Marginal
Plants

These plants provide texture, color and edge the pond. It is best to plant all water plants in pots rather than directly in the bottom of the pool. This aids in maintenance by making the containers retrievable, thus making plant and pond cleaning easier. Marginal plants should be planted in individual containers of approximately 1- to 3-gallon capacity. A heavy rich garden soil should be used. Potting soil, compost, vermiculite, or perlite should not be used, as they float out and foul the water. Place dirt in the bottom of the pot to a level about two-thirds of the way to the top, add aquatic fertilizer tablets, then firm down the soil. Place the plant in the pot, spreading the roots, finish adding soil until roots are covered to within one inch of the rim of the pot, then pack firmly. To discourage fish from digging in the pot you may wish to add one-half to one inch of gravel.

When adding aquatic fertilizer tablets, use 1 tablet for 1-gallon pots and 2 tablets for 2- or 3-gallon pots.

Marginal plants should be lowered to a depth of only 2"-3" below the water surface. They grow out of the water and are usually found at the water's edge. Some plants only like "wet feet" and are not suitable for placement in the pond. These plants like to be completely moistened, then allowed to dry-out.

Most water plants require at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day for maximum growth. With newly-purchased plants it is important to remember Colorado's altitude. Most plants are shipped in from growers at sea level and will need to be adapted to our climate to avoid their leaves being sunburnt. Check with the supplier where you purchase your plants to determine if this is a factor.

The numerous marginal plants which are sold may be either hardy or tropical. Hardy marginals, will withstand cold temperatures in a dormant state and regrow from the root the following season. Tropical marginals require warm temperatures and generally do not tolerate any cold temperatures. What this means is prior to the turn of autumn to winter, tropical plants need to be moved into a greenhouse or to a bright spot in the house. Many will thrive as houseplants. It is not necessary to put them in water as deep as they were in the pond. A saucer that will hold water is all that is needed. Keep the saucer full of water and do not fertilize plants during this "rest" time.

In the Spring . . .
When danger of frost has passed, usually the last week of May, plants can be repotted and returned to the pond. Inside growth is usually weak and somewhat stretched. It is best to trim much of the winter growth. This will encourage new strong growth throughout the season.

Marginal Plant List PHOTO GALLERY T=Tropical H=Hardy to zone 5 D= depth for crown of plant from water surface.

Butterfly Plant (Asclepias) T Long, green opposing leaves. Produces clustered flowers in red/yellow, white, pink. Grows to 24". D-0-4" Blue Bell (Ruella squarrosa) T Short, green linear foliage. Produces many small, blue bell flowers Grows to 12". D-2 Bog Lily (Crinum americanum) T Long Dark green stalks with outstanding large, white flowers which bloom in spring and summer. Reaches heights of 24". D-1-6" Cannas Longwood hybrids T True aquatic flowering canna hybrids.Large leaves, elongated. Grow to heights of 4', with abundant blooms in (Red, Yellow, Orange, or Pink) spring through late summer. D-1-6" Canna (Americanallis variegata) T An orange flower with large green and yellow variegated leaves. Grows to 4' tall. D-1-6" Cattail (Typha latifolia) H Tall, grassy leaves and produces brown catkins. Capable to reaching heights of 6'. D-6-8" Cattail (Typha minima) H A dwarf version of the cattail that grows only 12-18" tall. D-1-6" Cattail, Graceful (Typha laxmannii)H Grows to height of 4' with long, slender, grass-like leaves. D-2-8" Clover, water (Marsilea mutica) T Stems spread out across pond topped with peridot green leaves divided into four parts, as in four-leaf clover. Needs to be potted. D-3-12" Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus haspans) T Grows to a height of 2-3'. Grows in a clump and foliage has round brush-like balls on the end of each stalk. D-1-3" Gymnocoronis (gymnocoronis spilanthoides) T elongated, green linear foliage. Produces many small, round white flowers. D 1-8" Grows to 24". Hawthorn, Water (Aponogeton Distachyos) H Spring and fall blooming. Fragrant white flowers are held above water. Oval elongated green leathery leaves float on the surface.D-3-8" Iris-Blue (Iris versicolor) H This plant reaches a height of 24" and produces violet-blue flowers which bloom in early spring. D-1-6" Iris-Yellow (Iris pseudacorus) H Bright yellow blossoms adorn this plant with sword-like leaves. This spring bloomer grows to a height of 3'. D-1-6"

Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus) H Triangular foliage with unique narrow, white spike blooms that resemble a lizard's tail. Grows to 2'. D-1-6" Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) H Waxy looking green round leaves. Bright yellow flowers in early spring. Grows to 8". D-1-3" Parrot's Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) H Green feathery foliage which trails over the water's surface. D-3-18" Pickerel, Blue (Pontederia cordata) H Reaching a height of 3', this plant produce violet-blue flowering spikes continually from early spring to late fall. D-1-12" Sagittaria - Arrowhead (sagittaria latifolia) H Clusters of white blooms adorn this plant with arrowhead-shaped foliage. Blooms early summer through fall and reaches up to 2' in height. D-1-6" Sagittaria - Narrow (Sagittaria lancifolia)T Reaching heights of 3-4', this plant has long stalks, produces large wide leaves and clusters of white flowers. D-1-6" Spiderwort (tradescantia ohiensis) H Green, linear leaves adorned with an abundance of blue blooms make up this plant that grows well in shallow water or damp soil. Grows to 12". D-1-3" Star Grass (Dichromena colorata) T Long narrow grassy folliage. Star-shaped white flowers on long stems. Grows to 18". D-1-6" Taro - Green (Colocasia esculenta)T A member of the elephant ear family, this lush greet plant has big leafy foliage and grows to 3'. D-1-12" Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolious) T Grows in clumps up to 6' tall with crowns of green grass-like leaves at the tips. D-1-6" Variegated Acorus(Acorus gramineus)H This low growing (up to 12") marginal plant grows in tufts of green and white variegated leaves. D-1-6" Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) T This has small water lily-like pads which float on the water's surface. Yellow blooms rise 2" above the surface during warmer months. D-3-9" Many of the plant descriptions are from the 1998 Water Garden Plant Manual, Florida Aquatics Nursery. Numerous water gardening books are available with additional plant listings.