| A water garden can be a relaxing element to add to | | | | This plant, as the name implies, resembles a big head |
| any landscape but it can be rather boring unless you | | | | of lettuce floating on top your pond. The foliage has |
| add aquatic plants. They are actually different kinds | | | | a velvety look and can grow up to 10 Inches wide |
| of plants you can add to your water garden, some | | | | and may sometimes even produce white flowers and |
| like to populate the edges of the garden, some grow | | | | green berries although the flowers and berries are |
| in the deep waters and others float right on top of | | | | pretty hard to notice. This can be an invasive plant |
| the water. | | | | so you want to be careful that it doesn't take over |
| These floating aquatic plants float on the surface and | | | | your water garden. Water letters prefers warmer |
| have long groups that go down into the water. | | | | climates and can work in zones 9-11. Be very careful |
| These plants often have an exotic look and can | | | | of frost, as this can damage leaves and cause them |
| provide shade to control algae as well as provide a | | | | to rot and you don't want that in your pond! |
| nice habitat for fish and other pond creatures. | | | | Floating Hyacinth |
| While most floating water garden plants are tropical | | | | Floating hyacinth reduces purple flowers on 6 inch |
| there are a few that you can use in northern | | | | stems and can be a colorful addition to the floating |
| climates. if you have a harsh winter, you will want to | | | | plants in your water garden. In order for proper |
| treat your floating plants much the same as you | | | | flowering you'll need to make sure it has full sun and |
| treat your annuals and plan on replanting them each | | | | warmth and also that your water is providing the |
| year. | | | | nutrients that this plant needs. If it is In good health, |
| Three of the more popular floating plants are | | | | it can reproduce quite rapidly and you have to make |
| discussed below and include Parrots Feather, Water | | | | sure that it doesn't take over your water garden. |
| Lettuce, and Floating Hyacinth. | | | | Good for zones 9 to 11, Floating Hyacinth and will also |
| Parrots Feather | | | | help to clarify your water. |
| This floating plant is rather easy to care for and has | | | | Adding floating plants to your water garden will not |
| feathery foliage that is a blue green in color. parrot | | | | only help but look better but it can also help the |
| feather has stems that can grow up to 60 inches | | | | water quality be healthier and may reduce your |
| long and can provide a great spawning area for your | | | | maintenance. This is because the plants consume the |
| pond fish. It is good in zones 4to 11 and can survive | | | | same nutrients from the water that algae needs to |
| the winter is beneath the ice but may incur frost | | | | grow. Therefore, water garden plants can help keep |
| damage at the top of the pond. | | | | algae growth in check, thus increasing your water |
| Water Lettuce | | | | quality and reducing your water garden maintenance. |