Water is a fascinating element in nature and in
the designed landscape. It can be still and
reflective, trickle quietly from a soothing
fountain or cascade brightly down a waterfall.
Water provides texture, movement and sound and
serves as the perfect canvas for a wonderful
group of plants.
As far as plant selection goes, a few basic
descriptions will get you going in the right
direction.
Types of Aquatic Plants
The most successful water gardens have a range
of depths throughout the pool because some
plants grow at very shallow levels while other
plants need to be placed several feet deep.
Plants that grow in water gardens are classified
into three groups. Using plants from all three
groups will keep your water garden in biological
balance by providing oxygen to the water as well
as food and shelter for the animals that share
your pond.
Canna grow in very moist soil and in shallow
water.
Marginal and Emergent
In nature, marginal plants are found along the
edges of a pond or in shallow bogs where the
roots are attached to the muddy bottom. These
plants are often called emergents because
portions of their stems grow above water. Common
examples include canna, cattail, iris and
arrowhead. Marginal plants usually grow in water
1 - 6 inches deep. After planting in a
container, place the container on top of a block
or a shelf to put it at the correct water depth.
Floaters
Floaters grow further from the edge, between
shallow and deep water. These plants have leaves
that float on the surface instead of below or
above the surface.
Water lilies love full sun and calm water.
Their floating leaves provide shade that
helps control algae growth.
Plant enough floaters to cover 50 to 75 percent
of the surface area of the pond, or
approximately one for every 10 square feet of
surface area. There are dwarf varieties for
container gardens. Floaters will cover the
surface of the water to a point that will limit
the amount of light reaching the depths of the
pond which will deter algae growth.
Some floaters, such as water lilies, have roots
that attach to the bottom of the pond with
underwater stems ending in leaves and flowers
that float on the surface. Water lilies grow
best when the top of the container is 12 - 18
inches below the water's surface. Other
floaters, such as Pistia or water
lettuce, do not have roots to anchor them. They
just float freely on the water's surface.
Submerged
A third group of plants grow completely
submerged under the surface of the water. They
are often referred to as oxygenators. These
plants help combat algae by consuming excess
nutrients. They also provide cover for fish and
produce oxygen during daylight hours. Roots of
these plants are not used for nutrient or water
uptake, but only for anchorage. Because of this,
many oxygenators may be potted in gravel.
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