The Water Garden section is going into its third year at Motts Greenhouse and continues to improve each year. We carry a good selection of Marginal plants, submerged plants, floating plants and Water Lilies. Along with the plants we carry a variety of pharmaceuticals for treating water problems.      

Marginal Plants bring color and shape to the Water Garden. They can be planted around the edge of the pond if its a rubber liner, or they can be left in the pot if the pond is a pre-formed liner. Some Marginals will adapt to the perennial garden if they are kept moist, this can be ideal for making the transition between the pond and other gardens. Marginals can be 6 feet tall or 2 inches tall, they can stay where they are put or they can ramble along the pond edge.

Submerged Plants also known as Oxygenators perform a few unique functions for the Water Garden. First they compete with algae for nutrients in the water, which can help reduce the amount of algae that is able to grow. The second task that Oxygenators perform is that they put oxygen back into the water better than the other water plants. Third submerged plants provide a habitat for the fish to spawn and hide from predators. These plants are sold in bunches and not individually. One to two bunches per square feet of surface area is recommended.

Floating Plants simply float on the surface of the pond with their roots dangling free in the water; they do not need to be planted. These plants feed on nitrogen and phosphate that could other wise cause an algae bloom. Some Floating Plants are hardy while others are not. The best thing to do with them at the end of the season is to throw them into a compost pile, since they are rich in nitrogen they will add extra nutrients to the pile.

Water Lilies are the center of attention for almost every Water Garden because of their beautiful colors and their intense fragrance. Lilies are like Marginals, they grow with their roots and stems in the soil below the water surface, but their leaves float on the water. Lilies provide shade for the fish during the hot summer days and help to keep the water temperature from falling during the night. Hardy Lilies are hardy in zones 3 to 11, prefer depths of 6 to 36 inches; some Lilies will grow in depths of 8 feet. Hardy Lilies bloom when the water temperature is above 65 degrees and bloom between 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Some hardy Lilies will change bloom colors. Tropical Lilies are hardy in zones 10 to 11, prefer depths of 6 to 24 inches; some will grow in depths up to 6 feet. Tropical Lilies bloom when the water temperature is above 72 degrees. Some Tropical Lilies bloom during the day and some even bloom at night depending on the type. Tropical Lilies also tend to be more intense in their fragrance.

Here is a picture of a Hardy Red Water Lily. Last year we carried Red, Yellow, White, Pink, and a changeable Lily that opened Yellow and turned bronze.

Water gardens are nice because there are so many different things that can be done with them. Water falls can be put in at the top of a pond and streams can used to cascade the water to the bottom. The side of water gardens are a nice place to sit and just relax after a busy day at work. The gentle flow of water and watching fish play can be very calming.