Hardy Marginal Plants
< prev | next >
Chameleon Plant
Houttuynia Cordata - Hardy zones 5-11. Native to Japan, Taiwan and India. Grows best in moist soil to 2” of water. It has heart shaped leaves that are variegated with maroon-purple shades. Height when matured 4” to 6” tall. Will put off a white flower in early spring but mainly used for its beautiful leaves, which get very dense. Good for borders, above surface containers or in between rocks. Can be planted in container and will grow over the sides.
< prev | next >
Candy Striped Reed
Phragmites karka - Hardy zones 5-11 Native to Japan and China Grows in part shade or full sun. Plant in moist soil to 12”of water. Has white striped green leaves. Very slender about 1” to 1.5” wide. Height when matured 3 to 6 feet tall.
< prev | next >
White Pickerel
Hardy to zones 5-11. Grows in moist soil or water to 10 inches deep. Grows in height of 24-32 inches and spreads 12-26 inches. Leaves are a shiny green and heart shaped. The blooms are white with a hint of pink mostly at the base.
< prev | next >
Ruby Eyed Arrowhead
Hardy zones 5-11. Grows well in moist soil to 1 foot of water. Height when matured 1 to 2 feet. Has large green arrow shaped leaves that produces small white flowers. Good for bog areas or container garden. Full sun to partial shade.
< prev | next >
Sweet Flag
Acorus calamus - Hardy to 4-11. Grows in moist soil to 6 inches of water. Likes full sun to part shade. Leaves reach heights of 36 inches tall. Sweet flag release a sweet fruity fragrance when bruised or crushed. They are native to North America.
< prev | next >
Water Celery
Hardy zones 4-11. Grows well in moist soil to 6” of water. Grow in full sun to part shade. As dark green leaves blooms a little white flower in July to August. Fish loves to eat the leaves it’s a great source of vitamins. Excellent filtrator in bio falls or tucked into a nook.
< prev | next >
Cardinal Flower
Hardy to zones 5-11. Grows in moist soil to 3inches of water in sun to part shade. Plant has bright red flowers that bloom in July to September. It grows up to 3ft tall. Native to North America.
< prev | next >
Thalia Dealbata
Hardy to zones 6-11, usually fine in Zone 5. Grows in moist soil in water up to 10 inches deep in sun to part shade.Reaches heights 2-9ft and spreads 2-6 ft. Has green foliage and blooms silvery blue flowers in the late summer. Great for back drops.
< prev | next >
Penny Wort
Zone 5 Hardy. Spreads out horizontally forming dense mats, Stems are capable of rooting at the nodes but also may be floating. Good choice for bordering around the pond.
< prev | next >
Clyde Redmond
(Iris Louisiana) - Hardy up to zone 4. Grows in moist soil in water up to 4 inches. Reaches height of 18”virant royal blue flower that blooms in spring. You can pot it or tuck it away in between rocks of a stream or waterfall.
< prev | next >
Blue Pickerel
Pontederia Cordata - Hardy zones 5-11. Grows well in moist soil to 1 foot of water. Height when matured 2 to 2 1/2 feet. Green heart-shaped leaves with a long slender stalk which holds a multiple blue/purple flower. Great for bog areas or container garden. Full sun to partial shade in any climate.
< prev | next >
Variegated Iris
Iris Pallida Variegata - Hardy to zones 4-8. Grows well in fertile well drained soil. Adapts to most soil types and tolerates drought well. Likes full sun to part shade. Grows in heights 24-36 inches tall.
< prev | next >
Aquatic Mint
Mentha Aquatica - Hardy to zone 5-11. Moist soil to 2 inches of water. Grows in full sun to part shade. Gets 3-12 inches high. Very fragrant plant flowers are lavender pink and they attract butterflies.
< prev | next >
Black Gamecock Louisiana Iris
Hardy zones 5-11. Grows well in moist soil to 6" of water. Height when matured 2 to 3 feet. Has long slender dark green leaves. Blooms a purple flower. Good for any bog, container garden or whatever your needs are. It’s an all-purpose plant and one of the favorites of water gardeners. Grows well in partial shade in the hotter climates.
< prev | next >
Corkscrew Rush
Hardy zones 4-10. Grows well in moist soil to 1" of water. Height when matured 1 to 1 1/2 feet. Has very slender corkscrew green leaves. Great for container garden. Full sun to partial shade. Works well in pot for patios.
< prev | next >
Creeping Jenny
Hardy zones 4-11. Grows well in moist soil to 1" of water. Height when matured 3" to 6". Has small oval greenish leaves. Good for bog or container garden. Will spread and creep gradually. Full sun to partial shade.
< prev | next >
Marsh Betony
Stachys palustris - Hardy zones 4-11. Grows well in moist soil to 6" of water. Height when matured 6" to 1 1/2 feet. Has small arrow shaped leaves which blooms multiple purplish flowers. Great for bog areas or container garden. Partial sun. Native to North America.
< prev | next >
Variegated Fourleaf Water Clover
Hardy zones 5-11. Grows well in 1” to 2 foot of water. Leaves ride on the surface of water. Leaves are variegated clover shaped. Good for anything that holds water. Multiplies quickly.
< prev | next >
Variegated Manna Grass
Glyceria Aquatica Variegata - Hardy zones 4-11. Grows well moist to 1” of water. Height when matured 6” to 1 foot. It’s thick grass with variegated leaves. Good for bog or container garden. Full sun to partial shade. It’s an awesome looking grass.
< prev | next >
Variegated Water Celery
Oenanthe Javanica - Hardy zones 4-11. Grows well in moist soil to 3” of water. Height when mature 5” to 1 foot. It has heart shaped variegated leaves almost transparent looking. Great for bog, detention pond or container garden. Koi love to nibble on it.
< prev | next >
Mini Cattails
Hardy to zones 3-9. Grows in wet soil to 5inches of water likes full sun to part shade. Grows 12-18 inches tall. Great for small ponds or container gardens. Should be potted and not planted directly into pond.
< prev | next >
Horse Tails
Equisetum Hyemale - Hardy to zones 4-11. Grows well in wet to moist soil,but not with its crown under the waterline. Grows in full sun to part shade. Reaches heights of 24inches with a running spread.
< prev | next >
Water Zinnia
Wedelia Trilobata - Hardy zones 5-11. Does well in full sun or shade. Grows in moist soil to 2” of water. Height when matured 6”. Has thick stems with numerous braches and creates a yellow flower. Zianea blooms profusely in later summer. You can grow it in a small container.
< prev | next >
Obedient Plant
Zone 5 Hardy. Obedient plant has opposite lance shaped leaves and bears showy spikes of light purple flowers in August/September. The flowers have white areas on margins and interior. The common name "obedient plant" results from the fact that the flowers will remain in place after being moved.
< prev | next >
Lizard’s Tail
Lizard's Tail is a plant usually seen in marshes, but also grows along the edges of ponds and streams. Lizard's Tail is an important plant as cover and shelter, and as a place for egg-laying. Many fish, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, turtles, and aquatic insects hide among the stems underwater.
