Water Garden Plants

Water garden plants are easier to grow than most gardeners realize.  If there’s adequate space, water garden should have a variety of plants.  There are three type of water plants available; submerged, floating and marginal. 

Submerged plants are those which root beneath the surface of the water and grow upwards toward the surface into the open air.  These types of water plants release their oxygen supply directly into the water, purifying the water in which they grow.  They’re often called oxygenating plants.

Growing submerged plants is simple.  In a water garden they’re grown in pots which are placed on the floor of the pool or pond.   Be sure to keep the plants in water as you prepare their containers.  Fill their pots with about 6 inches of sand leaving 2 inches of space from the top of the pot.  Make a hole in the sand about twice the diameter of the bunch of plants.  Set the plants in the hole and tamp down the sand around them.  Fill the remaining 2 inches of space in the pot with gravel. 

Floating plants do not root into the soil beneath the surface of the water; rather the roots hang from the plant.  These have specific shapes which allow them to float and move freely in the water.  Some are cupped shaped and others have pockets of within their foliage.

Floating plants are easier to grow than the submerged plants.  They require only at least part sun and warm water.  Often the challenge with floating plants is controlling their growth as they can be very vigorous growers.  Placing them in a pool or pond in the spring when the water reaches 70 degrees in all that's necessary.

Marginal plants are those which will thrive in wetland conditions; where there is constant standing water and saturated soil.  They provide form, texture, color and height to the water garden.  Plants such as the yellow ribbon iris.

Marginal plants are planted along the edge of ponds or in pots which are then placed beneath the water.  Without constant water these plants will fail to survive.  They also grow best in soil which does not compact easily.  Generally, a mix of 2 parts sand, 2 part peat moss and 1 part bark chips works well.  Before planting soak the soil then make a hole for the new plant.  Place the plant in the container and tamp the soil down around its base.  As with submerged plants, top the container with gravel.  It is recommended that these plants be contained in pots since they can be extremely vigorous and take over your garden.

The sound of running water and its reflective qualities add tranquility to a garden. The lushness of water gardens is possible due to the variety of the plants used.  Creating this lush quality is easy.  If fact, water garden plants among the easiest to grow in the garden.

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