Deep Water Aquatics
Deep water aquatics make an excellent alternative or addition to lilies. They are more tolerant of shade and moving water but are equally as good at providing surface cover, helping to keep the water clear. Aponogeton distachyos flowers at a time of year when lilies and most other plants do not.
Aponogeton distachyos - Water hawthorn
This prolific flowering plant flowers for most of the year, even winter. It only stops flowering when the ice damages the flowers and leaves but it starts again early in the season, depending on the weather. It also stops for a short period around August when it is hot, then even the leaves die back, at that time most other plants are in full flower and leaf. Its unusual flowering times attract a wide variety of insects. It is brittle and can be damaged in transit but new leaves and flowers quickly regrow.
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Nymphoides peltata Fringed water lily
This delicate native plant rises from the pot and spreads across the surface of the water.
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Nuphar lutea Brandy bottle or Yellow water lily
This plant is similar in size to a water lily, but unlike lilies, it thrives in running water. It is quite happy with its leaves completely submerged due to water flow for the entire season. It will also grow in still water where the leaves will rise to the surface and it will flower.
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There are some marginal plants that like deeper water than most so are good for slightly deeper shelves. They are; Butomus umbellatus, Lysichiton species, Lysimachia numularia, Lysimachia numularia aurea, Menyanthes trifoliata, Orontium aquaticum, Persicaria amphibian, Pontederia species, Ranunculus species, Sagittaria species, Typha species except minima (caution - Typha latifolia is quick growing and not recommended for small ponds, we recommend latifolia variegata or the smaller varieties such as angustifolia or gracillis). Nearly all oxygenating plants are suitable for deeper areas.
Have you got everything you need before you leave?
Marginal plants provide shelter, a breeding ground and remove nitrates
Oxygenating plants provide essential oxygen
Floating plants provide shade, shelter and remove nitrates
Lilies provide shade & shelter
Aquatic baskets and aquatic soil for the above
Snails Ramshorns eat algae on the sides of a pond, Trapdoor snails eat algae on the bottom
Please protect our environment. No plants should be disposed of in the wild as
even native ones placed in the wrong location may cause environmental damage.
Compost them or take them to your local refuse centre. For more information please see Non Native Species Secretariat
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