Must-Have Marginal Garden Pond Plants

Marginal pond plants, also called bog plants, are plants which grow in shallow water, usually at the edges or “margins” of a body of water. Most of these pond plants are strictly decorative, although some of them do produce fruit.

Bog garden plants must be planted in a very high-quality topsoil for optimal growth, and they also need 7 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. It is also best if they are fertilized two to three times a year. Pond plants require much more pruning than normal plants. If any part of the plant turns yellow it should be removed immediately.

Garden pond plants are becoming more and more popular among pond owners. It is important to research the species of plants you are planning to put in your pond, as some of them can be very invasive. Listed next are some of the most popular bog plants.

Yellow Flag Iris, Iris pseudacorus, is a very tall plant which forms beautiful bright yellow flowers. It is extremely hardy and can even survive drying out for short periods! It is also known for being a fast grower.

The Brandy Bottle, Nuphar lutea, has a floating lily pad much like the water lilies. It gets its name because the flowers produce a scent which is similar to alcohol. This marginal pond plant grows very fast and needs to be watched as it can quickly take over a small pond.

The Chile Rhubarb or Giant Rhubarb, Gunnera manicata, is a huge, magnificent marginal pond plant. Its massive leaves can get to be 2 meters wide each! This impressive plant needs plenty of room to grow.

The Arum Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica, is known not only for the wonderful white flowers it produces, but also for its beautiful foliage. The flowers last from late spring all the way into summer.

The Harlequin Blue Flag, Iris versicolor, is a tall Iris known for producing many bluish purple flowers which can be seen from May to July. They are very popular bog garden plants.

The Marsh Marigold or Kingcup, Caltha Palustris, is a plant which forms clumps of leaves and then large golden colored flowers from spring to early summer. It is one of the most ancient native British plants in the United Kingdom!

The Miniature Bulrush or Dwarf Cattail, Typha Minima, is a tiny variation of the regular Bulrush. It is perfect for small ponds. Small cattails appear in the summer and are surrounded by narrow grassy leaves. These plants can actually make small ponds look larger than they really are!

The Flowering Rush, Butomus Umbellatus, comes from Asia and is certainly a spectacular sight! It forms bi-coloured pink flowers which are gathered in a bunch at the very top of the stem.

It is important to remember that each species you plant needs its own space. Do not plant two different species extremely close to each other. Choosing the right combination of plants can actually help balance out the nutrients in the water, which cuts down on maintenance for you! These pond plants will certainly add beauty and diversity to your water garden.