Marshland Plants Around the Water Garden

Marshland Plants Around the Water Garden

No water garden is quite complete without some type of marsh land plantings around it. Now, these work best for in ground water gardens, but you may be able to get them to grow and flourish around smaller container based water gardens too. Essentially, all you need to do is be sure the water from your water garden seeps out into the surrounding area slowly, or have additional containers around your water garden which simply hold soggy soil.

In nature, marshland plants - also known as marginal water plants - grow in the soggy soil next to lakes and ponds. And with a bit of planning and attention, you can recreate this natural beauty for your own water gardens and ponds too.

Many large man made ponds which are designed for putting into the ground have various levels built into them. The shallow levels are at the outer edges of the pond, and these are often referred to as shelves. These are where the marshland plants tend to be grown. If you create - or hire someone to create - a completely natural pond of course, then you can plan for these soggy growth areas to occur naturally.

Many backyard pond lovers use the damp soil conditions around their pond to create lush, tropical style gardens. You can of course, design any marshland style you’d like though, as long as you select plants which will thrive in the wet environment around your pond.

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Garden Tip...

Always water your plants in winter time with lukewarm water, if you would have a profusion of flowers, and thrifty-growing plants. The water should be of the same temperature as the room or place where the plants are. There is no theory about it, it is a practical fact.
~ James Sheehan
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Not only do these marshland areas provide you with more greenery, shade, and beauty, they also provide local wildlife additional refuge too. Over time you may find you’ve attracted a number of birds, reptiles, butterflies and other creatures to your wet land areas and pond.

Cardinal flowers are popular marginal water plants, and these grow from two to four feet high. They have toothed leaves and produce tubular red flowers, with bloom times usually in July.

A Bengal Tiger Canna is another beautiful plant for putting at the edge of your water garden. This has pretty orange flower blooms, and lush green leaves with yellow stripes.

Calla lilies are loved by most gardeners, for both their pure white flowers and their heady scent. And these grow quite well at the edge of a water garden too.

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Garden Tip...

There are a great variety of opinions as regards the most effective way of planting flower-beds. Some prefer to mix plants of different colors and varieties, others prefer the ribbon-style of planting, now so generally in use in Europe. If the promiscuous style is adopted, care should be taken to dispose the plants in the beds, so that the tallest will be at the back of the bed; if the leader is against a wall or background of shrubbery, the others should graduate to the front, according to the hight. In open beds, on the lawn, the tallest plants should be in the centre, the others grading down to the front, on all sides, interspersing the colors so as to form the most effective contrast in shades.
~ James Vick
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There are of course hundreds of other types of plants you can choose for the wet areas around your garden pond, so be sure to research different ones, and ask at your local nursery too. If you have a water garden specialty store in your area, then go there first, because they’re usually run by experts who can offer many more suggestions, tips, and advice in creating your own water garden or pond.