15 of the Best Water Garden Plants to Grow

These pretty water garden plants thrive in or beside ponds.

Louisiana Iris
Photo:

CUTTER SMITH

Add a splash of natural beauty to ponds and other water features with these water garden plants. Some need to be planted in water, while others thrive in constantly wet soil on the edges of water features. These water-loving plants will produce either flowers or interesting foliage.

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Canna

Canna

Blaine Moats

Cannas are favorite, old-fashioned plants that you may not have considered for the water garden. They add a refreshing, tropical feel to your landscape.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged or pondside

Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type

Zones: 8-11

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Cardinal Flower

red cardinal flower lobelia cardinalis
Richard Hirneisen

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is an excellent late-summer bloomer, a perennial that will thrive at the edge of a water garden or fountain. The bright red flowers attract hummingbirds.

Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside

Size: 3 feet tall

Zones: 3-9

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Cattail

Cattail

Bill Holt

A fast spreader, cattails (Typha latifolia) produce familiar spikes of fuzzy brown blooms and beautiful grassy leaves.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged, or pondside

Size: To 6 feet tall

Zones: 2-11

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Japanese Iris

Japanese Iris
Laurie Black

Japanese iris (Iris japonica) is another favorite water garden iris that bears large, often dinner-plate size flowers in a charming gallery of brushstroke color combinations.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: 3 feet tall

Zones: 3-8

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Japanese Primrose

Japanese Primrose

W. Garrett Scholes

The perfect little plant for the water's edge, Japanese primroses (Primula japonica) are delightful perennials that thrive in acidic soils. They self-sow, resulting in a delightful colony of mixed colors within just a few seasons.

Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside

Size: To 18 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

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Lotus

Lotus

Laurie Black

One of the most elegant bloomers in any water garden, the lotus (Nelumbo spp.) produces large, striking, peony-like flowers throughout the summer. The blooms appear in a number of colors and are a perfect accent to its gorgeous blue-green leaves.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water

Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type

Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9

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Pitcher Plant

Pitcher Plant

Matthew Benson

This underused waterside plant is carnivorous, meaning it eats insects. Enjoy the tube-shaped leaves of pitcher plant (Sarracenia spp.) as well as the fascinating springtime red, purple, yellow, or green flowers.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: To 18 inches tall

Zones: 2-11, depending on type

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Swamp Lily

Swamp Lily

Bill Stites

Swamp lilies (Crinum americanum) are native to North America and bear pink or white blooms from spring to fall. Grown waterside, some types are deliciously fragrant and all are great for cutting.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: To 4 feet tall

Zones: 9-11

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Louisiana Iris

Louisiana Iris

CUTTER SMITH

Louisiana irises (Iris fulva) are native to areas of North America. Many hybrids have been developed, but one of the most elegant is the wild, red-flowered species that flourishes beside ponds.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: 3 feet tall

Zones: 5-9

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Sweet Flag

Sweet Flag

Robert Cardillo

Grow these plants for their striking foliage. Variegated types of sweet flag (Acorus calamus 'Variegata') offer bright cream and green stripes that stand out among other plants. Place them beside your water feature.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: To 5 feet tall

Zones: 4-11

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Rain Lily

Rain Lilly

Alison Barnes Martin

Like a crocus for water gardens, rain lilies (Zephyranthes spp.) produce delicate flowers during the summer months in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white. Grow them beside the water.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: To 1 foot tall

Zones: 9-11, depending on type

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Perennial Hibiscus

Perennial Hibiscus

Paul Vandevelder

You can't beat the big, bold flowers of hibiscus for a dramatic show. Native to wet areas across North America, perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is as tough and easy-to-grow as it is gorgeous, and loves being beside the water.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside

Size: To 8 feet tall

Zones: 5-10

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Taro

HGL102954

Create a tropical look with taro (Colocasia, not to be confused with Alocasia, which looks similar and shares the common name of elephant's ears). For extra drama, select one of the beautiful purple-leaf varieties.

Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside

Size: To 5 feet tall

Zones: 9-11

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Papyrus

Cyperus papyrus King Tut
Denny Schrock

While ancient Egyptians used this plant to make paper, papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is also a great water garden plant. The tall stems create a decidedly tropical look.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside or submerged

Size: To 6 feet tall

Zones: 9-11

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Water Lily

variety of colorful water lilies in pond with lily pads
Bob Stefko

A water garden isn't complete without an array of beautiful water lilies (Nymphaea spp). There are tropical and hardy types, as well as varieties that bloom during the day and at night.

Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water

Size: To 6 feet wide, depending on type

Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9

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