Gardening Landscaping Water Gardens The Best Water Garden Plants By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on June 7, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Add natural beauty to your water garden with the top-performing varieties. 01 of 16 Lotus One of the most elegant bloomers in any water garden, the lotus produces large, exotic, 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. Name: Nelumbo selections Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9 02 of 16 Louisiana Iris Louisiana irises are native to areas of North America. Many hybrids have been developed, but one of the most elegant is the wild, red-flowered species, I. fulva, that flourishes beside ponds. Name: Iris fulva Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: 3 feet tall Zones: 5-9 03 of 16 Pitcher Plant This underused waterside plant is carnivorous, meaning it eats insects. Enjoy the tube-shaped leaves as well as the fascinating springtime red, purple, yellow, or green flowers. Name: Sarracenia hybrids Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: To 18 inches tall Zones: 2-11, depending on type 04 of 16 Canna 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. Name: Canna selections Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged or pondside Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type Zones: 8-11 05 of 16 Swamp Lily Swamp lilies 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. Name: Crinum americanum Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: To 4 feet tall Zones: 9-11 06 of 16 Sweet Flag Grow these plants for their striking foliage. Variegated types offer bright cream and green stripes that stand out among other plants. Place them beside your water feature. Name: Acorus calamus 'Variegata' Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: To 5 feet tall Zones: 4-11 07 of 16 Rain Lily Like a crocus for water gardens, rain lilies produce delicate flowers during the summer months in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white. Grow them beside the water. Name: Zephyranthes selections Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: To 1 foot tall Zones: 9-11, depending on type 08 of 16 Cattail A fast spreader, cattails produce familiar spikes of fuzzy brown blooms and beautiful grassy leaves. Name: Typha latifolia Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged, or pondside Size: To 6 feet tall Zones: 2-11 09 of 16 Japanese Primrose The perfect little plant for the water's edge, Japanese primroses are delightful perennials that thrive in acidic soils. They self-sow, resulting in a delightful colony of mixed colors within just a few seasons. Name: Primula japonica Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside Size: To 18 inches tall Zones: 4-8 10 of 16 Perennial Hibiscus You can't beat the big, bold flowers of hibiscus for a dramatic show. Native to wet areas across North America, this perennial is as tough and easy-to-grow as it is gorgeous, and loves being beside the water. Name: Hibiscus moscheutos Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: To 8 feet tall Zones: 5-10 11 of 16 Cardinal Flower The cardinal flower is an excellent late-summer bloomer, a perennial for the edge of the water garden. The bright red flowers may attract hummingbirds. Name: Lobelia cardinalis Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside Size: 3 feet tall Zones: 3-9 12 of 16 Japanese Iris Japanese iris is another favorite water-garden iris that bears large, often dinner-plate size flowers in a charming gallery of brushstroke color combinations. Name: Iris japonica Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside Size: 3 feet tall Zones: 3-8 13 of 16 Taro Create a tropical look with taro (also sometimes called elephant's ears). For extra drama, select one of the beautiful purple-leaf varieties. Name: Colocasia selections Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside Size: To 5 feet tall Zones: 9-11 14 of 16 Papyrus While ancient Egyptians used this plant to make paper, it's also a great water-garden plant. The tall stems create a decidedly tropical look. Name: Cyperus papyrus Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside or submerged Size: To 6 feet tall Zones: 9-11 15 of 16 Water Lily A water garden isn't complete without an array of beautiful water lilies. There are tropical and hardy types, as well as varieties that bloom during the day and at night. Name: Nymphaea selections Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water Size: To 6 feet wide, depending on type Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9 16 of 16 Video: Types of Water Garden Plants Watch this video to learn about the different categories of water garden plants. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit