Top 10 Native Perennial Plants For Your Water Garden

White Water Lily (nymphaea odorata)
Among the largest and most vigorous growers of all the hardy water lilies
Abundant fragrant white flowers up to 6 inches in size
Blooms June through September- each flower open for 3 days
Attracts and supports native bees like honey bees and halictid bees
Native to eastern United States. Currently can be found growing in almost every US state, including Alaska!
In clear water with full sun can grow up to 8 feet deep, but as a water garden plant best growth in 3 feet of water or less

Blue Flag Iris (iris versicolor)
This is the northern blue flag iris versicolor, not to be confused with similar looking and less cold hardy southern blue flag iris virginica
Blue/violet flowers- interesting color streaking and yellow accents in towards the base of petals
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Blooms May to July
2-3 feet tall sword like leaves, daintier and more compact as the season progresses than the more commonly used yellow flag iris

American Lotus (nelumbo lutea)
There is nothing small or discreet about this dominant plant with its 2 foot diameter leaves and 8 inch yellow to light cream flowers
Blooms June through September
Excellent choice as a specimen plant in mid-size to large water gardens

Spatterdock (nuphar advena)
Thicker, stronger, more rugged alternative to water lilies. Even jumbo koi rarely do any damage to this beast of a plant
Grown for its showy emersed leaves which are held horizontally 6 inches above water surface on thick single stems. Leaves are glossy green, heart shaped, and 6-12 inches in diameter. Leaves may also be floating or submersed, which are less common
Small non-showy compact yellow flowers in spring/summer just above water surface

Purple Pickerelweed (pontederia cordata)
Large marginal plant grows up to 4 feet tall in water depths up to 12 inches
6 inch flower spikes each hold numerous small purple/blue flowers that bloom June through September. Flowers bloom in succession up the spike from bottom to top throughout the growing season
Frequently attracts bumblebees and hummingbirds

Cardinal Flower (lobelia cardinalis)
Bright red flowers on 8 inch terminal spikes- numerous 1-2 inch flowers bloom from bottom to top
Blooms July through September
Commonly grows 2-4 feet tall, may reach up to 6 feet
Highly attractive to hummingbirds, which in many areas are its primary pollinator due to long, tubular flower shape
Can be grown in shallow water at pond edge up to 3 inches deep, plant in area protected from strong winds

Arrow arum (peltandra virginica)
Grown for its foliage with large, iconic arrowhead shaped leaves that are typically 1 foot long but sometimes can grow up to 2 feet. Plants can reach 4 feet tall
Small, narrow flowers range in color from white to yellow to green
Leaves and stems are thick and sturdy

Common Rush (juncus effusus)
Leafless plant with narrow, dark green stems growing 1-3 feet tall in a dense “spiky” spread. Base of stems may be red in color. While typically stems grow perfectly straight, ornamental “corkscrew rush” variety has interesting twisted growth pattern
Evergreen in temperate climates, though above ground die back can occur in very cold winters
Marginal plant can grow in standing water up to 4 inches deep
Excellent for smaller water gardens, can provide pleasing sharp angled contrast to rounded hardscaping at pond edges
Handles shade better than many other water garden plants

Water Pennywort (hydrocotyle americana)
Fast spreading perennial with network of glossy green, 1-2 inch diameter, round leaves on individual stems up to 10 inches tall. Grows in dense clumps that can anchor on pond edge and then spread out across nearby open water surface. Will also grow upward from pond edge onto the banks and can soften up stone edge treatment nicely
Leaves can float but commonly extend a few inches above water surface
Plant stems up to 2 inches below water line. Can sometimes plant deeper as long as leaves reach water surface
Pairs well with larger pond plants with circular shaped leaves like water lilies or lotuses

Purple Pitcher Plant (sarracenia purpurea)
Carnivorous oddball plant offers a cluster of up to 12 inch tall pitcher shaped leaves that catch rainwater and trap and digest insects and small amphibians that fall in
Pitcher leaves have distinctive purple and green coloration, often with interesting veining pattern
Single flower is dark purple/maroon on top of thin stalk that is usually taller than the leaves
Bog plant that can grow in full sun on edge of pond directly at the water line
Extremely cold hardy, native to both eastern US and Canada

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