Water Gardens - Inspiring Garden Ideas for all Gardeners
Water gardens are beautiful and tranquil features that support a diverse range of aquatic and marginal plants. By carefully selecting suitable plants, you can create a balanced, thriving ecosystem that enhances your garden’s aesthetic appeal and attracts wildlife. Here are some popular plants for water gardens:
- Floating plants: Floating plants, such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), provide shade, help reduce algae growth, and create a natural habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures.
- Submerged plants: Submerged plants, like hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and anacharis (Elodea spp.), oxygenate the water, support fish life, and help maintain water quality.
- Marginal plants: Marginal plants, which grow at the water’s edge, add vertical interest and help soften the transition between water and land. Examples include sweet flag (Acorus calamus), cattails (Typha spp.), and rushes (Juncus spp.).
- Aquatic perennials: Aquatic perennials, such as pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), iris (Iris spp.), and marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), provide color and texture in and around the water garden, as well as attracting pollinators and other wildlife.
- Water lilies: Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) are a classic choice for water gardens, offering floating leaves and stunning blooms that create a focal point and provide shade for fish.
- Lotus: The lotus (Nelumbo spp.) is an iconic water garden plant, with its large, elegant leaves and striking flowers that rise above the water surface.
- Bog plants: Bog plants, such as cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), astilbe (Astilbe spp.), and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), thrive in damp, nutrient-rich soil near water gardens and add color and interest to the surrounding area.
When selecting plants for your water garden, consider factors such as sun exposure, water depth, and the size of your water feature. Choose a diverse mix of plants that provide different functions, such as oxygenation, shade, and habitat, to create a balanced, visually appealing, and ecologically sound water garden.
