Arrowhead
(Sagittaria)

Hardy

Arrow-shaped leaves, flowers during summer.  Grows in full sun to partial shade; thrives in shade. Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 8" water; leaves must be above water. Can grow from 8" - 3' in height.  Many types available.

Bulrush

Hardy

Slender plant with brown pokers for flowers.  Vigorous grower suitable for larger ponds. Must be potted, due to its invasive nature.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf with a maximum of 2" of water above the pot rim.

Bur-reed

Hardy

Slender leaves with round prickly seedheads from mid-summer to early Fall.  Vigorous grower suitable for larger ponds.  Grows 2' - 3' in height.  Must be potted, due to its invasive nature. Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 3" - 5" water.

Cattail
(Typha)

Hardy

Resembles a bulrush; velvety brown flowers.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 1' water.  Grows in full sun to partial shade. Vigorous grower; will easily reach 4'.  Miniature Cattail grows to a height of 2'.

Cypress Sedge

Hardy

Green slender leaved plant with green soft prickly flowerheads hanging from stalks during summer.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 4" water. Can grow 1 - 3' in height.  Grows in partial shade; thrives in full shade.

Floating Heart

Hardy

3" round green/maroon variegated leaves which trail water and send out runners.  Yellow five-petalled flowers from late Spring through Fall.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 4" - 12" water.  Grows in full sun to partial shade.

Flowering Rush
(Butomus umbellatus)

Hardy

Grassy leaves with white and pink flowers in late spring and summer.  Grows in full sun or partial shade; thrives in shade.  Will reach 2' in height. Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 10" water.

Horsetail

Hardy

Grassy leaves with small brown cones at joints. From the cone sprouts a small brown tuft resembling a tiny horsetail. Grows in partial sun; prefers shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf with up to 2" of water above pot rim.

Japanese Water Iris

Hardy

Blue and yellow 4" flowers in June. May flower again in September. Trim off spent blooms. Blue Iris can grow to a height of 2'; yellow to 3', in sun or partial shade. Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 4" water.

Lotus

Hardy

Large round green leaves 2 - 3' across.  10" blooms are spectacular, fragrant and last up to four days. Requires full sun for good  blooming and a large pond.  Range of colors available.  Plant in a large pot & fertilize following the same method as for water lilies. Sink pot 2" - 6" below water surface.

Manna Grass

Hardy

Green leaves variegated with yellow/white stripes; grass flower heads.  Vigorous grower. Divide clumps in spring.  Can grow to a height of 2 - 3' in sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.

Marsh Marigold
(Caltha)

Hardy

Prolific bright yellow 2" flowers in mid-spring; one of the first aquatic plants to flower following winter.  Can grow to 1' in sun or shade; will thrive in shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf with up to 2" water above the rim of the pot.  Also a double variety available.

Pickeral Rush

Hardy

Shiny green lance-shaped foliage; purple/ blue blooms from summer through fall.  Can grow to a height of 2 - 3' in full sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 1' water.

Sweet Flag

Hardy

Sword-shaped leaves which may be entirely green or variegated with cream stripes. Leaves emit sweet fragrance when crushed.  Flowers mid-summer; brown cone-shaped and insignificant.  Can grow to a height of 2 - 3' in sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf with 3 - 6" water above pot rim.

Water Plantain

Hardy

Oval-shaped green leaves, with three-petalled tiny pale pink flowers on long stalks during summer.  Trim off spent blooms.  Can grow to a height of 2 - 3'.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 3 - 6" water.

Chinese Water Chestnut

Tropical

Grown for edible tubers.   Fragile round green stems reach 20" long.  Plant in clay and place on pond  shelf in 3 - 6" water.  Treat as an annual.

Umbrella Palm
(Cyperus alternifolius)

Tropical

Green lance-shaped leaves which radiate from top of stems, with brown/reddish flower heads.  Can grow to 3' in height.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 3 - 5" of water. Vigorous grower; may need thinning.  Dwarf variety is also an attractive, marginal plant growing up to 2' in height.  Can be overwintered.

Moneywort

Tropical

Green round leaves 1 - 2" across, with small white seedhead flowers.  Grows via runners.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 8" water.  Treat as an annual.

Papyrus
(Cyperus)

Tropical

Tall green stems and green feathery tops, with wheat-colored flowers.  Grow in full sun or partial shade; can reach 6 - 10'. Dwarf variety will reach 2' in height.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.  Can be overwintered.

Parrot's Feather

Tropical

Green needle-like feathery leaves which float below the water surface, with stem tips curving a few inches above the water surface.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 4 - 12" water.  Can be overwintered.

Spider Lily

Tropical

Sweetly scented white spider-like flowers which bloom in spring and summer.  Grow in full sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.  Can be overwintered.

Taro

Tropical

Huge arrow-shaped dark green foliage on red and green stemmed varieties. Maroon & green leaves on Imperial variety.  May grow to 3' tall in full sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 10" water.  Can be overwintered.

Water Canna

Tropical

Swordlike green stems will reach 4' tall. Stunning flowers in red, yellow, orange and pink.  Grows in full sun.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.  Can be overwintered.

Water Clover
(Marsilea quadrifolia)

Tropical

Green clover leaves with reddish highlights & small white flowers. Trail across water surface rooting where they can, and does well in shade. Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in 1 - 3" water.  Treat as an annual.

Water Poppy
(Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)

Tropical

Glossy round green leaves 2 - 3" across with deep yellow three-petalled flowers measuring 2".  Giant water poppy has larger leaves (4 - 5") Flowers often, though blooms only last a day.  Spreads via runners and trails across the water.  Grow in full sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.  Treat as an annual.

Water Primrose

Tropical

Bright green foliage covers very long stems.  Yellow flowers measure 3/4", and blooms in spring.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 2" water.  Treat as an annual.

Water Snowflake
(Nympholdes)

Tropical

Tiny fluffy white or yellow flowers held about 1" above the water. White snowflake leaves are green with chestnut markings; yellow are chocolate-brown with green veins.  Ideal for miniature ponds; prefers shallow water.  Grow in full sun or partial shade.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water.  Treat as an annual.

Watercress

Tropical

Prefers moving water, especially waterfalls.  Leaves can be eaten; best during Spring and Fall.  To plant, wrap the roots around small anchoring rocks and place around the waterfall. It is a rapid grower. Treat as an annual.

Bog Arum
(Calla palustris)

Tropical

Low growing with round leaves & white oval petal that wraps a spathe-like flower.  Blooms in late summer  Grows in partial shade to 12" in height.  Plant in clay and place on pond shelf in up to 6" water. Can be overwintered.