Water lilies are one of the most popular aquatic plants, although there are plenty of other species of aquatic plants that you may not have heard of. There are 2 types of water lilies, hardy and tropical. As an aquatic plant goes, water lilies are very beneficial to your pond. They help to provide protection and cover for fish, whilst keeping your pond clean by reducing algae.
Tropical water lilies have larger and more fragrant blooms than hardy water lilies. They come in some really spectacular colors. Bear in mind that these aquatic plants don’t like the cold. They will need at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night in winter. Some of these aquatic plants include: Red Flame, Maroon Beauty, and Blue Beauty.
Hardy water lillies include the Graziella, which has blossoms of red-orange; the Albatross, whose blossoms are has large and white; and the Moorei, whose blossoms are yellow.
Another aquatic plant is the deep water aquatic. These need water that is at least 1 foot deep. Species of deep water aquatics include: Golden Club, Japanese Pond Lily and The Sacred Lotus. Each of these plants require different water depths, so make sure you research their individual needs before you plant them.
If you are looking for an oxygenator for your pond, you can’t go past submerged plants. These aquatic plants provide oxygen for your fish, and will filter out wastes and salts. This in turn prevents algae from growing. Examples of submerged plants are Canadian Pondweed, Carolina Water Shield, and Anacharis.
Marginal plants are great aquatic plants that will grow around the margins of your pond. You can use marginal plants in container water gardening if you don’t have much space. They like the muddy shallow areas of the pond. They include: Hardy Canna, (has long stalks of violet flowers), .Japanese Iris, (considered one of the most beautiful irises) and Pickerel Weed, (terrible name but lovely blue flowers).
Whatever aquatic plants you choose, just make sure you give them a couple of weeks to get used to their environment in the pond before introducing any fish. This way you are sure to have a spectacular blooming water garden.
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