Designing a beautiful water garden comes with the task of choosing the types of plants you’d like to adorn the space with. Just like plants that are traditionally planted in soil, water plants come in many varieties and have distinct preferences for areas of the pond they grow well in. Continue reading to learn more about plants to include in your water garden.
Bog Filters
Also known as marginal plants, bog filters are plants that prefer wet roots and thrive in shallow water or areas of your pond that is consistently damp. These are important plant varieties in include in your water garden because they help filter and clean the water by providing oxygen and soaking up extra nutrients. They are also used for creating a physical barrier that can protect the area from flooding or runoffs. If you are someone who loves aquatic life and animals, you’ll also de delighted to find that bog filters provide shelter for all types of organisms from frogs to fish to waterfowl.
When researching plants to incorporate, make sure to consider the area you live in and go for plant species that are native to the area rather than invasive species. Top marginal plants that people like include arrowhead plants, marsh marigolds, cardinal flowers, and cattails.
Submerged Plants
Submerged plants spend their entire lives underwater, obtaining all the nutrients that need directly from the water. In return, these plants keep the water clear by providing oxygen and clearing away algae. They are also used by fish and other creatures underwater to hide or spawn.
Common submerged plants to include in your water garden could be hornwort, hairgrass, or anacharis.
Floating Plants
Floating plants sit at the surface of the water and help to provide shade and absorb nutrients. These plants keep the water clean this way, preventing algae from running rampant in the water. While lotuses may come to mind when considering floating plants, these aren’t truly in this category because they usually have their plants and leaves above the surface.
Other types of floating plant varieties you may see used include duckweed, water lettuce, and different kinds of water lilies.
Plants to Avoid
While there are plenty of plants that do well in water, these plants also come with a bit of a warning. Oftentimes, highly invasive plant species are chosen for water gardens. They provide unique beauty to the space but can be difficult to manage for those that an inexperienced or short on time and can invade local waterways, posing a threat to local biodiversity.
Plants like water hyacinth, duckweed, and chameleon plants grow rapidly and can be difficult to control once it’s been planted. If areas become overrun with these plants, it can cause oxygen depletion and limit sunlight in the pond. When this happens, fish and other wildlife can be choked out.
Contact Us
We are experts in creating beautiful water gardens and offer insight and services to take your outdoor space to the next level. Stoeckig Landscape Group is your partner in Dacula, GA. Learn more by contacting our office at 770-831-1790!