Water Hawthorn (Aponogenton)
Aponogeton distachyos is one of one of the most effective Deep-water aquatics, currently its a simple plant to grow with leaves which tend to be evergreen and flowers that appear for months on end. These curious flowers borne on spikes which float at the surface, each flower has waxy white petals and black anthers. The fragrance is powerful, variously described as 'vanilla and 'Hawthorn-like'. The oblong leaves are sometimes blotched with brown and also the eventual spread is about 2 ft. Unlike a Water Lily it should flourish in partial shade and moving water, but be sure that it is deep enough for the tubers to be below the ice in winter.
Pond Lily (Nuphar)
It is a relative from the Water Lily family however it will not be as attractive as it's illustrious cousin. The flowers are small, rather plain and are carried on thick stems above the water. You will discover, however, a few distinct advantages, light ans shade is no problem and neither is moving water. For an average sized pond choose 'Nuphar minima' (N. pumila). The yellow flowers are about 1inch across and also the under-water foliage is translucent. Unfortunately, the types on offer tend to be the giant ones for example N. lutea (Brandy Bottle) with its 3 inch bottle shaped yellow flowers which smell strongly of alcohol. This is only ideal for a sizable pond or lake.
Water Fringe (Nymphoides)
There is just one basic species - Nymphoides peltata, commonly referred to as Floating Heart. Inside the catalogues you may find it listed as Villarsia bennettii or Limnanthermum nymphoides. The miniature Water Lily-like leaves measure about 2 inches across and are often crinkly edged and blotched or spotted with brown. The 11/2 inch yellow flower is more sort of a Buttercup than a Water Lily, and also the petal edges are fringed. The blooms are borne in small clusters. This is a useful plant for giving rapid surface cover before Water Lilies have become established, however it can get out of hand.
Golden Club (Orontium)
Orontium aquaticum is mostly a trouble free and non-invasive plant with only one fussy requrement, it does need a lot of soil, so remember to plant it in a deep Water Lily basket. It should grow in shallow water, but it needs a planting depth of not less than 1ft. if you want the leaves to float around the water surface instead of standing erect out of the water. The foliage is attractive with blue-green above and silvery below. The biggest feature of this member from the Arum family is the unusual flower head. This stands above the water similar to a pure white pencil that has a tip that is coloured gold by a mass of little yellow florets. This is one aquatic plant that I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.
Author Resource:
For my next article I will be writing about the floating plants that you may think about placing into your pond. You can get eight specifically that I would like to mention so I may have to split them into a couple of small articles. Happy reading to you all. I would also like to take this chance to thank the 'gardener london ' company who have given me help and advise during the countless years that I have been gardening.
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