Backyard Ponds Plant Guide
Plants are available on a seasonal basis. We procure our plants from a long-established nursery in Maryland in late April. Some varieties may not be available due to variability in the growing season. Please contact us if you would like to order plants.
Arrowhead
2-3′ Tall
Flowers in July/August
White Flowers
Anacharis (SUBMERGED PLANT)
Submerged Plant (should come back every year)
Can be potted but can also just drop into the pond
On occasion sends tiny white flowers to the surface
Cardinal Flower
2′ Tall
Flowers August-October
Native Plant
Bright Red Blossoms
Cattail
4-5′ Tall
Flowers in June/July
Tolerates some shade
Good for large ponds
NOTE: Invasive if not contained
Chameleon Plant
6-12″ tall
Flowers in May/June
Prefers partial shade
Perfect for most ponds
Can be invasive if not contained
Creeping Jenny
2-6″ Tall
Flowers July/August
Vigorous grower in and out of pond
Good for edges of waterfall
Dwarf Bamboo
18″ Tall
Good for foreground planting
Giant Papyrus (TROPICAL)
8′ Tall
Has a pom-pom structure on top of graceful stems
Hibiscus
4′ Tall
Flowers July/August
Native to Maryland
Red, pink or white flowers
For large ponds
Plant may need to be anchored so it doesn’t blow over
Lotus
Blooms can be white, pink, yellow or red
Flowers July through September
Needs full sun
Yellow Iris
4-5′ Tall
Also available in blue and white (2′)
Spreads quickly
Flowers in April
Hardy
NOTE: Invasive if not contained
Water Lily
White, pink, yellow, peach, and red blooms
Will grow in shade but only blooms with sun
Fertilize monthly
NOTE: tropical varieties available
Water Lettuce (TROPICAL)
Prefers light to shade
No blooms
Spreads quickly
NOTE: often becomes infected with aphids
Water Hyacinth (TROPICAL-will die in winter)
Flowers June to September
Fish will eat roots!
Very prolific surface spreader
Good to bundle with fishing wire
Umbrella Plant (TROPICAL)
5′ Tall
Easy to winter indoors
Tolerates some shade
Likes moving water
Taro (TROPICAL)
2-4′ Tall
Several color varieties
No blooms
Dwarf Papyrus (TROPICAL)
3′ Tall
Has pom-pom structure on top of graceful stems
Calla (TROPICAL)
2′ Tall
Flowers in May/June
Beautiful pure white blossoms
Easy to winter indoors
Thalia
6′ Tall
Flowers July through September
Good for large ponds
Purple flowers cluster above foliage
Variegated Sweet Garlic
10-15″ Tall
Flowers June through September
Good for all but the smallest ponds
Variegated Sweet Flag
2-3 ‘ Tall
Leaves have sweet scent when broken
Also in non-variegated
Narrower leaves than iris
Pickerel Rush
2-3′ Tall
Flowers June through September
Good for all but the smallest ponds
Pennywort
6′ Tall
Good for streams/moving water
NOTE: Invasive if not contained
Parrot’s Feather
6″ Tall
Good surface spreader
Feathery foliage closes at night
No blooms
Good for most ponds
Miniature Spearwort
1′ Tall
Flowers May through August
Delicate yellow flowers
Blooms better if spent blossoms are removed
Lizard’s Tail
1-3′ Tall
Flowers in July
Tolerates shade
Unique cream-colored spike blossom
NOTE: Invasive if not contained
Horsetail
3’Tall
Tolerates some shade
Prefers shallow water to moist soil
Golden Club
2-3′ Tall
Flowers June through September
Native plant
Spreads quickly
Good for shady spots
Forget Me Not
6″ Tall
Flowers April through May
Likes partial shade
Likes streams and moving water
Corkscrew Rush
18″ Tall
Stiff, spiral stems grow vertical and horizontal
No blooms but interesting foliage
Clover
8-10″ Tall
Fluffy, pretty plant for small ponds or foreground planting
Water Mint
1′ Tall
Flowers in August and September
Quick surface cover
Wonderfully aromatic foliage
Good for most ponds