Looking for aquatic plants?
You've come to the right place!
Aquatic plants seem harder to find each year, so we now offer our customers and fellow pond-lovers a wide variety of plants to add to any water garden. There are several types of aquatic plants, which are explained below. Plants are an important part of your pond's ecosystem, providing filtration, oxygen and beauty.
All plants are available in limited quantities, so if you like something, let us know ASAP. We get multiple shipments of plants throughout the spring, summer and fall. If you'd like to make a special request for something, we will do our best to include it in our next shipment, if still available. Tropical plants are not suited to our Illinois temperatures, but will be available in early summer, including all the big hits, like Black Magic Taros, Canna Lilies, and Calla Lilies! Tropical plants are a great source of enjoyment in the late summer and fall, when other plants begin to slow down and die off.
In Central Illinois, we are located in planting ZONE 5. Please note the zone listed for each plant. All plants not in zone 5 will not do well with our spring temperatures and will be available when temperatures rise. Many plants that are not in zone 5 or even listed as tropicals, do very well and thrive in our summer temperatures. However, these plants will not keep overwinter and will need to be thrown out in the fall or kept indoors over winter.
All plants are available in limited quantities, so if you like something, let us know ASAP. We get multiple shipments of plants throughout the spring, summer and fall. If you'd like to make a special request for something, we will do our best to include it in our next shipment, if still available. Tropical plants are not suited to our Illinois temperatures, but will be available in early summer, including all the big hits, like Black Magic Taros, Canna Lilies, and Calla Lilies! Tropical plants are a great source of enjoyment in the late summer and fall, when other plants begin to slow down and die off.
In Central Illinois, we are located in planting ZONE 5. Please note the zone listed for each plant. All plants not in zone 5 will not do well with our spring temperatures and will be available when temperatures rise. Many plants that are not in zone 5 or even listed as tropicals, do very well and thrive in our summer temperatures. However, these plants will not keep overwinter and will need to be thrown out in the fall or kept indoors over winter.
TYPES of Aquatic Plants
Tropical and Hardy
Like perennials, water plants sort into two categories - tropical and hardy. Tropicals, like annuals, grow fast, bloom in vivid colors and keep that color long into the season. Hardy plants overwinter, keep the water balanced as they green out and offer the first colors of the season.
Water Lilies and Lotus
The most popular water plants, water lilies and lotuses are often the centerpiece of most ponds. Not only are they extremely beautiful, but they provide shade to keep the pond cool and refuge for koi fish. Keep in mind that Lotus roots can be very invasive and planting your new lotus in a large pot is recommended to contain the roots.
Submerged Aquatics (Oxygenators)
Extremely important for the health of a pond, oxygenators suppress algae overblooms and absorb carbon dioxide from the pond fish. In exchange, they release oxygen back into the water.
Marginal Plants (Wet-Loving Perennials)
Many perennials thrive on the pond edge, in bogs or along the banks of creeks and streams. These plants shape and sculpture the edges of a water garden, catchments, drain spouts or run-off areas.
Floaters (Pond Toppers)
These are essential for a healthy ecosystem and one of the first plants to go in your water garden in the spring. Floaters provide the best filtration for your pond and quickly multiply to cover the water surface, also providing beneficial shade and cover for your koi fish.
Understanding the plant information below...
With each plant photo, you will see lots of information to help you choose the right plants for your water garden. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
First you'll see the scientific name and common name.
If the plant produces flowers, you'll see the color of the flowers listed next to or below the common name. Next is the sun codes, from full sun to partial sun to shade (above). Next will be the general height and spacing of the plant. Finally, you'll find the plants' zones (Illinois is zone 5, but in the summer it is warm enough for even tropicals)
First you'll see the scientific name and common name.
If the plant produces flowers, you'll see the color of the flowers listed next to or below the common name. Next is the sun codes, from full sun to partial sun to shade (above). Next will be the general height and spacing of the plant. Finally, you'll find the plants' zones (Illinois is zone 5, but in the summer it is warm enough for even tropicals)
OXYGENATORS
Hornwort/Coontail, Anachris & Parrot's Feather
Hardy Water Lilies
NYMPHAEA
NELUMBO
Lotus
Special Orders Available for 2013
Let us know what you want as EARLY as possible!
Hardy Bog - Marginal Plants
Sweet Flag Grasses
ACORUS
IN STOCK
Mediterranean Reed
ARUNDO
Butterfly Weed
ASCLEPIAS
Siberian Pink Cups
BALDELLIA
Marsh Marigold
CALTHA
IN STOCK
Sedge Grasses
CAREX
Water Bamboo
DULICHIUM (somewhat invasive)
Horsetail Rush
EQUISETUM
IN STOCK
Cotton Grass
ERIOPHORUM
Hibiscus
IN STOCK
Variegated Fishwort 'Chameleon'
HOUTTUYNIA
IN STOCK
IRIS
IN STOCK
Rush
JUNCUS
IN STOCK
Water Willow
JUSTICIA
Lizard's Tongue
LILAEOPSIS
Blue Moneywort
LINDERNIA
Cardinal Flower
LOBELIA
IN STOCK
Primrose Creeper
LUDWEGIA
Creeping Jenny
LYSIMACHIA
IN STOCK
Water Clover
MARSILEA
MAZUS
Water Mint
MENTHA
Bog Bean
MENYANTHES
Lavender Musk
MIMULUS
Japanese Fiber Banana Tree
MUSA - Very Tall, 12-18 ft!
Blue Water Forget-Me-Not
MYOSOTIS
IN STOCK
Parrot's Feather
MYRIUPHYLLUM
Floating Heart
NYMPHOIDES
IN STOCK
Water Celery
OENANTHE (sometimes known as Parsley)
IN STOCK
Red Stem Golden Club
ORONTIUM
Arrow Arum
PELTANDRA
Common Reed
PHRAGMITES
Frog Fruit
PHYLA
Pickerel Rush
PONTEDERIA
IN STOCK
Spearwort / Buttercup
RANUNCULUS
Red Water Dock
RUMEX
IN STOCK
Arrowhead / Silk Stockings
SAGITTARIA
Pitcher Plant
SARRACENIA
Lizard Tail
SAURURUS
Rush
SCIRPUS
IN STOCK
Blue Eyed Grass
SISYRINCHIUM
Hardy Water Canna
THALIA
IN STOCK
Good Luck Clover
TRIFOLIUM
