How to Select Plants for a Water Garden or Fish Pond

Pond Plant Types ...

Use the simple sketches to see how the different types of plants behave in the water Not every pond can have a wide variety of plants but every pond should have at least one water lily and some oxygenator plants. A list of plants available online is also shown below.

6 Different Types of Pond Plants

Take a close look at these sketches. You will notice that each small sketch shows the bottom of the pond and the pond surface. The plants are classified as to how they behave in relation to the pond bottom and the surface (eg protrude a lot, a bit or not at all).

Types aquatic plants 1 to 3 behave as in these 3 sketches above.

water plants types 4 to 6

Types of aquatic plants numbered 4 to 6 grow as shown in the sketches to the left.

Waterlilies are type 1. Also called Lotus or Nymphaea. Wide variety of flower colours. Some fragrant. Waterlilies are type 1. Deep water aquatic plants that root strongly in bottom of pond. Leaves float on water surface.

Oxygenators are type 2 and normally submersed. If you look carefully on sunny days you will see bubbles of oxygen attached to the leaves. Totally submerged aquatic plants. These water plants can never exist out of water. They root or float rootless under water.

Floating plants are self explanatory and are type 3. They drift on the pond surface and in large water expanses have become serious problem. These aquatic plants are small to medium and move freely in the pond.

Partly emerging plants (from the surface) are type 4. Pond plants like these root into mud and show strong growth and flowers project out of the water.

Marginals are type 5. They enjoy shallow edge plantings. Many have beautiful flowers ... see below. Do not let these plants dry out.

Bog plants water plants: type 6. These like wet feet or boggy ground. Wet mud is all that is required to grow.

Image	Link to Plant at Store
	Dwarf Cattail: Typha minima is perfect for small water garden ponds and containers such a half barrel tubs. This dwarf cattail grows to less than 2' tall, making it extremely well suited to small garden ponds or container gardens! Distinctive rounded brown seed heads sit atop blue-green foliage. Even survives very low temperatures! Click to buy
	King Tut Papyrus: Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut'. An ideal water garden marginal or bog garden plant. King Tut Papyrus is an outstanding aquatic for use in your garden pond! King Tut Papyrus is also known as the umbrella plant because of its eye-catching green bracts bend over. King Tut Papyrus will grow well in both full sun or partial shade. This aquatic plant can be planted directly into water or rich, moist soil (bog). The plant is hardy down to 25 degrees F. It can be taken indoors for the winter. Click to Buy
	Sweet Flag Water Grass: Acorus calamus. Sweet Flag Water Grass is a popular water grass that has long narrow leaves. The leaves have a strong sweet smell when crushed in the hand. The iris-like foliage is dramatic in ponds or for edging around pots. Sweet Flag Water Grass sports yellow-green flowers in summer. Shade tolerant and hardy in zones 4-11. Click to Buy
	Iris:, Louisiana 'Black Gamecock': The Louisiana 'Black Gamecock' Iris is one of the most adaptable Irises that can grow under almost any condition. This plant is a native of wetlands and can be grown in water gardens. Fortunately for most of us, the Louisiana 'Black Gamecock' Iris is easily adaptable to normal growing conditions. Huge, 4" velvety-black blooms surround yellow markings. Grows to 24". Zones 4-10. Click to Buy.
	Juncus 'Big Twister': Unique twisting and turning upright spirals! One of a kind grass loves to be planted in wet soil conditions. Makes a perfect addition to water gardens. Can be planted in shallow water (up to 6" deep). Prefers hot, sunny conditions. Grows 18-24". Click to Buy.
	Houttuynia, The chameleon plant : Houttuynia cordata "Chameleon"... Here's your opportunity to grow something your friends and neighbors don't already have. Only recently have there been quantities sufficient enough to offer it to customers. The Houttuynia has exotic, chameleon-shaped leaves -- a bright blend of greens, bronze, and yellows. It has white flowers in early summer. Grows 6 to 9 inches. The Houttuynia is a brightly colored plant that is very popular in the Orient. It is easy to grow. Thrives almost anywhere. Order this Oriental beauty with its rainbow coloring and easy grow ability today!. Click to Buy
	Globeflower: Trollius chinensis 'Golden Queen' ... A colorful waterside addition! Extremely large, golden-orange buttercup summertime flowers make Golden Queen an outstanding perennial. Plants are excellent for waterside areas or bog gardens. Can be planted in other areas as long as it is kept constantly moist. Grows to 30" tall Prefers sun to partial shade. Zones 3-7. Click to Buy.
	Marsh Marigold: Caltha palustris. Excellent pond plant too! Marsh Marigold produces beautiful masses of flowers that resemble double marigolds from mid-spring through early-summer. An excellent planting at the edge of a pond. Can also be planted in water at a depth of no more than 4". Requires full sun. Zones 3-10. We send number one plants. Click to Buy.
	Water Lily Collection: These water lilies were specially chosen for their superior qualities of hardiness, vivid color and long blooming season. They will provide your pond with color all summer long for many years. All four varieties are winter hardy to -30 degrees and can remain in ponds during the winter where the water does not freeze to the level of the plant. They are easily stored for winter in colder climates. All bloom from June to September. Water depth for all varieties is 18-24". Planting instructions included. This collection includes 1 each of Yellow, White, Pink and Red water lilies. Click to Buy.
	Water Lily, Red: Nymphaea ' Attraction' ... Specially chosen for their superior qualities of hardiness, vivid color and long blooming season. House of Wesley's Water Lilies will provide your pond with color all summer long for many years. All varieties are winter hardy to -30 degrees and can remain in ponds during the winter where the water does not freeze to the level of the plant. They are easily stored for winter in colder climates. All bloom from June to September. Water depth is 18-24". Click to Buy.
	Water Lily, Yellow: Nymphaea ' Sulphurea'... Specially chosen for their superior qualities of hardiness, vivid color and long blooming season. House of Wesley's Water Lilies will provide your pond with color all summer long for many years. All varieties are winter hardy to -30 degrees and can remain in ponds during the winter where the water does not freeze to the level of the plant. They are easily stored for winter in colder climates. All bloom from June to September. Water depth is 18-24". Summer splash of creamy yellow flowers that stay open much later in the afternoon than other varieties. Cup shaped flowers measure 2-6" across. Very free flowering. "> Click to Buy.
">	Water Lily, White: Nymphaea 'mariacea Albida'... Top performer in the water! Specially chosen for their superior qualities of hardiness, vivid color and long blooming season. House of Wesley's Water Lilies will provide your pond with color all summer long for many years. All varieties are winter hardy to -30 degrees and can remain in ponds during the winter where the water does not freeze to the level of the plant. They are easily stored for winter in colder climates. All bloom from June to September. Water depth is 18-24". Click to Buy.
	Water Lily, Pink: Nymphaea 'Fabio'... Specially chosen for their superior qualities of hardiness, vivid color and long blooming season. House of Wesley's Water Lilies will provide your pond with color all summer long for many years. All varieties are winter hardy to -30 degrees and can remain in ponds during the winter where the water does not freeze to the level of the plant. They are easily stored for winter in colder climates. All bloom from June to September. Water depth is 18-24". Once this pink beauty starts to bloom, it doesn't stop. Selected because it usually blooms with several flowers at one time. Slightly fragrant. Click to Buy.

Buy range of gorgeous water lilies from Bradshaws in UK and if you live in USA you can buy live fish and a wide range of pond plants from Drs Foster and Smith. Just click these links Pond Plants and Pond Fish

A few selected plants for your pond ...

Marginal Plants ...

The Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris and all the species and varieties) are wonderful plants with superb flowers in spring and a bit longer too.

The Water Forgetmenot (Myosotis palustris) is great for that splash of blue around the pond.

The Golden Club (Oronitium aquaticum) is another favourite.

American Skunk Cabbage is a good spring candidate ... Lysichiton Americanum,

Deep Water Plants

The Water Hawthorn, Aponogeton distachyos, is an amazing plants that comes up from a depth. It is a South African plant that has adapted well to coller climates and will flower well.

It is very difficult to find a summary of pond plants. It is even more difficult to find out in a table form what colour (if any) the flower is and whether they like sun or shade. Finding size when fully grown is also a challenge .... so I have done the hard work for you.

If you want to buy other types of plants for your US garden then Nature Hills is an excellent online source for a wide range of plants, trees, shrubs and seeds..