Garden Pond Water Plants

Marginal Plants

Marginal aquatics grow in swamps and on the edges of the pond like to stand in up. They are available from tall reeds to low growing ground cover. The Marginal plants are simply planted by lowering the crates onto the marginal shelves round the edges of the pond.

Marginal aquatics 'A'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Acorus calamus. sweet flag 60 to 100 0 to 15 summer Dark green iris-like with a small, insignificant green horn-shaped bloom. Aromatic rootstock.
Acorus calamus Variegatus 50 to 80 2 to 15 summer Same as the above, but with green and cream vertical striped leaves.
Acorus gramineus Variegatus 25 to 35 0 to 5 summer Yellow green striped lanceolate leaves.
Acorus gramineus var. gramineus 20 to 40 0 to 5 summer White-green striped lanceolate leaves.
Acorus intermedius 35 to 45 0to 10 summer Green lanceolate leaves.
Alisma parviflorum 40 to 60 5 to 25 summer Attractive round leaves
Alisma plantago-aquaticum. great water plantain 40 to 80 0 to 20 summer Robust plant with broad, lanceolate long stemmed leaves and clusters of whitish-grey flowers
Aponogeton distachyos 10 to 60 10 to 75 summer Oval-shaped shaped leaves with brown spots. Sweetly scented snow-white waxy flowers with jet black anthers. Second flowering during mid winter
Allium schoenoprasum 50 to 80 0 winter Grass like tubular, mid green leaves. Starry, rose pink flowers arranged in dense globular heads.

Marginal aquatics 'B'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Berula erecta. lesser water parsnip 30 to 60 0 to 10 July to September Narrow, irregularly serrate leaves. Tiny flowers.
Butomus umbellatus. flowering rush 60 to 100 3 to 25 winter Triangular sword shaped leaves, red in spring turning to dark green. Rose-pink flowers are produced in umbels.

Marginal plants 'C'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Cella palustris. bog arum 15 to 25 3 to 25 winter A rambling plant with heart shaped leaves, arum-like white flowers followed by right red seed heads.
Caltha palustris. marsh marigold; king cup 30 to 50 0 to 15 spring Slightly serrated dark green leaves with single yellow flowers.
Caltha palustris var. alba 25 to 40 0 to 10 spring Slightly serrated dark green leaves with white single flowers.
Caltha palustris Plena 25 to 50 0 to 15 spring As Caltha Paustris, but with double yellow flowers. Frequently has a second flowering during late summer.
Caltha palustris var. polypetala 60 to 90 5 to 25 spring Large serrated dark green foliage with large single yellow flowers.
Carex pseudocyperus 60 to 90 0 to 25 winter Bright green, grassy leaves with drooping, many flowering spikelets of dark green
Carex riparia. great pond sedge 90 to 120 0 to 25 winter A coarse grass with broad leaves and brown spikelets.
Carex riparia Bowles Golden 30 to 50 8 to 20 winter Most decorative sedge for shallow water, with beautiful rich golden-yellow foliage.
Carex riparia Variegata. variegated pond sedge 30 to 50 8 to 20 winter A coarse grass with broad green and white leaves.
Cotula coronopifolia. brass buttons 20 to 40 0 to 20 winter A pretty creeping plant with numerous bright yellow flowers like buttons. An annual that seeds well and is suitable for colonizing.
Cyperus longus. sweet galingale 60 to 120 3 to 25 summer Dark green grass like pendulous foliage with brown  flowers.

Marginal plants 'D' and 'E'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Dicchromena colorata. star grass 40 to 60 2 to 5 winter to spring Five bracks in an attractive green and white star-shaped cascade.
Equisetum hyemale 60 to 100 0 to 15   Thick bamboo types of stems, larger version of scirpoides.
Equisetum scirpoides 25 to 40 0 to 10   Attractive small spiky bamboo types stem.
Eupatorium cannabinum. hemp agrimony 60 to 120 0 to 10 spring Large mid-green, lanceolate leaves. Reddish stem with rounded terminal heads 10  to 12 cm across of the red purple florets.

Marginal plants 'G'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Geum rivale. water avens 30 to 50 0 to 15 winter and spring Nodding bell shaped red flowers.
Glyceria aquatica. manna grass 50 to 80 10 to 40 winter A stout reed like grass with a branched panicle of greenish spikelets.
Glyceria maxima Variegata 30 to 60 3 to 25 winter Very vigorous plant with pinky red grass type foliage in spring, maturing later to yellow and white. Pendulous inflorescence.

Marginal plants 'H'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Hippuris vulgaris. mares tail 25 to 30 2 to 15 winter Stems stand stiffly out of water, densely packed with whorls of narrow foliage.
Houttuynia cordata Chameleon 20 to 50 0 to 5 spring Red, yellow and green tricolour cordate leaves with red stems. Single white flowers.
Houttuynia cordata Plena 30 to 50 0 to 25 spring The bluish-green cordate leaves are trimmed with red and grow from red stem. The semi double flowers  have red flecks on the petal ends. A very attractive pool plant.
Hydrocotyle vulgaris 30 to 40 0 to 10 winter Creeping habit round crenate foliage. Small white flowers

Marginal plants 'I'

Name Mature height in cm Water over soil in cm Flowering Period Description
Iris ensata (Iris kaempferi) 60 to 90 0 to 10 summer 0 winter winter Clematis flowered iris with colours varying through white, blue, red, violet and crimson, often with bold and elaborate markings
Iris laevigata 60 to 90 0 to 90 winter Dark foliage with rich blue flowers. It is probably the best iris for garden ponds.
Iris laevigata Colchesterensis 60 to 90 0 to 20 winter Blue and white flowers.
Iris laevigata hybrids 60 to 80 0 to 15 winter Flower colours range from ark blue to white.
Iris laevigata Snowdrift 60 to 90 0 to 25 winter As iris laevigata but with superb large white blooms having six petals.
Iris laevigata Variegata 50 to 60 3 to 10 winter Bright green and white foliage with blue flowers. Sometimes rather difficult to establish.
Iris pseudacorus. yellow flag 60 to 100 0 to 25 winter Vigorous iris with broad green foliage and bright yellow flowers.
Iris pseudacorus Flore Pleno 60 to 100 0 to 25 winter Bright yellow double flowers.
Iris pseudacorus var. bastardii 60 to 100 0 to 25 winter Vigorous  broad green foliage with pale cream flowers.
Iris pseudacorus Variegata 60 to 100 0 to 15 winter As Iris pseudacorus but has attractive green and yellow leaf variegations.
Iris sibirica 60 to 100 0 to 10 winter An attractive group of summer flowering irises. The blooms make good cut flowers and there are many good varieties in cultivation.
Iris versicolor Kermesina 60 to 100 0 to 25 winter The foliage is 2 to 3 cm wide and 50 to 60 cm long. Blue flower with spotted yellow throat.

Marginal plants 'J'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Juncus effusus. common rush; soft rush 30 to 120 0 to 25 winter Dark green stems and dark brown inflorescence.
Juncus effusus var. spiralis 25 to 45 0 to 10 winter Stems twisted throughout in a curious corkscrew manner.
Juncus ensifolius. sword leaved rush. 55 to 70 0 to 15 winter Bright green grass-like foliage, dark brown inflorescence.

Marginal plant 'L'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Lobelia fulgens 80 to 100 0 to 5 spring Purplish-red foliage and stalks bearing brilliant red flowers.
Lobelia siphilitica 45 to 90 0 to5 winter A handsome species with lanceolate, light green leaves and bright blue flowers each 2 cm long.
Lychnis flos-coculi. ragged robin 50 to 75 0 to 10 winter Ragged rose pink flowers.
Lysichiton americanus. skunk cabbage. 60 to 100 0 to 30 summer Bright yellow arum- shaped are followed by very large dark green leaves.
Lysichiton camtschatcensis 40 to 80 0 to 30 summer As Lysimachia americanus but with white flowers.
Lysimachia nummularia Aurea 10 to 25 0 to 15 spring As Lysimachia nummularia but with golden leaves and yellow flowers.
Lysimachia nummularia. creeping jenny 10 to 15 0 to 15 spring Creeping plant with glossy round leaves about 2 cm long. Bright golden cup shaped flowers.
Lysimachia thyrsiflora 50 to 70 5 to 20 winter An erect form of Lysimachia bearing dense heads of yellow flowers.
Lythrum salicaria 90 to 120 0 to 15 spring An native plant with small, reddish- purple blooms, mid green, lanceolate leaves.

Marginal plant 'M'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Description
Mentha aquatica. water mint 30 to 60 0 to 20 summer Egg-shaped serrated leaves with whorls of lilac flowers. Strong mint scent
Menyanthes trifoliate. buck bean 30 to 40 5 to 30 spring Trifoliate olive-green foliage. Delicate white flowers tipped with pink. A rambling plant suitable for hiding pool edges.
Mimulus Burgess 20 to 40 3 to 15 winter Serrated ovate leaves with yellow flowers that are excessively blotched with red.
Mimulus Calypso Hybrids  20 to 40 3 to 15 winter Multi-coloured flowers
Mimulus guttas 20 to 40 3 to 15 winter Serrated leaves with yellow flowers, heavily blotched with brown and purple.
Mimulus Hose-in-Hose 20 to 40 3 to 15 winter Yellow flowers one trumpet inside another.
Mimulus luteus. monkey musk 20 to 40 3 to 15 winter Serrated leaves with yellow flowers, variety marked with maroon and brown spots.
Mimulus luteus copper 20 to 40 0 to 15 winter Serrated leaves with copper-orange flowers.
Mimulus luteus Sunset 0 to 20 0 to 15 winter Dwarf type. Dark red flowers
Mimulus Queen Prize 0 to 20 0 to 15 winter Serrated ovate leaves with variable red and yellow mottled flowers.
Mimulus ringens 30 to 50 3 to 15 spring Longer and narrower leaves than the preceding varieties, but still serrated. Violet-blue flowers. 
Myosotis scorpioides. water forget-me not 20 to 30 15 to 40 winter Elongated, spoon-shaped, hairy leaves with clusters of small white blue flowers.
Myosotis scorpioides Mermaid 20 to 30 15 to 40 winter Thicker stems and darker foliage. The larger flowers are deep blue with yellow eye.
Myriophyllum aquaticum. parrot's feather 20 to 30 15 to 40 spring Very pale green feathery foliage with insignificant flowers. Strong creeping habit. Will not survive severe winter unless submerged in deep water.

Marginal plant 'N'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering Period Descriptions
Nymphoides peltata. Villarsia; water fringe   10 to 60 summer Pale green serrated leaves with purple blotching. A good surface cover plant having a profusion of bright yellow flowers

Marginal plant 'O'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering Period Descriptions
Orontium aquaticum. golden club 30 to 50 25 to 40 summer Velvety bluish-green leaves with a silvery underside. The beautiful yellow flowers appear on white stems.

Marginal plants 'P'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering Period Descriptions
Peltandra undulata green arrow arum 30 to 60 5 to 30 winter Firm, strongly veined, bright green leaves, also arrow-shaped. The green arum-shaped flowers are followed by green berries.
Petasites hybridus 100 to 125 0 to 5 summer Perennial with deep thick root like stem. Many pink flower heads. Wide leaves.
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta. reed canary grass 75 to 150 0 to 15 summer Grass type aquatic with green and white striped leaves.
Phalaris canariensis. canary grass 50 to 100 0 to 5 spring Similar to arundinacea but with yellow green leaves.
Phragmites australis. norfolk reed 180 to 300 0 to 50 summer A strong growing grass with broad, glossy leaves and heavy purple or violet plumes of flowers. Stems are used for thatching.
Pontederia cordata. pickerel weed 60 to 80 10 to 30 spring Heart-shaped green leaves with clusters of closely packed blue flowers borne on a spike.
Pontederia cordata var. Alba 60 to 80 10 to 30 spring White flowers as Pontederia cordata.
Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata 120 to 150 5 to 30 spring Longer flower spikes than Pontederia cordta and more lanceolate foliage

Marginal plant 'R'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Descriptions
Ranunculus acris Flore Pleno 20 to 40 0 to 15 winter Small yellow button like flowers
Ranunculus flammula. lesser spearwort 20 to 30 5 to 20 winter Small laceolate leaves with branching stems holding large numbers of small yellow buttercup-shaped flowers.
Ranunculus lingua Grandiflorus. great spearwort 60 to 90 10 to 30 winter Long ovate deep green leaves with buttercup-type flowers.
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 40 to 60 5 to 20 winter Dark green foliage and small white flowers.
Rumex hydrolpathum. great water dock 120 to 180 0 to 25 winter Bold, dark green dock-like leaves. Large flower spike
Rumex sanguineus. red veined dock 90 to 110 0 to 15 winter Green ovate leaves with bright red veins.

Marginal plant 'S'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Descriptions
Sagittaria latifolia. duck potato 40 to 120 5 to 40 winter Large arrow-shaped leaves. Clear white flowers about 3 cm across with dark centers.
Sagittaria sagittifolia. arrowhead 40 to 90 5 to 40 winter Three types of leaves are produced, linear submerged, oval floating and arrow-shaped emergent. The attractive white flowers have dark brown centers.
Sagittaria sagittifolia var. leucopetala 40 to 90 5 to 40 winter Arrow-shaped leaves, white flowers with yellow centers.
Sagittaria sagttifolia var. leucopetala Flore Pleno. double arrowhead 50 to 80 10 to 20 summer Very large white double closely packed flowers and narrow-shaped leaves.
Saururus cernuus lizard's tail 40 to 60 0 to 20 winter Green heart -shaped leaves with white pendulous flowers.
Scirpus angastifolius 30 to 50 3 to 10 summer Grass type foliage. Fluffy heads of white cotton-like flowers are carried on tall stems
Scirpus lacustris 100 to 200 5 to 40 winter Fat, dark green rush with clusters of chocolate brown flowers near the top of the stems.
Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani Albescens 90 to 120 5 to 30 winter Tall cylindrical foliage with green and white vertical variegations.
Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani Zebrinus. zebra rush 75 to 110 5 to 30 winter Cylindrical foliage with green and white horizontal stripes. Brown flowerheads.
Scrophularia auriculata. water figwort 60 to 90 0 to 15 winter Tall heart shaped nettle-like leaves on square stem.
Scrophularia auriculata Variegata 60 to 90 0 to 10 winter An outstanding plant with dark green leaves and bright cream variegations. Insignificant maroon flowers.
Sisyrinchium californicum 12 to 20 0 to5 winter Grassy foliage and umbellate clusters of bell-shaped, yellow flowers.
Sparganiun erectum. branched bur weed 60 to 100 5 to 40 winter Swamp and water plant with erect stem, stiff iris type leaves and branched flower stem.
Stachys palastris 60 to 120 0 to 15 winter A branched hairy plant with spikes of bright purple flowers.

Marginal plant 'T'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Descriptions
Typha angustifolia. reed mace 120 to 240 5 to 30 winter Long narrow shiny leaves with brown velvety flower spikes.
Typha latifolia. green reed mace 120 to 200 10 to 50 winter Long grassy leaves, flowers in close, cylindrical spike approx. 2 cm in diameter and 15-20 cm long.
Typha latifolia variegated 120 to 200 10 to 30 winter Long green and white variegated leaves, reed mace flowers.
Typha laxmanii 60 to 120 10 to 30 winter Slender plant with brown flower spike and narrow semi-cylindrical leaves.
Typha minima. miniature bull rush 40 to 60 5 to 20 winter Narrow round foliage with round, brown flowerheads.

Marginal plant 'V' and 'Z'

Name Mature height in cm Water depth over soil in cm Flowering period Descriptions
Veronica beccabunga. brooklime 20 to 30 0 to 15 summer A very prolific succulent plant with smooth ovate leaves and clusters of bright blue flowers.
Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough. arum lily 50 to 100 0 to 25 spring Glossy arrow-shaped leaves and large pure white fragrant arum flowers having a deep golden yellow spathe.

Source: Anglo Aquarium Plant catalogue (1993)