Hardy Bog Plants

Arrowhead - Sagitarria latifolia - Zone 4

Arrowhead - Sagitarria  latifolia - Zone 4

2' - Strong wide arrow-shaped foliage.  Has delicate white flowers with bright yellow centers. N. American native.  Plant in one to two gallon containers in full sun to part shade.  Propagate by division of stolons or by seed.  Protect this plant from freezing solid.  New plants come from bulbs formed in and around the root system.  Keep Arrowhead in the ice free zone of the pond in the dead of winter.

Bog Bean - Menyanthes trifolia - Zone 3

Bog Bean - Menyanthes trifolia - Zone 3

Grows to 8 inches.  A native variety that’s almost extinct. Pink buds unfold to delicate white flowers complemented by soft green trifoliate leaves.  Bury the roots in rich topsoil and leave the rhizome free across the soil in the pot.  Provide acidity in the soil for quicker establishment of the plant and for more vigorous growth.  Propagate by root cuttings, this plant may root at submerged leaf nodes.

Cardinal Flower - Lobelia cardinalis - Zone 4

Cardinal Flower - Lobelia cardinalis - Zone 4    

2' - Tall spikes of intense red flowers rise out of a modest display of foliage. Striking summer color for a long period.  Plant in one gallon or larger containers in rich soil with 1 to 3 inches of water over the plant crown.  Grow in full sun to part shade.  Propogate by division of clumps in early spring or after blooming season.  Can be started from stratified seeds.  This is a slower plant to get started.  Winter in the ice free zone of the pond in zones 5 or colder.

Cattail - Graceful - Typha laxmannii - Zone 3

Cattail - Graceful  - Typha laxmannii - Zone 3

4' Slender pale-green leaves and small narrow pokers.  Graceful cattail is characterized by its dense, lush growing habit.  Grow this plant in one gallon or 5 gallon containers in water 6 to 12 inches deep.  This plant prefers full sun to part shade conditions.  Divide clump in the spring to early summer or start from dry stratified seed in shady beds from April to May.

Chameleon Plant - Houttuynia cordata ‘Variegata - Zone 6

Chameleon Plant - Houttuynia cordata ‘Variegata - Zone 6

6"-12" tall multicolored red, blue-green and yellow heart-shaped leaves, accented with small white flowers. The leaf color varies with sun.  Grow in one gallon containers.  Divide clumps in the spring or plant rooted cuttings.  Protect this plant from freezing, can be placed in the ice free zone of the pond in winter. 

Dwarf Bamboo - Dulichium arundinaceum - Zone 6

Dwarf Bamboo - Dulichium  arundinaceum - Zone 6

1' - With compact bamboo-like foliage this plant is excellent for foreground or border planting. Flowers are insignificant.  Plant in one to two gallon containers.  Propagate by division.  Protect from freezing by placing in the ice free zone of the pond during the winter.

Gold Strike Rush - Juncus effusus ‘Gold Strike’ - Zone 5

Gold Strike Rush - Juncus effusus ‘Gold Strike’ - Zone 5

2 to 3 foot plant with slender leaves with a yellow stripe up the entire length.  Grow in one to two gallon pots.  Repot every two years.  Propagate by division in the spring.  In colder climates winter in the ice free zone of the pond.  Do not trim this plant back below water level in the winter.

Hibiscus - Swamp - Hibiscus moschuetos - Zone 4'

Hibiscus - Swamp - Hibiscus moschuetos - Zone 4'

A native plant with pink, white or red flowers.  Hibiscus adds a nice foliage alternative to any pond.  Plant in 5 to 20 gallon pot with 1 to 6 inches of water over the top of the pot in full sun to part shade.  Propagate by seed, green stem cuttings or crown division in the spring.   This is a very hardy plant and can winter right on the plant shelf without any protection.

Lavender Musk - Mimulus ringens - Zone 3

Lavender Musk - Mimulus ringens - Zone 3   

2' - Lavender flowers nestled among soft green foliage.  Has a very long blooming season.   Pot lavender musk in one to two gallon containers of rich soil with 0 to 6 inches of water over the crown in full sun to part shade.  Propagate by root cuttings or seed.  This plant readily reseeds.

Lizard’s Tail - Saururus cernuus - Zone 4

Lizard’s Tail - Saururus cernuus - Zone 4

1' to 2' - Delicate cream colored blossoms sway amoung  triangular medium green foliage this plant has a unique seed formation resembling a tail.  Native North American Plant.  Plant in a two to five gallon container with rich soil in water up to 4 inches above crown in sun to part shade.  Propagate by division of stratified seed.  This is a very hardy plant and can winter right on the plant shelf without any protection.

Marsh Marigold - Caltha palustris - Zone 5

Marsh Marigold - Caltha palustris - Zone 5

1' -  Intense golden-yellow flowers brighten the pond in early spring. Prefers cold climate, light shade or cool running water.  Very hardy plant.  Propagate by division in the spring, or by seeds.  Is usually the first plant to bloom in the spring and will bloom until it gets too warm in mid summer, then will bloom again in the fall.

Rush - Blue - Juncus glauca - Zone 5

Rush - Blue - Juncus glauca - Zone 5

1' to 2' - Similar to effuses but with blue-gray foliage.  Does well indoors. Semievergreen.  Plant in one to two gallon containers, in full sun to part shade.  In colder climates winter in the ice free zone of the pond.  Do not trim lower than the water level.  Propagate by division or by seeds. 

Rush - Zebra - Scriptus Iac. spp. taber ‘Zebrinus’ - Zone 5

Rush - Zebra - Scriptus Iac. spp. taber ‘Zebrinus’  - Zone 5

2" - Bold green and white banded foliage make this plant truly unique. Variegation may fade as summer progresses.  Plant in one to two gallon containers, in full sun to part shade.  In colder climates winter in the ice free zone of the pond.  Do not trim lower than the water level.  Propagate by division or by seeds.

Rush – Corkscrew - Juncus effusus Spirralis - Zone 5

Rush – Corkscrew - Juncus effusus Spirralis - Zone 5

The Original Corkscrew Rush.  Curiously spiraled stems.  This uniquely textured plant does best in part shade. Plant in one to two gallon containers.  In colder climates winter in the ice free zone of the pond.  Do not trim lower than the water level.  Propagate by division or by seeds. 

Variegated Dwarf Common Reed - Phragmites australis aurea - Zone 5

Variegated Dwarf Common Reed - Phragmites australis aurea - Zone 5

This distinctive grass flowers in August.   This striking specimen adds interest and color with bright yellow and green striped leaves.  Delicate and upright habit growing  3’ to 4’ .

Water Forget-Me-Not -Blue - Myosotis scirpoides - Zone 3

Water Forget-Me-Not -Blue - Myosotis scirpoides - Zone 3

Creeping ground cover that softens the edge of the pond.  This plant has small ovate leaves and sky blue flowers.  Prefers partial shade or cool moving water.  Readily reseeds. Propagate by root division or rooted stem cuttings in the spring or summer.

Water Mint - Mentha aquatica - Zone 6

Water Mint - Mentha aquatica - Zone 6"

Wonderfully aromatic foliage and lilac-pink blossoms make this variety a favorite. Quick surface cover.  Readily roots wher ever stems contact the water and can be invasive.  Propagate by division or rooted cuttings.  Winter in the ice free zone of the pond.  This plant will also grow in stream beds anchored.  Makes a great filtration plant.