Comprehensive List Of Marginal Aquatic Pond Plants

Some Of The Best Marginal Plants For Garden Ponds

Marginal Aquatic Plants

Marginal water plants, as the name suggest grow in shallow areas of your pond, in water up to 6 inches deep. They are appear in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall reeds and rushes to low growing ground cover plants.

These aquatic water plants are easy to plant. All you have to do is lower the crate or basket containing whichever marginals you have selected into the marginal shelves, around the perimeter of your water garden or fish pond. The image opposite shows a great way of planting marginals into a flexi liner pond.

On this page you will find a comprehensive list of marginal pond plants, including their Latin names, mature height and a short description, highlighting their color, appearance and shape.

Name Mature height (inch) Water depth over soil (inch) Flowering period Description
Acorus calamus Variegatus 20 to 31 1 to 6 summer Same as the above, but with green and cream vertical striped leaves.
Acorus calamus. sweet flag 24 to 39 0 to 6 summer Dark green iris-like with a small, insignificant green horn-shaped bloom. Aromatic rootstock.
Acorus gramineus var. gramineus 8 to 16 0 to 2 summer White-green striped lanceolate leaves.
Acorus gramineus Variegatus 10 to 14 0 to 2 summer Yellow green striped lanceolate leaves.
Acorus intermedius 14 to 18 0 to 4 summer Green lanceolate leaves.
Alisma parviflorum 16 to 14 2 to 10 summer Attractive round leaves.
Alisma plantago-aquaticum. great water plantain 16 to 31 0 to 8 summer Robust plant with broad, lanceolate long stemmed leaves and clusters of whitish-grey flowers.
Allium schoenoprasum 20 to 31 0 winter Grass like tubular, mid green leaves. Starry, rose pink flowers arranged in dense globular heads.
Aponogeton distachyos 4 to 24 4 to 30 summer Oval-shaped shaped leaves with brown spots. Sweetly scented snow-white waxy flowers with jet black anthers. Second flowering during mid winter.
Berula erecta. lesser water parsnip 12 to 24 0 to 4 July to September Narrow, irregularly serrate leaves. Tiny flowers.
Butomus umbellatus. flowering rush 24 to 39 1 to 10 winter Triangular sword shaped leaves, red in spring turning to dark green. Rose-pink flowers are produced in umbels.
Caltha palustris Plena 10 to 20 0 to 6 spring As Caltha Paustris, but with double yellow flowers. Frequently has a second flowering during late summer.
Caltha palustris var. alba 10 to 16 0 to 4 spring Slightly serrated dark green leaves with white single flowers.
Caltha palustris var. polypetala 24 to 35 2 to 10 spring Large serrated dark green foliage with large single yellow flowers.
Caltha palustris. marsh marigold; king cup 4 to 8 0 to 6 spring Slightly serrated dark green leaves with single yellow flowers.
Carex pseudocyperus 24 to 35 0 to 10 winter Bright green, grassy leaves with drooping, many dark green flowering spikelets.
Carex riparia Bowles Golden 4 to 8 3 to 8 winter Most decorative sedge for shallow water, with beautiful rich golden-yellow foliage.
Carex riparia Variegata. variegated pond sedge 4 to 8 3 to 8 winter A coarse grass with broad green and white leaves.
Carex riparia. great pond sedge 14 to 20 0 to 10 winter A coarse grass with broad leaves and brown spikelets.
Cella palustris. bog arum 6 to 10 1 to 10 winter A rambling plant with heart shaped leaves, arum-like white flowers followed by right red seed heads.
Cotula coronopifolia. brass buttons 8 to 16 0 to 8 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 24 to 47 1 to 10 summer Dark green grass like pendulous foliage with brown  flowers.
Dicchromena colorata. star grass 16 to 14 1 to 2 winter to spring An attractive green and white star-shaped cascade.
Equisetum hyemale 24 to 39 0 to 6   Thick bamboo types of stems, larger version of scirpoides.
Equisetum scirpoides 10 to 16 0 to 4   Attractive small spiky bamboo types stem.
Eupatorium cannabinum. hemp agrimony 24 to 47 0 to 4 spring Large mid-green, lanceolate leaves. Reddish stem with rounded terminal heads 10  to 12 cm across of the red purple florets.
Geum rivale. water avens 4 to 8 0 to 6 winter and spring Nodding bell shaped red flowers.
Glyceria aquatica. manna grass 20 to 31 4 to 16 winter A stout reed like grass with a branched panicle of greenish spikelets.
Glyceria maxima Variegata 12 to 24 1 to 10 winter Very vigorous plant with pinky red grass type foliage in spring, maturing later to yellow and white. Pendulous inflorescence.
Hippuris vulgaris. mares tail 10 to 12 1 to 6 winter Stems stand stiffly out of water, densely packed with whorls of narrow foliage.
Houttuynia cordata Chameleon 8 to 20 0 to 2 spring Red, yellow and green tricolor cordate leaves with red stems. Single white flowers.
Houttuynia cordata Plena 4 to 8 0 to 10 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 12 to 16 0 to 4 winter Creeping habit round crenate foliage. Small white flowers.
Iris ensata (Iris kaempferi) 24 to 35 0 to 4 winter Clematis flowered iris with colors varying through white, blue, red, violet and crimson, often with bold and elaborate markings
Iris laevigata 24 to 35 0 to 35 winter Dark foliage with rich blue flowers. It is probably the best iris for garden ponds.
Iris laevigata Colchesterensis 24 to 35 0 to 8 winter Blue and white flowers.
Iris laevigata hybrids 24 to 31 0 to 6 winter Flower colors range from ark blue to white.
Iris laevigata Snowdrift 24 to 35 0 to 10 winter As iris laevigata but with superb large white blooms having six petals.
Iris laevigata Variegata 20 to 24 1 to 4 winter Bright green and white foliage with blue flowers. Sometimes rather difficult to establish.
Iris pseudacorus Flore Pleno 24 to 39 0 to 10 winter Bright yellow double flowers.
Iris pseudacorus var. bastardii 24 to 39 0 to 10 winter Vigorous  broad green foliage with pale cream flowers.
Iris pseudacorus Variegata 24 to 39 0 to 6 winter As Iris pseudacorus but has attractive green and yellow leaf variegations.
Iris pseudacorus. yellow flag 24 to 39 0 to 10 winter Vigorous iris with broad green foliage and bright yellow flowers.
Iris sibirica 24 to 39 0 to 4 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 24 to 39 0 to 10 winter The foliage is 2 to 3 cm wide and 50 to 60 cm long. Blue flower with spotted yellow throat.
Juncus effusus var. spiralis 10 to 18 0 to 4 winter Stems twisted throughout in a curious corkscrew manner.
Juncus effusus. common rush; soft rush 12 to 47 0 to 10 winter Dark green stems and dark brown inflorescence.
Juncus ensifolius. sword leaved rush. 22 to 28 0 to 6 winter Bright green grass-like foliage, dark brown inflorescence.
Lobelia fulgens 31 to 39 0 to 2 spring Purplish-red foliage and stalks bearing brilliant red flowers.
Lobelia siphilitica 18 to 35 0 to 2 winter A handsome species with lanceolate, light green leaves and bright blue flowers each 2 cm long.
Lychnis flos-coculi. ragged robin 20 to 30 0 to 4 winter Ragged rose pink flowers.
Lysichiton americanus. skunk cabbage. 24 to 39 0 to 12 summer Bright yellow arum- shaped are followed by very large dark green leaves.
Lysichiton camtschatcensis 16 to 31 0 to 12 summer As Lysimachia americanus but with white flowers.
Lysimachia nummularia Aurea 4 to 10 0 to 6 spring As Lysimachia nummularia but with golden leaves and yellow flowers.
Lysimachia nummularia. creeping jenny 4 to 6 0 to 6 spring Creeping plant with glossy round leaves about 2 cm long. Bright golden cup shaped flowers.
Lysimachia thyrsiflora 20 to 28 2 to 8 winter An erect form of Lysimachia bearing dense heads of yellow flowers.
Lythrum salicaria 14 to 19 0 to 6 spring An native plant with small, reddish- purple blooms, mid green, lanceolate leaves.
Mentha aquatica. water mint 12 to 24 0 to 8 summer Egg-shaped serrated leaves with whorls of lilac flowers. Strong mint scent.
Menyanthes trifoliate. buck bean 12 to 16 2 to 12 spring Trifoliate olive-green foliage. Delicate white flowers tipped with pink. A rambling plant suitable for hiding pool edges.
Mimulus Burgess 8 to 16 1 to 6 winter Serrated ovate leaves with yellow flowers that are excessively blotched with red.
Mimulus Calypso Hybrids  8 to 16 1 to 6 winter Multi colored flowers.
Mimulus guttas 8 to 16 1 to 6 winter Serrated leaves with yellow flowers, heavily blotched with brown and purple.
Mimulus Hose-in-Hose 8 to 16 1 to 6 winter Yellow flowers one trumpet inside another.
Mimulus luteus copper 8 to 16 0 to 6 winter Serrated leaves with copper-orange flowers.
Mimulus luteus. monkey musk 8 to 16 1 to 6 winter Serrated leaves with yellow flowers, variety marked with maroon and brown spots.
Mimulus ringens 4 to 8 1 to 6 spring Longer and narrower leaves than the preceding varieties, but still serrated. Violet-blue flowers. 
Myosotis scorpioides Mermaid 8 to 12 12 to 16 winter Thicker stems and darker foliage. The larger flowers are deep blue with yellow eye.
Myosotis scorpioides. water forget-me not 8 to 12 12 to 16 winter Elongated, spoon shaped, hairy leaves with clusters of small white blue flowers.
Myriophyllum aquaticum. parrot's feather 8 to 12 12 to 16 spring Very pale green feathery foliage with insignificant flowers. Strong creeping habit. Will not survive severe winter unless submerged in deep water.
Orontium aquaticum. golden club 4 to 8 10 to 16 summer Velvety bluish-green leaves with a silvery underside. The beautiful yellow flowers appear on white stems.
Peltandra undulata green arrow arum 12 to 24 2 to 12 winter Firm, strongly veined, bright green leaves, also arrow-shaped. The green arum-shaped flowers are followed by green berries.
Petasites hybridus 39 to 49 0 to 2 summer Perennial with deep thick root like stem. Many pink flower heads. Wide leaves.
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta. reed canary grass 30 to 59 0 to 6 summer Grass type aquatic with green and white striped leaves.
Phalaris canariensis. canary grass 20 to 39 0 to 2 spring Similar to arundinacea but with yellow green leaves.
Phragmites australis. norfolk reed 71 to 118 0 to 20 summer A strong growing grass with broad, glossy leaves and heavy purple or violet plumes of flowers. Stems are used for thatching.
Pontederia cordata var. Alba 24 to 31 4 to 12 spring White flowers as Pontederia cordata.
Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata 47 to 59 2 to 12 spring Longer flower spikes than Pontederia cordta and more foliage.
Pontederia cordata. pickerel weed 24 to 31 4 to 12 spring Heart-shaped green leaves with clusters of closely packed blue flowers borne on a spike.
Ranunculus acris Flore Pleno 8 to 16 0 to 6 winter Small yellow button like flowers
Ranunculus flammula. lesser spearwort 8 to 12 2 to 8 winter Small lanceolate leaves with branching stems holding large numbers of small yellow buttercup-shaped flowers.
Ranunculus lingua Grandiflorus. great spearwort 24 to 35 4 to 12 winter Long ovate deep green leaves with buttercup type flowers.
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 16 to 14 2 to 8 winter Dark green foliage and small white flowers.
Rumex hydrolpathum. great water dock 47 to 71 0 to 10 winter Bold, dark green dock like leaves with a large flower spike.
Rumex sanguineus. red veined dock 35 to 43 0 to 6 winter Green ovate leaves with bright red veins.
Sagittaria latifolia. duck potato 16 to 47 2 to 16 winter Large arrow-shaped leaves. Clear white flowers about 3 cm across with dark centers.
Sagittaria sagittifolia var. leucopetala 16 to 35 2 to 16 winter Arrow-shaped leaves, white flowers with yellow centers.
Sagittaria sagittifolia. arrowhead 16 to 35 2 to 16 winter Three types of leaves are produced, linear submerged, oval floating and arrow-shaped emergent. The attractive white flowers have dark brown centers.
Sagittaria sagttifolia var. leucopetala Flore Pleno. double arrowhead 20 to 31 10 to 8 summer Very large white double closely packed flowers and narrow-shaped leaves.
Saururus cernuus lizard's tail 16 to 14 0 to 8 winter Green heart -shaped leaves with white pendulous flowers.
Scirpus angastifolius 4 to 8 1 to 4 summer Grass type foliage. Fluffy heads of white cotton-like flowers are carried on tall stems
Scirpus lacustris 39 to 79 2 to 16 winter Fat, dark green rush with clusters of chocolate brown flowers near the top of the stems.
Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani Albescens 14 to 19 2 to 12 winter Tall cylindrical foliage with green and white vertical variegations.
Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani Zebrinus. zebra rush 30 to 43 2 to 12 winter Cylindrical foliage with green and white horizontal stripes. Brown flower heads.
Scrophularia auriculata Variegata 24 to 35 0 to 4 winter An outstanding plant with dark green leaves and bright cream variegations. Insignificant maroon flowers.
Scrophularia auriculata. water figwort 24 to 35 0 to 6 winter Tall heart shaped nettle-like leaves on square stem.
Sisyrinchium californicum 4 to 8 0 to 2 winter Grassy foliage and umbellate clusters of bell-shaped, yellow flowers.
Sparganiun erectum. branched bur weed 24 to 39 2 to 16 winter Swamp and water plant with erect stem, stiff iris type leaves and branched flower stem.
Stachys palastris 24 to 47 0 to 6 winter A branched hairy plant with spikes of bright purple flowers.
Typha angustifolia. reed mace 47 to 94 2 to 12 winter Long narrow shiny leaves with brown velvety flower spikes.
Typha latifolia variegated 47 to 79 4 to 12 winter Long green and white variegated leaves, reed mace flowers.
Typha latifolia. green reed mace 47 to 79 4 to 20 winter Long grassy leaves, flowers in close, cylindrical spike approx. 2 cm in diameter and 15-20 cm long.
Typha laxmanii 24 to 47 4 to 12 winter Slender plant with brown flower spike and narrow semi-cylindrical leaves.
Typha minima. miniature bull rush 16 to 14 2 to 8 winter Narrow round foliage with round, brown flower heads.
Veronica beccabunga. brooklime 8 to 12 0 to 6 summer A very prolific succulent plant with smooth ovate leaves and clusters of bright blue flowers.
Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough. arum lily 20 to 39 0 to 10 spring Glossy arrow-shaped leaves and large pure white fragrant arum flowers having a deep golden yellow spate.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the exact plant species that you are looking for. By clicking the following link you will be able to see a comprehensive list of water garden plants showing both their English and Latin plant names to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

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