Pond and Bog Plants
Rodgersia
Rodgersia are hardy herbaceous perennials. They can live in part sun or shade. They can live in bog conditions or in the garden
Gunnera manicata
The giant rhubarb is very robust perennial with giant leaves 1-2m in width. It prefers full to part shade but will tolerate some sun.
Tiny red-brown flowers grow in erect panicles to 1m in height.
Protect in winter by covering the plant with straw and layering up all the leaves once pruned off in a big stack on top of the crown.
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense, often called mare’s tail, is an invasive, deep-rooted perennial that will spread quickly to form a dense carpet of foliage, crowding out less vigorous plants in beds and borders. Best planted in containers. Horsetail can grow 2 tall and is winter hardy. It can live in sun or shade.
Cyperus papyrus
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The Egyptian paper rush is a perfect plant for adding a touch of drama to the edge of a pond. It forms a clump of upright stems, topped with rounded umbels, each bearing a small, red-brown flower.
Grow Cyperus papyrus in a sheltered site in boggy soil in full sun. Cut foliage back in autumn and move under glass, ideally in a pot resting in water. Hardy if planted deep enough so as the roots can not freeze in water.
Gunnera Tinctoria
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The Gunnera tinctoria has more rounded, deeply lobed leaves than the Gunnera manicata, while its leaf stalks are shorter. The flowering spike of Gunnera tinctoria is shorter and its individual spikes smaller and less open than those of Gunnera manicata.
The tinctoria prefers full to part shade but will tolerate some sun.
Protect in winter by covering the plant with straw and layering up all the leaves once pruned off in a big stack on top of the crown.
Water lily
Lotus are a stunning addition to any pond. most varieties are hardy and go dormant in cooler weather with less sunlight. If your pond does not freeze solid, your lotus will go dormant and will be fine left where they are.
Variegated Butterbur
Petasites japonicus variegatus, also known as fuki or sweet coltsfoot, is a rhizomatous perennial that has huge basal leaves that form dense spreading clumps of foliage to 3’ tall and 5’ wide.
Hardy and best grown in a shady location.
Japanese Butterbur
Butterbur are a rhizomatous perennial that has huge basal leaves that form dense spreading clumps of foliage to 3’ tall and 5’ wide.
Hardy and best grown in a shady location.
Corkscrew Rush
The corkscrew rush is a very versatile plant. It thrives equally well in well-drained soil or slightly boggy or marsh areas. The Perennial corkscrew rush makes an excellent plant for use near a water feature, in container gardens, or even as an indoor specimen. Winter hardy.