Shallow Water Plants
Shallow Water Plants for Ponds & Water Gardens
Plants that can tolerate wet condtions (Shallow Water Plants) include plants that grow great in shallow water and are often referred to as Marginal Plants or Bog Plants. These plants grow well when their roots are submerged in water and have their stems, leaves, and flowers above the waterline making them some of the most unattractive plants you can put in a Water Garden or Pond.
At Puget Sound Ponds, we carry a curated selection of shallow water plants shipped live and ready to establish in your water feature.
What Are Shallow Water Plants?
Plants that grow in shallow bodies of water are called shallow water or marginal plants. These plants can either be completely submerged (like submerged oxygenating plants), or they can be partially submerged (like marginal plants). The only type of marginal plant that grows above the water level (leaves) and below the water level (roots) is called a pond edge plant. The other types of marginal plants include those that grow along the edge of ponds, in water gardens, streams, and bogs.
Water plants are amongst the most practical types of plants used in water features. They act as nutrient filters, decrease the growth of algae, create homes for frogs and dragonflies, hold the edge of the pond in position, and provide seasonal colour throughout the spring, summer, and autumn months.
Popular Shallow Water Plants We Carry
Cattails (Typha latifolia)
Cattails are recognized across the U.S. as one of the most significant plants in ponds; they thrive in 2-12 inches of water and can grow up to 4-8 feet in height. They create a dense habitat for wildlife and filter out pollutants from the surrounding water. Ideally these plants will be placed in larger bodies of water that provide sufficient space for their spread.
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
This perennial flower is native to North America and produces deep blue-violet spikes of flowers that bloom from late Spring to Fall and grows best in water that is 3-6 inches deep. It provides great support to pollinators such as bees and butterflies on your garden by your pond for the entire growing season!
Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
A beautiful example of marginal plants with striking blue-purple blooming through early summer. May be grown in 4 inches of water (or more) of wet soil. Hardy across most of North America, low-maintenance after establishment.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia Cardinalis)
Hummingbirds love the brilliant red spike blooms! Prefers wet to slightly saturated soil, very good for planting at the very edge of a pond or bog area.
Equisetum hyemale (Horsetail Rush)
A plant that looks like it has been around since prehistoric times. It features streaked erect stem sections. It works well in formal ponds and other modern water features. It will tolerate wet soils or up to four inches of water. Easily grown and quite hardy.
Water Iris (many different kinds)
There are many varieties of iris that thrive in wet conditions. For example, the yellow flag iris, Japanese iris, and Louisiana iris can be grown in marginal shelf life. Most of these iris varieties will bloom towards the end of spring and have attractive foliage throughout the entire year.
What Is The Benefit Of Adding Shallow Water Plants To Your Pond?
Shallow water plants are not only attractive; they also positively contribute to the pond's overall well-being. They provide the following functions:
- Natural Filtration: Excess nitrogen/phosphorus has direct relationships with the growth of algae because of their ability to be absorbed by roots.
- Oxygenation: Through the process of photosynthesis, oxygen becomes dissolved into the water (benefiting both the fish and beneficial bacteria).
- Wildlife Habitat: Frogs, dragonflies, damsels, and birds use marginal (shallow) plants as places to hide, lay eggs, or find food.
- Preventing erosion: Plant roots help to stabilize the edges of ponds and prevent them from washing away.
- Competing with algae: When a pond has a lot of marginal plants, they will cast shade over the edge of the water and decrease the amount of sunlight the string algae will receive.
In general, a pond with a good number of plants will require fewer chemical treatments and less effort to maintain than ponds that do not have plants.
Shallow Water Planting Instructions
Items Needed: Aquatic planting baskets or pots, heavy clay-loam (not standard potting mix) dirt, aquatic fertilizer tablets, and pea gravel to fill the top of the pot.
Instructions for Planting:
- Get A Container For Aquatic Plants
- Use Heavy Clay or Aquatic Soil
- Position The Plant So There Is A Crown (Where The Stems Meet) Above The Soil Level
- Apply water-soluble fertilization as recommended on your aquatic fertilization package to strengthen soil around roots after which you can add one layer (1 Inch) of pea gravel over top of soil to prevent the soil from dulling the water quality by washing into pond.
- Finally once prepared take out container and carefully lower container with plant's base at or slightly below waterline into item being pond's shelf area around pond's edge (or where you will place plants).
- For 2-3 weeks while developing, keep a watch on the plant; after that no additional fertilization is needed until there is demonstrative new growth. Shallow diving plants typically develop rapidly after planting and will demonstrate good growth within 2-3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What water depth is best for marginal plants?
A majority of plants that grow in shallow water prefer 2-6 inches of water covering the rim of the pot, however there may be exceptions depending on the species of the plant. Cattails and Pickerelweed are able to grow with a maximum of 12" of water while Cardinal Flower requires only moist soil to thrive. Every listing on our site contains information regarding recommended depth of planting for any particular plant species.
Can I grow shallow water plants in a container pond?
Yes, most marginal aquatic species can thrive in a container pond or water feature located on a patio. Dwarf Cattail (Typha minima) and Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) are examples of small developing species that can be utilized in smaller pots. Most marginal aquatic plants are acceptable for use in koi ponds because they will typically grow rapidly enough so that koi will only rarely nibble on the roots. If you plant into pots and use gravel as a top-dressing for your plants before they are established, the roots will be protected until plant establishment occurs.
When should I plant shallow water pond plants?
The best time to plant out /establish marginal plants is during the spring and early summer, specifically once the water temperature has attained a consistent degree of 50 degrees (F) or greater. The warmer the water temperature the more rapidly the plants will become established, however, they will also have the entire growing season to root and establish before the onset of colder fall temperatures.
Are there sufficient fertilizers required for the growing of marginal plants?
Yes, aquatic plants are greatly enhanced / improved (growth and blooming) by the aquatic fertilizers being pushed out into the root zone every 4 to 6 weeks during the season of growth.
