Shallow Water Plants

Marginal plants. You know that uncomfortable feeling when you're neither dry nor soaked? That is the perfect condition for these plants-moist! They thrive on the surrounding area of your pond called the "Margins." This area is generally where flooding occurs and can be either completely covered with water or slightly damp. Some are beautifully colored or uniquely shaped. They create the widest range in Aquatic plants.



Acorus Calamus 'Variegatus' - Variegated Sweet Flag

ZONE 4 - 2' to 3' - Beautiful green and cream striped foliage persists all summer. Leaves are sweet scented when broken. Once used underfoot in doorways to create a welcoming aroma.

Aeschynomene Fluitans -
Giant Sensitive Fern

ZONE 8 - 6" to 10" - Flowers in August, September. Yellow Sweetpea-like flowers. Foliage closes slowly when touched.

Bacopa Caroliniana -
Lemon Bacopa

ZONE 8 - 2" to 6" - Flowers June, July, August, September - Dense green foliage is covered with delicate blue blossoms that persist all summer. Intense lemon scented foliage.


ZONE 8 - 2' - Stiff, dark green sword-kike foliage with vertical bright yellow striped and cylindrical habit. Semi-evergreen. Tolerates full sun to part shade.

Canna 'Bengal Tiger'

ZONE 8 - 4' to 5' - Flowers June, July, August - Brilliant yellow splashes decorate the broad canna leaves for constant summer display. Beautiful orange flowers.

Colocasia Esculenta 'Black Magic'-Black Taro

ZONE 8 - 4' - Incredible dusty charcoal black leaves on dark burgundy, almost black stems

Canna 'Endeavour' -
Red Hybrid Longwood Canna

ZONE 8 - 4' to 5' - Flowers June, July, August - a true aquatic canna developed by Robert Armstrong. The best of the best in canna's. Long blooming.


Canna 'Ra' -
Yellow Hybrid Longwood Canna

ZONE 8 - 4' to 5' - Flowers June, July, August - a true aquatic canna developed by Robert Armstrong. The best of the best in canna's. Long blooming.

Colocasia Antiquorum 'Illustris'-Imperial Taro

ZONE 8 - 2' to 3' - Large green leaves blotched with violet black.

Cyperus Alternifolius 'Gracilis'-
Dwarf Umbrella Palm

ZONE 8 - 2' to 3' - A smaller, narrow leaved version of umbrella palm. More erect habit. Compact and easy to grow. Well suited to any size pond.

Cyperus Papyrus -
Egyptian Papyrus

ZONE 8 - 8' - Stiff triangular stems present attractive "brooms" of needle-like foliage. The heavy flower clusters cause the stems to weep gracefully.

Crinum Americanum -
Bog Lily

ZONE 8 - 2' - Blooms on and off throughout the summer months. Large bulbs produce narrow leaves and thick flower stalks that present exquisite pure white blossoms. Very fragrant.

Cyperus alternifolius 'Gracilis'-
Dwarf Umbrella Palm

ZONE 8 - 2' to 3' - A smaller, narrow leaved version of umbrella palm. More erect habit. Compact and easy to grow. Well suited to any size pond.


Cyperus haspan -
Dwarf Papyrus

ZONE 9 - 1' to 2' - Dense tufts of foliage above stiff stems. Golden-green flowers turn a rusty bronze in late summer.

Dichromena colorata -
Star Grass

ZONE 8 - 1' to 2' - Flowers June, July, August, September - Narrow leaves atop needle-like stems unfold to reveal white star-shaped flowers that persist throughout the summer.


Dulichium arundinaceum -
Dwarf Bamboo

ZONE 6 - 18" - Flowers July, August - With compact bamboo-like foliage this plant is excellent for foreground or border planting.

Equisetum hyemale -
Horsetail

ZONE 5 - 3' - Jointed stems, very distinctive. Cylindrical habit when grown in a container. Semi-evergreen. Tolerates some shade. Prefers very shallow water to moist soil.


Hibiscus 'Fantasia'

Zone 4 - 3' to 4' - Flowers July, August. Very compact plant with maple like leaves. Produces a profusion of large pink/lavender colored blooms. Patented.


Iris Pseudacorus -
Yellow Flag Iris

ZONE 4 - 3' to 4' This outstanding European species produces masses of brilliant canary yellow blossoms that stand well above the tall erect foliage. Flowers April, May.


Houttuynia Cordata
'Variegata'

ZONE 6 - 6" to 12" - Flowers May, June - Multicolored red, blue-green and yellow heart-shaped leaves. White flowers. Leaf colors vary with the amount of sunlight. Prefers part shade.

Hydrocotyle Verticillata -
Water Pennywort

ZONE 6 - 6" - The small upstanding round foliage of this unique variety makes a great addition to any pond or water garden. Excellent for streams and areas of swiftly moving water.

Iris 'Black Gamecock'

ZONE 4 - Louisiana Iris 2' to 3' Striking midnight purple blossoms perch high atop graceful medium green foliage. The dark flowers are highly visible from a distance. Flowers in April.

Juncus glauca -
Blue Rush

ZONE 5 - 1' to 2' Pinpoint blue-gray needles form a dense and uniform clump. Semi-evergreen. Takes some shade.


Iris versicolor -
Blue Flag Iris

ZONE 4 - 2' Delicate violet blossoms rise gracefully above sword-like foliage. Small stature makes it good for patio gardens and natural filters. North American native. Flowers in April.

Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'-
Corkscrew Rush

ZONE 5 - 1' - Flowers May, June - Very unusual dark green corkscrew stems. Creates a mound of unique foliage texture.

Justicia americana -
Water Willow

ZONE 4 - 12" to 18" Flowers July, August - White flowers are decorated with purple and resemble orchid flowers. The open foliage is similar to the narrow leaves of the willow.

Marsilea mutica -
Variegated Four Leaf Water Clover

ZONE 7 - 6" - Floating leaves with a distinctive pattern of green, yellow and red. An excellent plant for beginners and our best selling clover.

Mentha aquatica var. crispa -
Curly Mint

ZONE 6 - 1' - Flowers August, September - This plant makes an excellent transition plant with it's ruffled, textured leaves and delicate pink flower tufts.

Myriophyllum aquaticum -
Parrot Feather

ZONE 6 - 6" - Feathery medium-green foliage grows above and below the surface. Softens the hard edge of the pond. Spreading habit makes this excellent for new ponds.

Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo' - Variegated Water Celery

ZONE 6 - 1' to 2' - Flowers July, August - Bright pink, green and white foliage. Pink is outstanding in the spring and fall. Edible and great for soups, salads, etc.


Peltandra virginica -
Arrow Arum

ZONE 5 - 2' to 3' - An attractive plant with glossy dark green arrow-shaped foliage. North American native. Tolerates some shade. Easy to grow, consistent and uniform.

Phragmites australis aurea - Variegated Dwarf Common Reed

ZONE 5 - 3' to 4' - Flowers August - This striking specimen adds interest and color with bright yellow and green striped leaves. Delicate and upright.

Ruellia brittoniana -
Blue Bells

ZONE 8 - 2' to 3' - Flowers July, August, September - Delightful blue trumpet-shaped flowers persist throughout the summer. Dark purple-green foliage for contrast.

Pontederia dilatata -
Royal Pickerel

ZONE 7 - 4' to 5' - Flowers July, August, September - Dense tall blue flowers. Foliage is upright and superb in every characteristic. May be hardy to Zone 6 or colder.

Ruellia brittoniana 'Chi Chi'-
Soft Pink Blue Bell version

ZONE 8 - 2' to 3' - Flowers July, August, September - A soft pink flowering version of Blue Bells with the same nice dark purple-green foliage.

Saururus cernuus -
Lizard's Tail

ZONE 4 - 1' to 3' - Flowers July - Delicate cream colored blossoms. Unique seed formation. Tolerates shade. North American native.

Sagittaria latifolia -
Arrowhead

ZONE 4 - 2' - Flowers July, August- Strong, wide arrow-shaped foliage. Delicate white flowers with bright yellow centers. North American native.

Scirpus lacustris ssp. taber.
'Zebrinus' - Zebra Rush

ZONE 5 - 4' - Bold green and white banded foliage make this plant truly unique. Variegation may fade as summer progresses.

Thalia dealbata
- Water Canna

ZONE 7 - 6' - Flowers July, August, September - Bold dramatic foliage. Rich purple flowers atop narrow spikes sway gracefully in the breeze.


Typha laxmannii -
Graceful Cattail

ZONE 3 - 4' - Flowers May, June - Slender pale-green leaves. Small narrow pokers. Dense, lush growing habit. Popular. Best suited to the medium sized pond.

Typha minima -
Micro-Miniature Cattail

ZONE 3 - 1' to 2'- Flowers May, June - Masses of 1" cattails sit atop very narrow blue-green foliage. Compact growing habit. A great seller.

Zephyranthes candida - Rain Lily

ZONE 7 - 1' - Flowers August, September - A small, profuse, ornamental bulb that produces white blooms above the green needle-like leaves. Semi-evergreen.