Coastal plants. Aquatic and coastal flowers: photos, names and descriptions
Recently, it has become very fashionable among gardeners to create mini-reservoirs in their garden plots: ponds, lakes, and other waterways. It goes without saying that in this case one cannot do without coastal aquatic vegetation, because it is the main decoration of reservoirs. There are many thousands of species of plants living in water, but not all of them are suitable for growing in the middle zone. On this page you will learn the names of aquatic flowers and plants of the coastal zone, adapted to our conditions. You can also get acquainted with the description of aquatic plants and see their photographs.
Plants of the aquatic environment and coastal zone of water bodies
Calamus (ACORUS). Family Araceae.
Air (Image root) (A. calamus)- rhizomatous perennial 50-80 cm high with straight sword-shaped leaves. Small greenish inflorescences-cobs are not interesting.
In the variety "Variegatus" the leaves are green with yellowish stripes along the edges (they are pinkish in spring).
Growing conditions. Near water, planting depth 8-20 cm.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring).
This coastal plant is used to decorate the banks of reservoirs.
Watch (MENYANTHES). A family of shift workers.
Three-leaf watch (M. trifoliata)- a perennial with a thick, long, branched rhizome, growing in stagnant water, along the marshy banks of rivers and lakes in the temperate zone of Eurasia. Blue-green trifoliate leaves on long petioles give the plant a decorative appearance. The flowers of this coastal aquatic plant are white and pink, collected in a dense raceme.
Growing conditions. Low banks of reservoirs, shallow waters.
Reproduction. Sections of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer). Planting density - 12 pcs. per 1 m2.
Used to decorate ponds.
Mertensia (MERTENSIA). Borage family.
Rhizomatous perennials, mainly growing along the seashores in North America and the Far East, are also found in the middle zone. The leaves are grayish-blue, lanceolate; inflorescence - a curl of bright blue flowers.
Types and varieties:
Mertensia ciliata (M. ciliata)- height 4050 cm.
Mertensia marine (M. maritima)- height 10-15 cm.
Mertensia virginiana (M. virginica)- height 40 cm.
Growing conditions. Moist, poor sandy soils in sunny locations.
Reproduction. By seeds (sowing in spring), dividing the bush (in spring). Juveniles, divide and replant in the 3rd-4th year. Planting density - 25 pcs. per 1 m2.
Sedge (CAREX). The sedge family.
Perennial rhizomatous herbs with dense, narrow, like cereal, leaves and thin spikelets. Numerous species are widely distributed throughout the world, but only a few are used as ornamental plants.
Types and varieties:
Sedge Buchanana(C. buchananii)- 60 cm high, brownish leaves.
Sedge Morrow (C. morrowii), variety "Variegata" - height 50 cm.
rusty spotted (C. siderosticta) And hairy (C. pillosa)- forest sedges.
drooping sedge (C. pendula)- up to 100 cm high, semi-aquatic.
Growing conditions. This coastal plant of water bodies is planted in areas with any soil and sufficient moisture. Forest sedge species prefer shady areas.
Reproduction. By seeds (sowing in spring) and dividing the bush (late summer). Planting density - 9-12 pcs. per 1 m2.
Cattail (TYPHA). Cattail family.
This is coastal aquatic vegetation with a creeping thick rhizome, 100-200 cm high. The leaves are broadly linear at the base of the stem. These are plants that grow near water along the banks of rivers and other bodies of water in the temperate zone of Eurasia, often forming thickets.
Types and varieties:
Broadleaf cattail (T. latijoiia)— height 100-150 cm; Cattail angustifolia (T. angustifolia)-height 100-150 cm.
Growing conditions. Wet shores of reservoirs.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring and late summer).
Huttinia (HOUTTUYNIA). Family Saururidae.
Huttinia cordate(H. cordata)— A new plant for central Russia, but it is worthy of the difficulties associated with its cultivation. The species itself, which came into cultivation from the coastal meadows of the south Far East, are rarely grown.
Varieties of interest:"Chameleon" - with leaves along the edges of which white, yellow, red spots are scattered, and "Plena" - with double flowers.
The plant is creeping, quickly forms a thicket 20-50 cm high. It blooms rarely and not abundantly in central Russia.
Growing conditions. Semi-shaded banks of reservoirs with clay soils.
Reproduction. In spring, a piece of rhizome with a renewal bud. Planting density - 16 pcs. per 1 m2.
Waterfoil (HYDROPHYLLUM). Waterfolia family.
Long-rhizome perennials from the moist forests and grasslands of eastern North America with large lobed leaves and a fluffy, branched inflorescence of pink-purple flowers. Adapted to Russian conditions, where it is planted along the banks of reservoirs.
Types and varieties:
Canadian waterfoil (H. canadense)- leaf rounded-lobed; Virginia waterfoil (H. virginianum) has an elongated lobed leaf.
Growing conditions. This coastal plant prefers semi-shaded to shady locations with moist, rich soils.
Reproduction. Sections of rhizomes with a renewal bud at the end of summer. Planting density - 16 pcs. per 1 m2.
Spleen (CHRYSOSPLENIUM). Saxifraga family.
Spleenwort alternate-leaved (Ch. alternifolium)- perennial with a fleshy stem, height 5-15 cm, leaves in the basal rosette are light green, thickened, rounded-beam-shaped; the inflorescence is flat, corymbose, the flowers are golden-green. They form thickets in damp, shady places.
Growing conditions. Semi-shaded places near reservoirs, in depressions of the relief.
Reproduction. By seeds (sowing in autumn), dividing the bush (in summer). It grows weed on wet soils. Planting density - 36 pcs. per 1 m2.
Use only in areas that imitate natural thickets. Decorative is unstable, good only in early spring.
Coastal aquatic vegetation: plants living in water and on the shore
This section presents photos of aquatic plants with names and descriptions, suitable for growing in shallow waters of fresh water bodies and along their banks.
Whitewing (CALLA). Family Araceae.
Swamp whitewing (C. palustris)- a rhizomatous perennial growing along the banks of reservoirs in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Leaves are basal on long petioles, heart-shaped, rounded. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence-cob, covered with a white ovoid veil.
Growing conditions. This light- and moisture-loving plant is grown both in shallow waters of fresh water bodies and along their banks.
Reproduction. Propagated by seeds, sowing in wet soil immediately after collection. It is best to divide the rhizomes at the end of summer. Planting density - 7 pcs. per 1 m2.
Look at the photo: this aquatic plant provides an early spring effect as part of mixed groups with summer-flowering plants; interesting in rock gardens, in flower beds, where annuals are then planted.
Sitnik (JUNCUS). Sitnikov family.
Perennial rhizomatous moisture-loving herbs. The leaves are grass-like, decorative capitate or paniculate inflorescences.
Types and varieties. S. acutiflorus (J. acutiflorus) - up to 100 cm high, paniculate inflorescence; With. spreading (J. effusus) - up to 150 cm high, inflorescence fascicle-paniculate; With. xiphoid (J. ensifolius) - 20-30 cm high, inflorescence capitate, dark brown; With. glaucous (J. glaucus) - 60-90 cm high, bluish leaves.
Growing conditions. Sunny shores of reservoirs at a depth of 0-5 cm.
Reproduction. Rhizome sections in spring or late summer.
Buttercup (RANUNCULUS). Ranunculaceae family.
A large genus, the species of which are widely found everywhere, but only a few of the most decorative perennials are used in culture. Among them there are also aquatic plants, but more often buttercups grow on the shores of reservoirs.
Types and varieties:
Aquatic and semi-aquatic: L. caustic (R. acris), variety “Multiplex” height 50-70 cm, water depth 0-10 cm.
Water buttercup(R. aquatilis)— water depth 40-100 cm; l. longifolia(R. lingua)- depth 0-20 cm, variety Grandiflora.”
Buttercup cappadocian (R. cappadocicus)- from the forests of the Caucasus, consistently decorative, forms thickets.
Growing conditions. Aquatic - in reservoirs with standing water and in shallow water; l. Cappadocian - in the shade.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring). Planting density - 25 pcs. per 1 m2.
Fed up (CYPERUS). The sedge family.
Galingale (C. longus)- a long-rhizome perennial that grows along the banks and in shallow waters (depth up to 20 cm) of standing and slowly flowing waters. If we talk about which aquatic plants are most common in central Russia, then the seaweed is mentioned most often. Its tall (60-120 cm) leafy stem rises above the water, bearing an openwork umbrella with long (10-40 cm) “rays” carrying a bunch of small brownish spikelets. Consistently decorative. Forms loose thickets.
Growing conditions. Reservoirs.
Reproduction. Sections of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer).
Reed (PHRAGMITES). Poa family (grasses).
Common reed (P. communis)- long-rhizome tall grass (150-200 cm), forming thickets along the banks and shallow waters of reservoirs.
Growing conditions. Sunny and semi-shaded areas with wet soils, low banks of reservoirs. This coastal plant can also be grown in shallow water.
Reproduction. Sections of rhizomes with a renewal bud (spring, late summer). Planting density - 5 pcs. per 1 m2.
Perennial aquatic flowers and ornamental herbaceous plants
Aquatic flowers and plants are a real decoration of ponds. But herbaceous aquatic plants are no less interesting, attracting attention with their rich greenery.
Arrow leaf (SAGITTARIA). Chastukhov family.
These are aquatic flowers, which are rhizomatous perennials, rooted at a depth of 10-50 cm. The leaves are dark green, shiny, dense. Flowers in inflorescence are a sparse raceme.
Types and varieties:
Arrowhead Broadleaf(S. LatifoLia)- height 50-70 cm, flowers with a yellow center; arrowhead arrowhead (S. sagittifoLia) - height 30-50 cm, flowers with a red center.
Growing conditions. Planting in reservoirs with standing or slowly flowing water to a depth of 10-50 cm.
Reproduction. By seeds (sowing in spring in containers and then planting in water).
Chastukha (ALISMA). Chastukha family.
A perennial aquatic plant with beautiful ribbed leaves on long petioles. They bloom all summer. The flowers are small, with three petals, arranged in whorls.
Types and varieties:
Chastukha plantain (A. plantagoaquatica)- pink flowers; small-flowered chastuha (A. parviflora) - white flowers.
Growing conditions. These plants live in an aquatic environment in the shallow waters of natural reservoirs. Planting depth 5-10 cm.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (summer) or seeds (spring).
Wetland plants growing near water
Marigold (CALTHA). Ranunculaceae family.
Marsh marigold(C. palustris)– a perennial wetland plant with a short rhizome. The basal leaves are entire, round, bright green, shiny. The flowers are bright yellow, as if varnished. Abundant seed production in July-August. More often in gardens, the double form of this species is grown - marsh marigold "Multiplex".
Growing conditions. Sunny places with clay soils that retain water well.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush at the end of summer. The bush grows slowly, so division is carried out after 6-7 years. It is propagated by freshly collected seeds; they germinate the following spring, but the seedlings bloom in the 5-6th year. Planting density - 9 pcs. per 1 m2.
An excellent plant for decorating the banks of reservoirs and in “natural garden” flower beds that imitate wet meadows. Here marigold is planted together with loosestrife, drooping sedge, knotweed, crayfish, etc.
Reed (SCIRPUS). The sedge family.
Bulrush (S. lacustris)- a perennial with a thick creeping rhizome 100-120 cm high, growing along the banks of reservoirs in Europe and North America. The inflorescence is paniculate, the leaves are subulate.
Growing conditions. Wet, low places along the banks of reservoirs.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring and late summer), by seeds (sowing before winter).
Swamp flower (NYMPHOIDES). A family of shift workers.
Marsh-leaved herb(N. peltata)- an aquatic perennial with a rhizome, rounded shiny leaves on long petioles and numerous flowers emerging from the leaf axil. The name of this aquatic plant speaks for itself - it prefers exclusively marshy areas.
Growing conditions. Reservoirs with standing or slowly flowing water, depth 20-100 cm.
Reproduction. By seeds (into the ground under water), by dividing the bush.
Used when decorating reservoirs.
Floating aquatic flowering and herbaceous plants
Watercolor (HYDROCHARIS). Family of watercolors.
Common watercolor (H. morsusranae)- a floating aquatic plant of standing or slowly flowing waters with developed shoots and rounded dense dark green leaves in rosettes on long petioles and white 15-30 cm, flowering all summer.
Growing conditions. Aquatic plant.
Reproduction. Seeds, rosettes of leaves.
Used in ponds.
Water chestnut (TRAPA). Water chestnut family.
Common water chestnut (T. natans)- annual aquatic herbaceous plants growing in slowly flowing waters. There are thread-like submerged leaves and a beautiful rosette of floating leaves.
Growing conditions. Reservoirs.
Reproduction. Place seeds (nuts) on the bottom of the reservoir in the fall.
Used to decorate natural reservoirs.
Capsule (NUPHAR). The water lily family.
Yellow egg capsule(N. iutea)- perennial aquatic flowering plant with a fleshy underwater rhizome and wide, dense, leathery leaves above the water. A large waxy flower appears above them in June. The name of these aquatic flowers is quite justified - the flower really resembles a water capsule. Widely distributed in natural reservoirs of the temperate zone.
Growing conditions. Ponds, lakes with standing or slowly flowing water, at a depth of 30-80 cm.
Reproduction. Seeds (sow freshly harvested), sections of rhizome with renewal bud (at the end of summer). Planting density - 12 pcs. per 1 m2.
Waterlily (NYMPHAEA). The water lily family.
The genus includes about 30 species of aquatic plants growing in water bodies of temperate and tropical zones.
Types and varieties. In the reservoirs of central Russia, white plant (N. alba) grows - a rhizomatous perennial with round, unequal leaves on long petioles floating on the surface of the water. The leaves are green above, reddish below.
Look at the photo of these aquatic flowers - they are all large, mostly white. They have a pronounced aroma.
Numerous varieties available k. hybrid (N. xhybrida):
"Gladstoniana", "Fire Opal"
"Hollandia", "Rose Arey" and etc.
Growing conditions. These aquatic flowering plants prefer ponds with standing or slowly flowing water and grow at a depth of 30-100 cm.
Reproduction. Seeds (in the fall to the bottom of the reservoir), sections of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer in the soil of the reservoir). Planting density - 12 pcs. per 1 m2.
These ornamental aquatic plants are used to decorate ponds.
Aquatic plants of the coastal zone of the pond, growing in the water and on the shore
Susak (BUTOMUS). Susakov family.
Susak umbrella (B. umbellatus)- grows in water bodies of Europe and Asia. Height 60-100 cm. This is a common aquatic plant of ponds and lakes (reservoirs with standing water) with long linear-triangular leaves and a large terminal umbrella-shaped inflorescence of large pink flowers.
Growing conditions. This is a plant that grows both in water and on the shore.
Reproduction. Cuttings of rhizomes in spring and late summer.
Manna (GLYCERIA). Poa family.
Mannik is the largest (G. maxima)- a tall (70-100 cm) perennial with a long creeping rhizome, forms thickets in coastal waters at a depth of 0-10 cm. The leaves are wide, with white stripes, blooms in July-August. The panicle is spreading. Manna is a plant that grows in the water of ponds and lakes, as well as in water meadows and near streams.
Growing conditions. Sunny and semi-shaded shores of reservoirs. It is also possible to plant lengthwise at a depth of up to 10 cm.
Reproduction. This plant of the coastal zone of the pond and shallow waters reproduces by cuttings of rhizomes with a renewal bud at the end of summer.
Their fate is to constantly look into the dark surface of the water. Because they grow on the very edge. Sometimes on land, sometimes running into the water, and sometimes finding ourselves almost completely immersed in it...
We are talking about coastal plants. Those that we meet in the shallow waters of ponds, lakes and rivers. Many of them also thrive on low, damp banks of garden ponds.
What is the most famous plant that lives on the shores of Russian water bodies? Right, reed (Scirpus). Only when we talk about it, we most often mean something completely different. True reeds are an extensive genus, including about 200 species of moisture-loving plants with a triangular or rounded stem and inflorescences - medium-sized brownish spikelets, collected in spreading umbrellas or denser heads. Some species have been introduced into cultivation, and very decorative varieties have been created on their basis. The ones most often used are those derived from lake reed (S. lacustris): "Albescens"- its shoots are painted white with narrow green longitudinal stripes; "Golden Spears"- with stems that are bright yellow in spring and green in summer; "Zebrinus"- with bright yellow horizontal stripes on a dark green background of the stems.
It is perhaps difficult in central Russia to find a swamp or just a wet ditch or hollow where one would not settle cattail
(Typha). This is what is colloquially called reed - a plant with long sword-shaped leaves and spectacular, large, dark brown inflorescences that are velvety to the touch. In the non-chernozem zone the most common broadleaf cattail
(T. latifolia). To the south this species is replaced by thickets Cattail angustifolia
(T. angustifolia) And small cattail
(T. minima). All of them are very decorative, but they are rarely planted in garden ponds. The reason is amazing aggressiveness. Strong, thick rhizomes grow at such a speed that in a short time they can occupy the entire pond. Sometimes cattails settle on their own, with the help of the wind or birds carrying seeds. 
Motherland calamus swamp (Acorus) - Southeast Asia, although now it can be found in water bodies of the temperate zone throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In its “wild” form, it settles in well-lit shallow waters, forming extensive clumps of sword-shaped, bright green leaves up to 1 m high. Its inflorescences, similar to dense green cobs, do not always appear and, as a rule, are hardly noticeable. When rubbed, the leaves emit a strong, pleasant odor, which is why they used to cover floors in villages, and calamus essential oil is used in perfumery and medicine. The shape is cultivated for decorative purposes "Variegatus", with wide cream stripes along the edges of the leaf blades. Planted in well-lit shallow waters of garden ponds. The plant requires minimal care; you just need to take care that it does not end up in a dry place before wintering, otherwise it will freeze.
Among the huge number of species sedge (Carex) there are quite a few moisture-loving, cold-resistant and quite decorative. But to decorate garden ponds, they often choose not natural species, but varieties created on their basis. Among them is the variety "Variegata" coastal sedge (C. riparia), the long narrow leaves of which are painted with white and green longitudinal stripes; "Morning Star"Gray's sedge (C. grayi), forming slender bushes 60-80 cm high with large green star-shaped fruits; variety "Aurea"sedge straight (C. elata, syn. C. stricta), having original golden-striped leaves; as well as several varieties sedge muskengen or palm (C. muskingumensis): "Oehme"- with yellow stripes along the edges of the leaves, "Silberstreif"- with white stripes on the leaves, "Watchposten"- with shoots that look like small palms.
Bolotnitsa, sitnyag (Eleocharis) - an elegant plant from the sedge family, several species of which ( swamp swamp , needle-shaped etc.) grow in the humid corners of the middle zone. In bright places with slightly acidic soil, their delicate thin stems form dense thickets. The inflorescences look like tiny cones at the top of the shoots.
Sitnik (Juncus) - another "aggressor". This attractive plant with dense bushes of numerous leafless shoots, reminiscent of chives, spreads very quickly by self-sowing. Therefore, natural forms are suitable only for large natural gardens. Small bodies of water are often decorated with varieties rush (J. inflexus) - "Afro", "Spiralis" with shoots twisted in the form of spirals, or "Cuckoo"- variety spreading rush (J. effuses), with transverse golden-yellow stripes on green shoots. Varietal plants are propagated by dividing the bush during the entire growing season.
Glyceria large , or manna (Glyceria), is a very unpretentious cereal. In ornamental gardening, a variegated form with bright creamy-yellow stripes on the leaves is used. In relatively dry places, glyceria does not grow very much, but in more comfortable conditions - on the damp banks of reservoirs or in shallow water - it is a real aggressor.
Having built a pond in the garden, it looks boring and lifeless. It is urgently necessary to populate the reservoir with plants, plant perennial plants, lush cereals and ornamental shrubs. A pond needs a decent decorative frame. Coastal plants are a prerequisite for the normal existence of a pond. Plants slightly cover the surface of the reservoir, preventing the water from overheating and “blooming”.
The coastal zone of the reservoir and stream is heterogeneous. Plants that are characteristic of swamps, wet and even dry places are planted near the reservoir. In addition to humidity, you need to take into account the nature of the soil and the lighting conditions of the area.
Daylilies are especially good in the coastal zone, where they form a beautiful curtain.
In shallow water, you can plant ornamental plants, for example: calla lily, calamus, calla, marigold, susak, Siberian irises, sedge, arrowhead, cattail and reed.
There is a very large selection of marsh plants - astilbe, volzhanka, meadowsweet, gravilat. A variety of daylilies, hostas, irises, and ferns are delightful in the swampy area. This is the place for powerful plants such as buzulnik, gunnera and rhubarb. Ferns are spectacular.
The order of placement of coastal plants is based on shape and color contrast. For example, the slender swords of the marsh iris emphasize the delicate openwork of fern leaves. The delightful yellow flowers of the swimsuit will brighten the shadiest corner of any pond.
When planting plants near a pond, you need to take into account the characteristics of marsh and coastal plants. The roots of shallow-water perennial plants are located in the soil under water no more than 40 cm, and the rest of the shoots are above the water. These plants are unpretentious; they develop well not only in the coastal zone of the reservoir, but also in a miniature reservoir. With good humidity, shallow water plants can grow in marshy and coastal areas, planted several centimeters above the water level.
Swamp plants have roots and leaves that rise above the surface of the water. Almost all marsh plants can tolerate flooding. If the roots reach the water, nothing will happen to the plants of this group. 
There is no need to plant too many perennial plants in the coastal zone. The first years the appearance of the pond will be a little modest, but after a year the plants will grow and turn your pond into a real jungle.
Coastal plants are planted in groups, placing the lowest plants close to the pond. Large plants, like gunnera, are only suitable for planting on the shore of a large body of water. A fashionable element in the design of a reservoir is weeping willow, grafted onto a standard. But when planting a willow, remember that the shadow should not cover the mirror of your pond. In the shade of a tree you can place a composition of hostas, ferns and other shady plants.
Below in the tables we have systematized and presented for you the most common coastal and submerged plants that can be grown in the middle zone. Both generally require moist soil and a sunny location, and planting depth is also important.
The table shows other important parameters for selecting plants: height, color of leaves and flowers, care requirements. We hope that the compiled table will be useful to you.
Please visit the "Aquatic Plant Baskets" section of our catalog to select containers for planting plants.
In the second table you will find plants that are planted on land, some of them require shelter for the winter, and most of them also require good, resource-rich soil. Therefore, you may be interested in such sections of our catalog as: , and Fertilizers and preparations for plants
| Name | Flowering time | Height | Flower coloring | Landing location | Comments | Image |
| hedgehog | July August | up to 80 cm | Yellow | Sunny area and fertile soil | It is advisable to plant in a container to limit spreading. Submerged 5-50 cm. For large and small reservoirs, including running water. |
|
| Yellow or marsh iris (Iris pseudacorus) | June, April-October | up to 150 cm | Yellow with brown pattern | Sunny area and fertile soil. Doesn't bloom in partial shade | In nature, you can find forms with different brightness of color, for example, cream. Suitable for any body of water as a coastal and submerged plant up to 40 cm. |
 |
| June-July, April-October | up to 1 m | Bright blue or purple with a yellow streak | Same as for yellow iris. Tolerates flooding up to 20 cm | Irises are an undeniable decoration for any pond; they go well with any plants. |
 |
|
| Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) | April-May, April-June | up to 40 cm | Golden | Sunny area and fertile soil. Coastal plant. During flowering it can tolerate flooding up to 20 cm | Winter-hardy and unpretentious. All parts of the plant are poisonous. |
 |
| April-May, April-June | up to 20 cm | Often one, but large white flower, decorated with a wreath of bright yellow stamens | The same as for marsh marigold, but thin-cupped marigold does not tolerate shading | For the coastal zone, the plant is small and neat, rarely found. |
 |
|
| April-May, April-June | 1.2 m | Yellow | Same as for marsh marigold | Good winter hardiness. Used similarly to marsh marigold. |
 |
|
| July-August, May-October | up to 2.5 m | Grayish green | Undemanding, tolerates partial shade | Coastal or submerged plant up to 20 cm. Looks better in large bodies of water. When planting, it is better to plant in a container so that they do not spread. |
 |
|
| July, May-October | up to 1.5 m | Green | Unpretentious, light-loving. Immersion up to 20 cm | Easily spreads rhizomes into adjacent containers. May damage pond liner. It grows more strongly in light, moist soils and can suppress other plants. |
 |
|
| Pontederia cordifolia | Mid July - early October | up to 60 cm | Blue-violet or blue | An extremely capricious plant. Prefers open sunny places in fresh, nutritious soil. Does not tolerate soil freezing. Recommended planting depth: 8 cm below water level | In the conditions of the Moscow region it does not winter, it is recommended to change to winter storage into the room. |
 |
| June August | 25 - 100 cm | The three inner leaves are pale pink, with thin crimson veins, the three outer leaves are reddish-greenish with a purple tint. | Sunny, with silty nutrient soil. It is recommended to plant at a depth of 8-10 cm | Susak requires almost no care, but can grow too much. Therefore, when planting, it is recommended to limit the area occupied by this plant in one way or another. |
 |
|
| July, April-October | up to 30 cm | Creamy white | Sun or partial shade. Can grow without water on moisture-absorbing permeable soils | The variegated, brightly colored leaves of Houttuynia are, of course, its main decoration. The leaves of this variety are painted in the colors of a traffic light - green, yellow, red with their different shades, nuances and smooth transitions. |
 |
|
| July August | 10-70 cm | White, pale pink with yellow marigold | Sun or partial shade. Shallow water or marshy shore with fertile and clay soil. Planted at 5-20 cm | Has good winter hardiness |
 |
|
| June August | up to 60 cm | Hot pink | Unpretentious, light-loving. Immersion up to 50 cm | It is best to plant in a container to prevent spreading. Has good winter hardiness |
 |
|
| July, May-September | 90-120 cm | Brown, green, lilac | In the sun and in partial shade. Coastal or submerged up to 20 cm | It grows quickly and produces weeds. It has long been widely cultivated in landscape parks as a ground cover plant. |
 |
Coastal plants
| Name | Flowering time | Height | Flower coloring | Landing location | Comments | Image |
| June July | up to 1 m | Greenish yellow | Open, sunny places. A moist area in the garden, with humus-rich, light, silty soil | Perennial frost-resistant herbaceous plant. They are distinguished from the leaves of other aquatic plants by a “frill” along the edge. |
 |
|
| Valerian officinalis (Valeriana officinalis) | July-August, May-October | 120-180 cm | White, pale purple or pink | Wet area of soil | Collected in late autumn, less often in early spring, peeled, washed and dried rhizomes with roots are used as medicinal raw materials. |
 |
| June-July, May-October | 50-120 cm | Golden yellow | Wet area of soil | Perennial herbaceous plant, folk medicine used for medicinal purposes. |
 |
|
| June-July, April-October | 30-70 cm | Purple | A long-lived and problem-free plant. On a hot summer day it is very fragrant. |
 |
||
| June-July, August-October | up to 80 cm | Moist, loose soil in shade and partial shade | Perennial medicinal and ornamental plant. |
 |
||
| May-June, May-August | 30-60 cm | Dark purple | Sunny, moist area of soil | Perennial herbaceous plant. Listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. |
 |
|
| May-June, May-October | up to 1 m | Pink | Sunny, moist area of soil | A perennial herbaceous medicinal plant with a straight, arched, unbranched hollow stem. |
 |
|
| April May | up to 1.5 m | Pinkish white | Moist, loose soil in partial shade | Darmera is used to decorate the banks of reservoirs, where it combines well with Rogersia, astilbe and calamus iris. |
 |
|
| July, May-October | 0.8-1.4 m | Purple-red | Moist, loose soil in sun and partial shade | Domestic shrub for gardens with moist soil. We love bees and butterflies. |
 |
|
| June-July, April-October | 30-100 cm | Lilac-purple or violet | Sunny, moist area of soil | Groups of multi-colored iris will look very natural in so-called natural gardens. It also goes well with marsh iris. |
 |
|
| June-July, April-October | up to 80 cm | Dark blue | Sunny, moist area of fertile, cultivated soil | Simple varieties do not require special care. Modern hybrids, distinguished by their sophistication and even pretentiousness, require complex care. These varieties winter worse and do not always bloom profusely. |
 |
|
| May-June, April-July | 30-70 cm | Yellow or orange | Open, illuminated areas in front of trees or shrubs, large spots on the lawn | Swimsuits are good in combination with stone. Ideally, slides should imitate the natural scattering of stones and fragments of vegetation. One of the valuable properties of swimsuits is the ability to create unique, long-lasting bouquets. The bouquet is decorative until all the buds completely wither. |
 |
|
| June, April-October | 30-70 cm | Purple, white or pink | Light loamy, well-aerated fertile soils | Particular care should be taken to monitor plants planted in an open sunny place. Insufficient watering in hot sunny weather can lead to temporary wilting of leaves and inflorescences. |
 |
|
| Brown-yellow daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) | June, April-October | up to 1 m | Reddish-red tones | Sunny, moist area of soil | Natural types of daylilies are reliable, resistant to diseases and pests, do not suffer from drought and waterlogging, and are very durable. |
 |
| July, May-October | up to 1 m | Pinkish-violet, purple or white | Planted on a damp or marshy area of the coast, sunny or shaded. They don’t care about the composition of the soil | An unpretentious local plant, completely uncompetitive - you will have to make sure that others do not kill it. Winter-hardy. |
 |
|
| July-August, May-September | 60-90 cm | Blue-violet | Wet area of soil | If you want to create an oasis of serenity and tranquility in your garden, where you can relax and relieve tension after the bustle of the city and the rush of a working day, then you obviously cannot do without lobelia. |
 |
|
| May-June, April-July | up to 50 cm | Yellow | Sunny, moist area of soil | Used in folk medicine to treat burns and wounds. |
 |
|
| June-August, May-October | up to 45 cm | Greenish yellow | Light area of soil | This is an amazing fact, but the soft mantle belongs to the same large family of Rosaceae, which also includes the well-known rose. |
 |
|
| September, May-October | up to 2 m | White | Undemanding, but prefers fresh soil | When planting miscanthus, you should take into account the growth patterns of different species: while varieties of Chinese miscanthus keep their bush shape well and grow rather slowly, then sugar miscanthus can be quite aggressive. |
 |
|
| April May | up to 1.5 m | Yellow, yellow-green | Light and nutritious soils. They do not tolerate heavy and wet soils, otherwise they will rot in winter! | Grows well in open or semi-shaded areas. |
 |
|
| May, April-October | up to 30 cm | Blue with a yellow eye in the middle | Sunny, moist, fertilized area of soil | It tolerates spring drought and even frosts down to minus 5 °C. Blooms for a long time (30-40 days). |
 |
|
| June, April-October | 70-150 cm | White | Sunny, moist area of soil | It is better to keep spreading sedges in containers that can contain their pressure. |
 |
|
| August-September, May-October | up to 150 cm | Light pink to lilac purple | Sunny, moist area of soil | The window sill is a real decoration of the garden, especially at the end of summer, when large corymbose inflorescences appear against the backdrop of powerful bushes. |
 |
|
| April May | up to 20 cm | Purple pink | Sunny, moist area of soil | Small to medium-sized perennial primrose, which blooms in early spring, is distinguished by smooth leaves with a serrated edge. |
 |
|
| June July | up to 50 cm | Orange-yellow | Sunny, moist area of soil | Plant the plant in a partially shaded or, if the soil is moist enough, sunny place. Very beautiful near ponds and streams. Requires winter shelter. |
 |
|
| May, April-June | 35-60 cm | Dark bronze or purple | Sunny, moist area of soil | It is found in the temperate zone of North America and the Far East from Japan (Hokkaido and Honshu) through Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands to Kamchatka and Primorye. |
 |
|
| May, April-June | 35-60 cm | Pinkish-white with characteristic speckles | Sunny, moist area of soil | Good on rocky areas and in mixed borders in combination with peons, daffodils, and tulips. |
 |
|
| All year round | up to 50 cm | Lilac-violet | Wet area of soil | Tradescantia are able to adapt to almost any living conditions; They are shade-tolerant, but in too dark a place they turn pale, stretch out and partially lose their decorative effect. |
 |
|
| May, April-September | 20-30 cm | Light purple to whitish | Sunny, moist area of soil | The marsh violet is known as a honey-bearing and ornamental plant. In decorative floriculture, it is recommended to use it as a ground cover plant when decorating artificial reservoirs. |
 |
|
| Hosta sieboldiana "Eleganz" | July August | up to 50 cm | Pale purple to white | Nutritious, moist, well-drained soil | English gardeners advise scattering organic fertilizers over the soil surface before planting. |
 |
| June-July, April-October | up to 60 cm | Purple or white | Sunny patch of soil | The Common Blackhead species is an antioxidant, stimulates the immune system, inhibits viral diseases and inflammation. |
 |
|
| June-July, April-October | 20-70 cm | White | Pike is an unpretentious, long-living plant. Grows well in a variety of soil types. Loves sun and partial shade, but hardly blooms in shade | Prefers moist soils and moderate temperatures; does not do well in dry, hot climates. |
 |
|
| July August | 1.5-2 m | yellow | They are unpretentious to soils. They can grow in one place for 15-20 years without transplanting. Most species are frost-resistant. They are virtually not susceptible to disease. |
 |
||
| Aug. Sept | up to 1 m | yellow - fiery orange | Sunny, damp, wind-free place near a pond (partial shade, if not next to a pond) | The same as for Buzulnik angustifolia |
 |
Many people have a dream to have a small fishing or decorative pond on their personal plot. And of course, its implementation requires a lot of effort. But if all this has been completed and the pond is ready, then all that remains is to decorate it beautifully and find appropriate plants suitable for life in water. It’s worth talking separately about how to choose the right flora for your pond, focusing on some points.
Plants necessary for a pond
Determining which plants are needed for a particular pond is not as easy as it seems at first glance. A personal pond near your home is not only a striking landscape design solution, but also represents an entire ecosystem. A viable environment in which there are its own rules and principles of arrangement. It is absolutely natural that for the normal coexistence of microorganisms and the performance of various tasks, a variety of plants are needed that will perform functions different from each other. This means that the types of aquatic plants will differ in the purposes for planting them in a reservoir.
According to general principles, seedlings can be divided into:
- coastal,
- waterfowl,
- oxygenator, that is, aimed at purifying water from carbon dioxide,
- abyssal.
Moreover, if at least one plant species is excluded from this classification, then the tasks of the normal functioning of the aquatic environment will not be fulfilled and the entire ecological balance will be disrupted.
Factors influencing choice
Choosing plants for a summer cottage pond is an interesting and quite difficult task. Finding which plants will be appropriate and adequate in an existing body of water is not easy. To choose from necessary plants influenced by various factors. The purpose of the pond itself will determine what plants should be planted there. It is logical that different plants will be needed for fishing and decorative ponds.
Another factor that influences this is the allocation of one side of the pond as a recreation area. The overall design should be organically combined with the selected plants and the owner’s ideas. Therefore, along the shore where you plan to spend time, it is recommended to plant low, herbaceous plants that will not block the view of the pond and the access to it.
Plants represent more than just design
Of course, the decor of a personal pond equipped on its territory performs an aesthetic function and is an integral part of landscape design, designed to please and satisfy the needs of the owner, but its purpose is not limited to this. The plants around the pond are very important role. Thanks to their leaves, a partial shade is formed on the pond, which protects from excessive sunlight and prevents excessive appearance of algae, as well as rotting at the bottom. The water remains clean and clear much longer, and in addition, it does not warm up so much, which is of great importance for the fish living in the pond.
Plants should be planted taking into account the areas of the reservoir, depending on its depth. Closer to the center of the pond, at its deepest point, deep-sea plants are located. Floating shallow-water plants, on the contrary, are planted near the coast or in a swampy area. Plants that love moisture and thrive in damp soil are placed on the coast. And already on the shore they plant shrubs, flowers, and ground cover plants.
Rules for planting plants and designing a country pond
Before you start planting plants, you need to decide on the idea of designing your pond, understand what you want to see in the end. It is best to make a preliminary sketch of the desired result.
Note! You should not buy all the aquatic plants in a row, as this will not lead to decorating and ennobling the pond, but to turning it into something like an overcrowded, tasteless flower shop.
Plants must be selected to suit the specific needs of a particular pond. It is important that the reservoir is not too empty, but also not overcrowded. The number and types of plants that need to be filled with a pond depend on its size, the presence or absence of fish in it, and the general design of the landscape.
No more than three plants should be planted in a small pond to avoid the effect of overcrowding. A large pond is filled with six or seven species of different plants. At the same time, you need to start planting with the most unassuming perennials. And once such plants are mastered, it will be possible to add others, more demanding and even exotic ones.
There are two methods for planting plants:
- in containers,
- straight into the ground.
Reference! These methods have two sides of the coin, that is, positive and negative aspects.
The peculiarities of planting in containers are manifested in the fact that you can choose any ordinary pot for these purposes. But lattice plastic garden containers, baskets or special containers that are sold for aquatic plants are better suited. It is desirable that the cells be large enough to allow the roots to be well washed with water. A bag is lined at the bottom of such a container so that the soil does not wash out, and small pebbles are poured on top of the burlap to weigh down the container. Next, it is filled with soil and the plant is planted.
The main advantage of this method is the ease of moving plants in the pond and the ability to easily change the design and interior of the pond. If necessary, plants can be easily removed from the pond; they do not need to be dug up. And, in addition, containers inhibit the growth of the root system.
However, planting plants in containers is not suitable for small ponds, since the containers are visible in the water, which spoils the aesthetic impression, or they have to be masked, which creates unnecessary hassle. After some time, the soil becomes depleted and discomfort, starvation occurs, and, consequently, the plants begin to bloom poorly or even die. You need to know that some fish tear up the soil from the containers, which worsens the situation of the seedlings.
Planting plants directly into the ground will make the pond more natural and natural. At the beginning of the work, a soil layer of 20 or 30 centimeters is poured onto the area allocated for planting. It is necessary to choose not very fertile soil. The best option is considered to be a substrate collected from loamy soil. But if you don’t have the opportunity to make such soil yourself, you can buy special soil for aquatic plants, which is a good alternative. 
The advantage of this method of planting seedlings is that, being on permanent place, they experience less stress, bloom better, and this planting method is well suited for landscaping a pond with a high bank. However, there are also negative sides to this method. There is no way to easily move plants around the pond (and near the pond); each time for wintering, they must be dug up and replanted in containers.
Which method is more convenient to use and which will fit more organically into the design of a particular reservoir is decided only by the owner.
Properly plant plants, starting in April and until mid-July. Planting begins with deep-sea oxygen generator plants, one bunch per 1 sq.m. Containers with plants are also located every 1 sq.m. In order to launch water lilies into the pond, the water temperature must rise to 18-20 degrees. At the same time, you can fill the pond with floating plants. After planting aquatic plants, the shore is beautified.
Important! Proper planting of aquatic plants will make caring for them much easier in the future.
Types of aquatic plants
There are many pond plants. Most of them can live and develop well in both natural and artificial reservoirs. Depending on the zone where plants are located, they are classified into:
- coastal,
- floating,
- oxygen generators,
- deep sea,
- swamp
This separation of species allows you to effectively fill the space and not miss important elements for the normal functioning of the local ecosystem.
What will take root in shallow waters?
Shallow waters are usually inhabited by moisture-loving plants. Such plants give the pond a complete and bright look and are an important stage in its design.
All these seed plants are suitable for both planting in shallow water and marshy areas, so they can be fully considered not only coastal, but also marshy.
floating plants
Representatives of the flora floating on the surface of the water are classified as floating, and play a very important role for the reservoir. This way they form a shadow and prevent overheating of the water, promote its transparency, neutralize the harmful effects of decomposing substances on the cleanliness of the pond, and maintain ecological balance.
The most common green creatures of this variety are the zherushnik, wolfia, water chestnut, and azola. They are completely picky, easily adapt and grow in both sunny and shaded places. The most beautiful representatives are luronium, hydrocleis, watercolor, and bladderwort.
Peculiarity! It must be remembered that floating plants should not cover more than half of the reservoir, but it is better to plant them in small quantities.
Oxygenators
Oxygenators are a special kind of aquatic plants, as they purify water from carbon dioxide and supply it with oxygen. Outwardly, they are not as seductive as other variations, but their functionality is difficult to replace with anything. Thanks to them, they not only create an excellent environment for fish if they live in the pond, but also prevent the appearance of algae, since by absorbing minerals from the water, oxygen generators deprive the algae of food. Vivid examples are:
- pondweed,
- urut,
- elodea,
- hornwort
Deep sea plants
Abyssal representatives of the flora live in the water column at a depth of more than 40 centimeters. As a rule, this place is located in the center of the pond, so such seed plants are the main decoration of the reservoir.
Reference! Since the center of the reservoir is its main zone and attracts the most attention, it is worth planting deep-sea plants there that will be noticeable on the surface.
Care
Aquatic crops planted in a country pond require careful attention and care, just like garden shrubs and flowers. Accordingly, to take care of them you will need special scissors adapted for working in water, pruning shears, tongs, special fertilizers, and a net.
Yellowed leaves must be immediately cut off using scissors, and if they are far from the shore, you can pull them in with a net and complete the task.
It is important to promptly remove fallen flowers or leaves from the pond. Otherwise, rotting will begin, which will harm both the reservoir and its inhabitants.
You should not cut dry plants in the coastal zone and shallow waters, as in winter they will be ideal conductors of oxygen under the ice. But when spring comes, they will need to be removed. And before the onset of winter, you should cut off the wintering buds and store them in a warm place until the next season.
An important condition The comfortable existence of pond flora is the use of high-quality fertilizers.
Conclusion
Owning your own body of water brings moral and aesthetic satisfaction. And to make the pond pleasing to the eye when creating plant decor, the main thing is not to overdo it. A harmonious structure of plants should decorate the interior of the pond, filling the contemplator with positive emotions and leaving harmony and peace in the soul.