Marginal Pond Plants

Lycopus europaeus is gypsywort, a UK native for wet ground. It’s a quiet plant that does a good job in wildlife bog gardens, especially where you w...

Lysichiton camtschatcensis is Asian skunk cabbage, grown for huge leaves and early spring white spathes. It’s a plant for people who want bold foli...

Iris ensata 'Harlequinesque' is a Japanese iris grown for large early summer flowers. You may also see Japanese iris sold under the older name Iris...

Iris ensata 'Activity' is a Japanese iris for bog gardens and pond margins. It’s grown for large early summer flowers and upright foliage. Japanese...

Lysimachia punctata is dotted loosestrife, a tough perennial with yellow flowers along upright stems. It is not a true marginal, but it likes moist...

Phragmites australis is common reed, a tall UK native grass for wetlands and pond margins. It is useful for screening and wildlife cover, but it ne...

Mentha pulegium is pennyroyal, a low mint that likes damp soil and pond edges. It’s often used as a scented ground cover in wet spots, and it can f...

Juncus ensifolius is swordleaf rush, and 'Flying Hedgehogs' is a named form sold for its quirky flower heads. It’s a neat rush for wet soil and pon...

Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander' is a variegated dotted loosestrife with yellow flowers and cream-edged leaves. It’s a useful plant when you want su...

Cyperus 'King Tut' is an umbrella sedge grown for tall stems topped with big green umbrella heads. It’s often sold as a patio marginal for tubs and...

Physostegia virginiana is obedient plant, a late summer bloomer for damp soil. It gets its name because you can gently move the flowers on the spik...

Lychnis flos-cuculi is ragged robin, a classic damp meadow plant with airy pink flowers. It is ideal for natural bog gardens and damp meadow edges ...

Phalaris arundinacea var. picta is ribbon grass, also called gardener’s garters. It’s a wetland grass with striped leaves and a strong spreading ha...

Potentilla palustris is marsh cinquefoil, also known as Comarum palustre. It’s a proper bog plant with dark, starry flowers and a long season in we...

Petasites japonicus 'Variegatus' is variegated Japanese butterbur, grown for huge leaves with cream markings. It brings instant coverage in damp gr...

Alisma plantago-aquatica is water plantain, a native marginal found around ponds, lakes, and slow streams. It is grown for its airy flower sprays a...

Cyperus alternifolius 'Involucratus' is umbrella papyrus, grown for tall stems topped with umbrella-like heads. It gives a strong vertical accent i...

Iris louisiana 'Colorific' is a Louisiana iris grown for strong colour and reliable flowering in wet soil. It thrives in bog gardens and pond margi...

Carex panicea is carnation sedge, a UK native sedge for damp meadows and boggy ground. It is useful in bog gardens for its fine texture and low, ti...

Eriophorum angustifolium is common cottongrass, a bog plant known for its fluffy white seed heads. It is a strong feature in wet peaty soils and na...

Filipendula rubra 'Venusta Magnifica' is a large queen of the prairie with tall pink plumes in summer. It is a bold plant for spacious bog gardens ...

Eleocharis palustris is common spike-rush, a simple, reed-like native for wet soil and shallow water. It’s great for softening pond edges and givin...

Equisetum fluviatile is water horsetail, a native marginal for shallow water and saturated mud. It gives a softer, more open look than Equisetum hy...

Cotula coronopifolia is brass buttons, a low coastal plant that copes well with wet ground and short periods of flooding. It’s a handy filler for b...