Marginal Pond Plants

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...

Lilaeopsis brasilensis is Brazilian micro sword, a low, grass-like marginal that can form a short carpet. It is often used to edge ponds and soften...

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...

Iris versicolor 'Kermesina' is a cultivar of blue flag iris, a wetland iris that suits bog gardens and pond edges. It is a tough iris that copes we...

Ligularia przewalskii is Przewalski's golden ray, grown for tall flower spikes and bold foliage. It likes moisture and it works well on the damp ed...

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...

Houttuynia cordata 'Boo-Boo' is a compact, variegated houttuynia grown for colourful heart-shaped leaves. It’s often sold as a chameleon plant type...

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...

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...

Equisetum scirpoides is dwarf horsetail, a low-growing relative of larger horsetails. It forms neat clumps of thin green stems and suits small bog ...

Eupatorium cannabinum is hemp agrimony, a UK native for damp ground and pond edges. It is valued for late summer pink flower heads that attract ins...

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...

Gratiola officinalis is hedge hyssop, a low perennial for wet ground and pond edges. It produces small pale flowers and suits natural-style bog pla...

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...