Aquatic plants are a must for a healthy, clear water garden. The most popular types of aquatic plants include floaters, water lilies, and marginal plants. Using a combination of aquatic plants can also help to control the common pond problem of Algae. You can't speak about aquatic plants without addressing the Queen of all pond plants Algae.

Algae to a pond is like crabgrass to a Bermuda lawn. When shopping for plants it is important to understand the eco-system within the pond. Waste builds up in the pond via fish waste, dead leaves and excess fish food. These organics decompose in the bottom of your pond, releasing nutrients (Nitrates) into the water. Nitrates are plant fertilizer. In a pond with no plants, nature will plant the pond with Algae to balance itself. Algae can be drastically reduced simply by adding aquatic plants. Plants added to the pond will consume most of the available nutrients starving the algae. Here are a few plant types that Pike recommends:

Floaters are a natural filter for your pond and include Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce and Fairy Moss. These plants have roots that suspend in the water, filtering the water by consuming nitrates. Floaters clarify your pond water by trapping floating particles. They also provide shade and shelter for fish. Most importantly, floaters draw all of their nutrients from the water. Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce are heavy feeders and fast growers. They will often double in quantity every ten days. Fairy Moss is another rapid spreader that can quickly cover a small pond. However, in ponds where fish are present, the growth of Fairy Moss is controlled by consumption.

Water lilies are flowering plants with attractive foliage and a wide assortment of flower colors, making them one of the most popular aquatic plants. Lilies float their leaves and blooms on the water's surface while the roots remain in pots placed on the bottom of the pond. Water lilies grow at a water depth of 18-24". Types of water lilies include:

• Dwarf Lilies which grow at a depth of 6-18" and are great for a small pond
• Full sized Lilies which grow at a depth of 18-24"
• Hardy Water Lilies stay in your pond all season
• Tropical Water Lilies do not tolerate freezing temperatures but have great bloom production all summer
• Night Blooming Water Lilies have flowers that open up as the sun sets

Marginal plants include Canna, Rush, Lotus and Cattails. These are shallow water plants growing in water from 4-12" deep. Marginal plants are great for pond banks, steambeds and shallow pond areas. Marginal plants give you great flexibility and variety.

• Lotus will give you large green foliage making a great background with large blooms held 3-4 feet high. Be careful with Lotus. It can be very invasive.
• Iris grow 2-4 feet tall and come in an assortment of colors
• Canna gives your pond a tropical look with foliage 4-6" wide and 12-18" tall.
• Rush and Cattails are perfect for naturalizing pond areas. These two plants have long slender foliage that soften the pond bank.

To learn more about pond plants, please speak with a plant certified professional at any Pike Nurseries.