Menyanthes trifoliata (Bog Bean)
Buckbean, Buck-Bean, Bogbean, Bean Trefoil, Beck Bean, Bitterwort, Bog Hop, Bog Myrtle, Bog Nut, Bog Trefoil, Brook Bean, Marsh Clover, Marsh Trefoil, Water Shamrock, Water Trefoil
Menyanthes trifoliata (Bog Bean) is a rhizomatous, emergent aquatic perennial with flower stalks and leaves held well above the water. The olive-green leaves feature 3 large, long-stalked, elliptic leaflets, 4 in. long (10 cm) markedly veined. The foliage grows from a creeping rhizome that floats onto the water's surface. In spring to late summer, upright racemes of white or purple-tinged, star-shaped flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), are borne atop stout stalks, about as high as the foliage. The upper surface of the petals is fringed with white hair, which aids in both collecting pollen and attracting pollinators such as bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, flies, and butterflies. Bog Bean typically grows in shallow water in pond or lake margins and bogs and spreads from thick spongy rhizomes to form large colonies.
- Grows up to 10-12 in. tall (25-30 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Can spread aggressively when not restrained by container plantings.
- Thrives in full sun to part shade in baskets in a large pond in water up to 10 in. deep (25 cm), or grow in muddy pool margins. Grow in full sun to promote flowering
- Great for water gardens, bog gardens, along ponds and streams.
- Virtually pest and disease free.
- Cut back after flowering.
- Propagate by division.
- Native to much of Asia, Europe, and North America.
Buy Menyanthes trifoliata (Bog Bean)
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United Kingdom, United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By SusaZoom, shaftinaction, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United Kingdom, United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |