WATER PLANT INFORMATION

WATER LILY- Hardy/Tropical Info. (Best in Full Sun for blooms)

One of the first plants most water gardeners want for their pond is a water lily. Some members of this large plant family (Nymphaea) are hardy enough to stay outside in our climate all year long, while others – the tropical water lilies – must be stored inside over the winter. Most water lilies prefer a site that will give them at least 5 – 6 hours of sunlight a day, although a few varieties can get by on less. Water lilies also like still water – not near waterfalls or other areas where they’ll be hit with splashing water. With just a little care, these staples of the water garden will give you years of beautiful color and interesting lily-pad foliage that floats on the surface of the pond. Pot up you water lilies in a cool, shaded area. That’ll help prevent the roots from drying out. We recommend planting lilies in aquatic pots or aquatic baskets – containers made specifically for water-garden plants – or you could use a sturdy plastic pot. If there are large drainage holes in you pots, place a few sheets of newspaper in the bottom before adding soil. Unlike “regular” plants that go in the ground, water lilies should NOT be planted in garden potting mixes that are primarily peat moss. Instead, use a commercial aquatic potting mix or a soilless potting medium such as Profile. You can also use soil from the garden, so long as it is heavy and high in clay content. Avoid light soil. Start by filling your container about one-third full with your potting medium. Then push in one Lilytab (or similar aquatic table or granular fertilizer) for every 5 quarts of soil. The fertilizer is being added to this lower layer of the oil so it doesn’t come into direct contact with the roots and burn them. Next, add more potting medium until the container is about half full. Then position the lily. Finally, cover the soil with about a half-inch of pea gravel. The crown should be just poking out above the gravel. Pea gravel is needed to keep the soil in place and to discourage fish from disturbing the oil and plant. Your lily is now ready to go in the pond. Place new plants at a depth of 8-12” for about the first three months of growth. Keep in mind that lilies normally take 2-3 weeks to adjust before new growth starts. After about three months in the pond, sink your lilies deeper. Somewhere between 18” and 24” is ideal for hardy water lilies. Depths of between 10” and 18” is fine for tropicals. How To Plant Water Lilies www.skh.com

OXYGENATOR WATER PLANTS:

What are oxygenating plants? Oxygenating plants (also referred to as oxygenators) in ponds and water gardens are best described as underwater plants. They grow with some or all of their foliage (leaves) below the water surface.

THE PERFECT BEGINNER PLANT! Easy is Anacharis’ middle name! It is extremely adaptable, and is perfect for all skill levels! Every aspect of care is as easy as pie!

YOUR POND WILL THANK YOU! Anacharis brings a lot of benefits to your pond! It keeps the water clean and clear, suppresses bacterial growth, and has an excellent ability to absorb water pollutants! It even improves the effectiveness of water treatment systems!

PLANTING IS A BREEZE! Anacharis can be planted two different ways! You can place each stem onto the bottom of your pond or aquarium and anchor them with either sentiment or aquarium rocks. The other option is just to float them in the water!

BLACK THUMB FRIENDLY! Anacharis are forgiving & super simple to grow! All they need is to be in water, and moderate light! Easy as that!

POND PLANT BIO:

Elodea Densa, which is commonly called Waterweed or Anacharis is an aquatic perennial that is a wonderful addition for any pond! One of the best parts about Anacharis is how easy it is to grow! It is perfect for beginners to experts alike! Anacharis is extremely adaptable, and does great in a wide range of conditions. It does prefer, however, water that is between 62 and 78 degrees, and moderate sunlight. Planting the Anacharis is very simple! You can either float the plant in the water or plant each stem in substrate, about an inch apart. The stems will grow towards the surface and across, creating a forest-like look. Floating Anacharis grows faster than planted, but either way you plant it, it will grow rapidly! Anacharis also has plenty of benefits for your pond! It is excellent at absorbing water pollutants, keeps pond water clean and clear and suppresses bacterial growth! It also improves the effectiveness of water treatment systems. This unique and wonderful plant will be the perfect addition to your pond!

FAST FACTS:

Common name: Anacharis, Waterweed
Botanical name: Elodea Densa
Water Temperature: 62-78 degrees
Plant height: Up to 6’’
Plant spread: Up to 10’’
Plant color: Bright to Dark Green
Light requirements: Moderate light
Water depth: Up to 13’’
USDA hardiness zones: 5-13

Shallow Water Plants- 1-6" depth of water

Shallow water plants, or marginal or bog plants, thrive on the surface, frontier areas of ponds, lakes, and water gardens. These plants typically grow in water depths ranging from just moist soil to several inches of water, often at the water’s edge or in shallow shelves within a pond. They are essential for the ecological balance of aquatic environments, providing wildlife habitat, food, and oxygen. Examples include irises, cattails and water lilies . Their roots are submerged while their foliage and flowers often extend above the water surface, adding beauty and diversity to water features.(chalily.com)

https://www.oregonaquatics.com/shallow-water-plants-potted To view what is available within and sold at our store Wishing Well.

FLOATING Water Plants

FROG BIT:

FLOATING SMORGASBORD! Loaded with nutrients! Superb natural Koi food! Frogbit is also a perfect place for small frogs, butterflies, and insects to rest and sip from the pond.

SUPER VERSATILE! Frog bit can be a floating plant and you can easily toss it into your pond. Or you can secure the plant by potting it in soil or in a natural mud bottom pond. So Versatile!

SPECTACULAR EMERALD COLOR! Bright emerald green leaves enliven any pond, large or small!

PROTECT YOUR FISH! Floating plant cover is vital for protecting your precious koi & goldfish from predators! Plants spread prolifically, providing life-saving shelter & shade for beloved outdoor pets!

FLOATER FAST FACTS!

Common name: American frogbit, American spongeplant, frogbit, spongeplant
Botanical name: Limnobium spongia
Plant height: Less than an inch
Plant spread: Spreading habit
Light requirements: Full sun to part sun
USDA hardiness zones: 6 -10

WATER HYACINTH:

FLOATING BEAUTY! Most popular floating pond plant; perfect for beginners! Glossy, succulent green leaves float beautifully on the water’s surface! Experience sporadic bursts of gorgeous lilac blooms!

FAST GROWING & EASY CARE! Simply toss your bare root hyacinths right into water to watch them grow & thrive! No messy soil & no planting!

NATURAL FILTRATION! Incredible floating root systems increase natural filtration! Improves the health of your pond’s ecosystem!

PROTECT YOUR FISH! Floating plant cover is vital for protecting your precious koi & goldfish from predators! Plants spread quickly, providing life-saving shelter & shade for beloved outdoor pets!

FLOATER FAST FACTS!
Common name: Water hyacinth
Botanical name: Eichhornia crassipes
Bloom color: Purple
Bloom time: Sporadic in summer
Plant height: <1 foot
Plant spread: Spreading habit
Light requirements: Full sun to part shade
USDA hardiness zones: 9-11

POND PLANT BIO:
Water hyacinths are beautiful, fast-growing plants that float on the water’s surface! They feature thick, glossy green foliage and occasionally bloom with 6 inch spikes of gorgeous lilac flowers! Incredible floating root systems increase natural filtration & oxygenate water! Floaters provide much-needed shelter & shade, resulting in improved water quality & ecosystem health. You may even find your pond fish eating the floating roots as a nutritious snack or using them as a safe spawning site! Simply toss your water hyacinths into the pond with roots facing down; no planting necessary, and they will propagate quickly! Water hyacinth is the most popular floating plant for so many reasons!

Note: Be sure to use dechlorinated water for your floating plants. Never dispose of unwanted floating plants into natural bodies of water, as they can interfere with ecosystems. If you wish to remove some from your pond, simply pull them out & throw them straight into the compost bin or trash!

WATER LETTUCE:

FLOATING FOLIAGE! Rosettes of velvety green leaves resemble a floating head of lettuce! Perfect for use in small ponds & containerized water gardens!

FAST GROWING & EASY CARE! Simply toss your bareroot water lettuce into the water & watch them grow & multiply! No planting and no messy soil!

NATURAL FILTRATION! Incredible floating root systems increase natural filtration! Improves the health of your pond’s ecosystem!

100% QUALITY GUARANTEED! Our plants are grown & shipped by skilled, trusted aquatic plant experts! Your plant is guaranteed to arrive alive & healthy!

FLOATER FAST FACTS!
Common name: Water lettuce, water cabbage
Botanical name: Pistisa stratioes
Plant height: <1 foot
Plant spread: Spreading habit
Light requirements: Full sun to full shade
USDA hardiness zones: 9-11

POND PLANT BIO:
Water lettuce floats on the water’s surface due to specialized, air-filled leaves that resemble floating heads of cabbage! The large leaves have a beautiful blue-green color and soft velvety finish! Incredible floating root systems increase natural filtration & oxygenate water! Floaters provide much-needed shelter & shade, resulting in improved water quality & ecosystem health. You may find your pond fish eating the floating roots as a nutritious snack or using them as a safe spawning site! Simply toss your water lettuce into the pond with roots facing down; no planting necessary!

Information gathered from www.chalily.com www.oregonaquatics.com www.portlanduniversity.com