. |
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Acorus graminius var.
variegata 'Ogon' (Japanese Sweetflag)
Variegated leaves of
green and chartruese foliage. 1' height, 0-6" depth |
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Aponogeton distachys
(Water Hawthorn)
Floating leaves, white
flowers with maroon spots, spring and fall. 6-18" depth |
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Alisma plantago
(Water Plantain)
Light pink or white
airy flowers over attractive foliage. 2' height, 0-4" depth |
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Asclepias incarnata
(Swamp Milkweed)
Loved by monarch
butterflys 2-4' height, 0-2"depth |
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Butomus umbellatus
(Flowering Rush)
Pink umbels of flowers
over straplike leaves. 2' height, 0-6" depth |
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Carex
muskinensis (Bamboo
Sedge)
Very full sedge with a
look of bamboo 1-2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Carex
stricta var. 'Bowles
Golden ' (Golden Sedge)
Beautiful golden
leaves. 1' height, 0-2" depth |
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Eriophorum spp.
(Cotton Grass)
Tufts of cottony seeds
heads on this attractive grass. 1' height, 0-4" depth |
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Glyceria variegata (Glyceria
Grass)
Graceful striped green
and white grass. 1-2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Eleocaris sp. (Spike
Rush)
Fine spikey foliage,
topped with small brown seed heads. 1'height, 0-4"depth. |
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Equisetum hymale
(Horsetail or Scouring Rush)
Jointed stems, a very
different look. 2-3' height, 0-6" depth |
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Equisetum sciorpoides
(Mini-Horsetail Rush)
Jointed stems, dainty,
but hardy . 6-8" height, 0-2" depth |
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Euphorbia palustrus
(Water Spurge)
White airy flowers,
bright golden orange foliage in fall. 1-2' height, 0-2" depth |
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Hibiscus sp
Giant 8-10'"flowers,
available in white or pink. 4' height, 0-6" depth |
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Houttuynia cordata
var.'Chameleon'
Pink, white, and green
variegated heart shaped leaves. 1' height, 0-4" depth |
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Iris
pseudocorus (Yellow
Flag Iris)
Beautiful yellow
flowers, attractive foliage. 4' height, 0-6" depth |
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Hydrocotyle sp.
(Pennywort)
Trailing plant with
small scalloped parasol leaves. 3-6"height, 0-2"depth |
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Hydrocotyle var
'Crystal Confetti'
Smaller variegated
form of the above 1-2"height, 0-2"depth |
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Iris
vericolor (Blue Flag
Iris)
Beautiful blue
flowers. 3' height, 0-6" depth |
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Iris
fulva (Red Iris)
A different copper red
colored iris. 2' Height, 0-6"depth |
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Iris
ensata (Japanese
Iris)
Beautiful large, flat
creped blooms, mixed colors. 3' height, 0-6" depth |
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Iris
Louisiana
Large, bold flowers,
many varieties available.3' height, 0-6" depth |
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Iris
siberica (Siberian
Iris)
Mixed colors, smaller
flowers over narrow foliage. 2' height, 0-6" depth |
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Juncus effusus spiralis
(Corkscrew Rush)
An unusual plant with
twisting stems. 1' height, 0-6" depth |
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Juncus effusus
(Common Rush)
Dark green, reed like
foliage. 18" height, 0-6" depth |
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Juncus glauca (Blue
Rush)
Steel blue spikes
2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Juncus effusus 'Gold
Strike Rush'
Dark green with golden
vertical stripes. 18" height, 0-6"depth |
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Ligusticum umbelliserae
(Lovage, Water Celery)
Bright green foliage,
flowers, floating or 0-6" depth |
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Lobelia cardinalis
(Cardinal Flower)
Brilliant scarlet
spikes. 2-3' height, 0-2 depth |
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Lychmasia nummularia
Ruffled little
leaves of bright yellow, tiny yellow flowers.4"height, 0-2"depth |
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Mentha aquatica
(Aquatic Mint)
Fragrant pink flowers
over aromatic foliage. 1'height, 0-6"depth |
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Mimulus gluttens
(Yellow Monkey Flower)
Trailing plant, yellow
flowers with red speckles.1'height,0-2"depth |
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Mimulus ringens
(Monkey Flower)
Lavender flowers, long
blooming. 1-2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Myositis aquatica
(Forget Me Not)
Lots of bright blue
flowers over clear green foliage. 1'height, 0-4"depth. |
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Myriophyllum aquaticum
(Parrot's Feathers)
Trailing blue green
foliage. 0-12" depth |
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Oenenthe javanica
(Rainbow Pastel Celery)
Don't miss this one!
Bold white, lavender, pink, and green leaves, airy white
blossoms, and ---a
great filter plant. 1'height, 0-6"depth |
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Orontium aquaticum
(Golden Club)
White spike flowers
with bright golden tips.1' height, 0-6" depth |
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Peltandra virginica
(Water Arum)
White calla bloom over
glossy green arrow-shaped leaves. 1' height, 0-6"depth |
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Pontederia cordata (Pickeral
Rush)
Blue spike flowers,
sun or shade. 2-3' height, 0-12" depth |
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Pragmites australis
(Candy Stripe Reed)
Pink, green, and white
striped grassy foliage 2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Pragmites australis aurea
(Golden Reed)
Bright yellow green
foliage 2'height, 0-6"depth |
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Ranunculus repens
(Buttered Popcorn)
Bright mound of gold
and green variegated foliage 1'height, 0-2"depth |
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Sagittaria latifolia
(Arrowhead)
White flowers,
attractive arrow shaped leaves. 2' height, 0-1' depth |
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Saururus cernuus
(Lizard Tail)
Fragrant white flowers
in graceful drooping spikes. 2' height, 0-6" depth |
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Scirpus tabernaemontani
var. zebrinus (Zebra Rush)
Bold cream and white
barring. 3" height, 0-1' depth |
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Scirpus lacustri var.
'alba' (White Bulrush)
Beautiful white
stripes. Choice variety. 3'height, 0-1' depth |
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Spartina pectinata
var. aureomarginata (Variegated Cord Grass)
Yellow edges on
graceful leaves. 3' height, 0-6" depth |
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Thalia dealbata
(Hardy Canna)
Purple red flowers
held high above foliage. 4' height, 0-1' depth |
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Thypa
varieties (Cattail)
Well known for its
cattails. 2-4' height, 0-1' depth |
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Thypa
sp. var. 'Europa' (Mini-Cattail)
Tiny cattails over
blue green foliage, a great plant. 1' height, 0-1'depth |
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Thypa
var. 'variegata'
(Variegated Cattail)
White striped foliage,
a choice variety. 3' height, 0-1' depth |
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Veronica beccabunae
(Veronica)
Trailing shiny leaves,
small blue flowers all summer. 0-6" depth |
Hardy Water Lilies
These
water lilies will be able to survive Wisconsin winters as long as they are
planted at least one foot below the surface of the water. Many people
suggest only planting these lilies in one foot of water, but we have had very
consistent good luck planting them two or three feet deep. Usually we
plant them in planting pockets in the bottom of the pond before filling it with
water.
Red
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+Attraction |
Always
in demand, bright rose red blossoms |
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Baby Red |
A
treasure in a tub garden, deep crimson blossoms |
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+James
Brydon |
One of
the darkest reds |
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Gypsy |
Free
blooming red |
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+Rembrandt |
Bright
red |
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+Splendida |
Deep
pink double turning rose red |
White
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+Albida |
Very
reliable and fragrant |
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*+Moondance |
Star
shaped, free blooming, over mottled foliage |
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Odorata |
Very
fragrant native with bright green foliage |
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Queen of
the Whites |
Great
bloomer with slight fragrance |
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Virginalis |
Glistening beauty with over 45 petals |
Pink
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+Arc en
Ceil |
Beautiful foliage of pink, green and white |
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+Fabiola |
A
profuse bloomer |
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Glorie
du Temple |
Pale
pink, changing to white, extremely double |
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Hollandia (Darwin) |
Huge
double medium pink, early bloomer, fragrant |
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M
Wilfron Gonnere |
Large,
with many double flowers, a great choice |
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Mayla |
Bright
fuchsia and fragrant |
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Mrs.
Richmond |
Large
medium dark pink |
Yellow
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+Chromatella |
Bright
yellow, good choice for a pond with limited sunshine |
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+Joey
Tomachek |
Vivid
yellow, great bud count |
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Sulfurea |
Many
soft yellow blossoms, one of the first to bloom in spring |
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Texas Dawn |
Giant
bright yellow, blossoms held high over mottled foliage |
Changeable
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+Aurora |
A little
charmer with beautiful mottled leaves |
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Commanche |
Yellow
changing to bronze/copper, mottled foliage |
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+Indiana |
Bright
splash of color, good for small ponds and tub gardens |
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+Sioux |
A very
reliable bloomer, great in tubs |
Peach
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+Barbara
Dobkins |
Large
glistening peach blossoms |
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Carolina
Sunset |
Bright
and cheery with heavily mottled leaves |
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+Colorado |
Long
bloom season, salmon shades |
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Florida
Sunset |
Mottled
foliage, beautiful flower form |
Floaters
These plants simply float on the top of the water.
Often times these are placed in top of the biofalls. They do a great job
of filtering water and removing nutrients. Place a stick or piece of
fishing line across the biofalls to keep these plants from choking off the
waterfall. Weights or fishing line can be used in the pond also to keep
these floaters out of your skimmer. All of these plants are tropical and
will not survive our winter.
Water Hyacinth - Eichhornia crassipes
Water Lettuce - Pistia stratiotes
Submerged Oxygenators
These plants are usually sold in pre-weighted bundles. Just toss them
in and they will do the rest. They will root directly into the pond bottom
and will provide excellent cover for the fish. They also take nutrients
out of the water which helps to minimize algae growth. These plants will
need thinning from time to time, as they grow rather vigorously.
Anacharis
 
Hornwort
Call us today and set up
an appointment for an expert consultation, or visit our
Contact Information
page
and take the next step towards enjoying the water garden lifestyle!
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