Water Garden Plants
Plants for the water garden can be profusely extravagant or minimal, whatever suits your taste. Many "land" plants, such as canna and iris can easily be adapted into water plants.
Plants should be placed in a pot with no holes and heavy clay soil. Use river rock, not pea gravel on top of the soil to keep fish from rooting arounhd in them, especially if you have koi in your pond.
Shown
here are just a few examples.
Water
lilies are a traditional favorite. Tropical and hardy varieties are available.
Frogs really do sit on the leaves!
Water Hyacinth is a free floating plant, needing no pot. It spreads quickly and produces lots of "baby" plants. The floating roots filter nutrients through the water and keep water clear. They are not hardy over winter in cold climates.
Pickerel Weed is a fast growing hardy plant. Hummingbirds and butterlys love the purple blossoms. Hardy over winter when sunk in deepest part of pond after frost.
The Lotus is the Queen of the water garden. Large, lavish blooms open all summer and stand on tall stalks above the water. Smaller types are available in different colors and work well for small ponds.