Blue Pickerel Rush

Pontederia cordata

This is one of the more familiar members of the same family of plants that includes the famous Water Hyacinth. The family, the Pontederiaceae, is a large group of plants mainly from tropical America, with some species ranging into more temperate zones.  For the pond owner, the family offers some of the most beautiful and satisfying of all of the plants that we keep in our water gardens. Not only are they beautiful, they are useful as filtering aids. With their extensive root systems, they strip enormous quantities of nutrients from the water, precluding algae on a grand scale. They should be planted 0 - 6" below the water surface in full sun to part shade.  Blue flowers appear from spring through fall on glossy heart-shaped leaves.  The flowers attract dragon flies by the score to help rid the garden of mosquitoes and gnats.  Hardy to zone 3 and growing 18-30" in height, every pond planting should include a Blue Pickerel.

Sagittaria

Sagittaria lancifolia

Sagittaria (Duck potato) is an emersed plant. It's large leaves and conspicuous flowers make it easy to find in the wild. It grows commonly in swamps, ditches, lakes, and stream margins.  Duck potato gets its name from its potato-like, underground corms that sometimes form. Duck potato has large, firm, lance-shaped leaves, which are typically four inches wide and up to two feet long. The leaf bases taper to the stem. The leaves grow as a fan-like rosette from underground rhizomes. Duck potato flowers are typical Sagittaria flowers: showy and white, with three petals. Flowers are extended on thick stalks that are often a foot or more above the leaves.

Cattail

Typha

Cattails are among the most common of all aquatic plants.  They can reach eight or more feet tall and grow prolifically from thick underground rhizomes.  Cattails often dominate large areas, especially where water levels fluctuate.  Cattails get their name from their cylindrical flower spikes which can be more than one foot long. The flower spikes are densely packed with tiny flowers.  Cattail leaves are strap-like and stiff, and rounded on the back. The leaves are sheathed together at their bases. Therefore, cattail plants appear to be flattened from the side. Leaves are straight in the bottom half, but twist and spiral in the top half.

Lizard's Tail

Saururus cernuus

Lizard's-tail is a common emersed plant. It grows into small colonies from underground runners. The erect plant typically grows to one to two feet tall, in ditches, swamps, marshes, and other wetlands.  Lizard's-tail has a bottlebrush spike of white flowers. It is typically six to eight inches long but can be longer. The fragrant cream flower spike arches above the leaves of the plant. After maturity, the flowers become a string of nutlets that resemble a lizard's tail. The leaves are medium sized, about 1 1/2 inches wide, and three to four inches long. They can be arrowhead-shaped or heart-shaped, are on stalks, and are alternate on the stem. Leaf stalks form clasps where they join the stem.  A native to North Carolina, Lizard's Tail is hardy to Zone 4.

Umbrella Palm

Cyperus alternifolius

The Umbrella Palm, also known as Umbrella Plant and Umbrella Papyrus, is an excellent accent plant for ponds or patios. Umbrella Palms provide an exciting look to any location - home, office or pond.  A quick grower, Umbrella Palms have 24 to 72 inch high stems with thin blades arranged like an umbrella on the end. They can easily achieve this height in one growing season.  Plant them in nutrient rich soil in 2 to 5-gallon or larger containers. They prefer 1 to 6 inches water depth, and to be placed in sun to partial shade. Waterproof containers can also be sunk around the garden to create a bog situation for the palm.  Umbrella Palms may spread easily to 12-48". Zones 9-11.

Thalia

Thalia geniculata ruminoides

Thalia (fire flag) is a large emersed plant that grows from a thick rhizome. It grows in ponds, swamps, marshes, and along stream banks. It is not widely distributed.  Large simple leaves on long stalks are among fire flag's most notable features. The leaves are broadly lance-shaped, with broadly rounded bases. They can be up to eight inches wide and more than 2 1/2 feet long. Several leaves growing together are sheathed at the base. Fire flag flowers are paired; that is, two flowering bracts emerge on top of a tall flower stalk. Multiple small purple flowers hang from the bracts. The flowers have three petals.

VARIEGATED SWEETFLAG

Acorus calamus 'Variegata'

Japanese Sweet Flag has striking white, cream and green variegated iris-like foliage. The bruised leaves are very aromatic giving off a sweet spice scent. Bloom is an inconspicuous greenish yellow. The edible roots are cinnamon-scented. A water loving plant, Sweetflag spreads rapidly.  The swords of this iris like plant are it's claim to fame. Broad bands of white make it a great showplant.  The blooms are insignificant iris like flowers. The real beauty is in the shiny foliage. Use your Sweet Flag to break up that all green look of your pond plants. Will do well in your flowerbed too! Grows to 24 inches tall.

 Sweetflag

Acorus calamus

Sometimes called sweet scented rush, the iris-like leaves smell delightful when crushed. The interesting green flower spike is inconspicuous, growing  to 18" tall.  Chewed by the Cree Indians and other tribes as a stimulant and possible hallucinogen, Sweetflag contains asarones.

Water Hyacinth

Eichornia crassipes

This tropical water hyacinth is one of the most beautiful flowering water plants with purple blossoms borne above the water. Fast growing, it stays afloat with air-filled chambers along the waxy green stems. Valuable for water purification and reducing algae. This exotic nuisance grows in all types of freshwaters.  Water hyacinths vary in size from a few inches to over three feet tall. They have showy lavender flowers. Water hyacinth leaves are rounded and leathery, attached to spongy and sometimes inflated stalks. The plant has dark feathery roots.  Water hyacinth is sometimes confused with frog's-bit, Limnobium spongia.

Moneywort (Creeping Jenny)

Lysimachia nummularia

Sometimes called Creeping Jenny, Moneywort is a good groundcover for wet areas that will tolerate shade.  As an alternative, the plant may be grown in a hanging pot.  As shown, the plant produces yellow flowers in the summer.  Use with caution as Creeping Jenny can become a lawn weed where becomes difficult to get rid of.  A yearly pruning of this herbaceous perennial will help keep it "in control".  It is hardy to Zone 3.

Golden Moneywort

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'

This easy-to-grow moisture lover is a marvelous 2" tall, low-growing, golden groundcover whose dime-sized leaves give the ground a year round golden color. Gold moneywort is perfect for brightening an area in the garden or interweaving to make some great color combinations.  It will tolerate shade, bu needs sun to maintain the golden color.  Aurea is a beautiful variety, whose golden color can form a good contrast to the other plants in a pond/aquarium. It is most decorative when planted in small groups.  Originating in Europe, Aurea is hardy to Zone 3