Choosing Plants for a Container Water Garden

Plants grown in a container water garden will need more care than plants grown in a large pond. This is because they can outgrow their small space rather quickly. By choosing the correct types of plants for a container water garden, you will have a beautiful and easy to maintain feature.

Choosing Plants for a Container Water Garden - Submerged Plants

The first category of plants suitable for a container water garden is submerged plants. These plants are oxygenating and most of the plant foliage will remain below the surface of the water.

Submerged plants should be planted on the bottom of the container you are using for your container water garden. Some of the submerged aquatic plants suitable for a container water garden include Autumn Starwort and Needle Spike-rush.

Autumn Starwort is ideal for a container water garden as it thrives in shallow water. It is also one of the few submerged plants that remain active throughout the year. In the summer, it produces star-shaped leaves on the surface of the water.

Needle Spike-rush does very well in a container water garden. This aquatic plant is also evergreen and its dense foliage creates a very attractive effect under the surface of the water.

Choosing Plants for a Container Water Garden - Lilies

The second category of plants suitable for a container water garden is lilies and other lily-like plants. These types of plants have root systems on the bottom of the container but the flowers/foliage will emerge on the surface.

Lilies and Lily-like plants should be planted on the bottom of the container you are using for your container water garden. As the plant matures, the flowers/foliage will rise to the surface of the water. Some of the lily and lily-like aquatic plants suitable for a container water garden include Water Hawthorn and Floating Heart.

Water Hawthorn is ideal for a container water garden because it is very easy to grow and care for. The leaves are evergreen and the flowers appear in the spring and early summer. Water Hawthorn will also thrive in partial shade and harbors a beautiful vanilla scent.

Floating Heart is a great plant for a container water garden because of its small size. The leaves of this plant resemble miniature water lilies and the small flowers look like those of a buttercup. The flowers can be seen on the surface of the water from midsummer to early fall.

Choosing Plants for a Container Water Garden - Marginal Plants

The third category of plants for a container water garden is marginal plants. These types of plants have roots in the water but the flowers and foliage are held above the water.

Marginal plants should be planted in a planting basket and stood on bricks. There should be 2-3 inches of water above the crown of the plant. This is a necessity for the plant to survive in a container water garden. Some of the marginal plants suitable for a container water garden include Water Forget-Me-Not and Double Yellow Kingcup.

Water Forget-Me-Not is suitable for a container water garden because of its size and hardiness. They will often creep over the sides of the container and take root in the soil nearby.

Double Yellow Kingcup is a great marginal plant for a container water garden because of their size and specifications. These plants are best grown around the edges of the container and produce beautiful yellow flowers.