Ornamental Aquatics

Ornamental Aquatics include native and non-native hardy perennials as well as selected tropical aquatics intended for use in water gardens and water features. Many non-native and tropical aquatics are aggressive in their growth habit and are NOT recommended for use in earth bottom ponds or natural areas.

Select Plant Type:
Botanical Name     Common Name
A B C D E F-G H I J-L M-O P Q R S T U-Z ALL
Acorus calamus 'variegatus'

Acorus calamus 'variegatus'

Common Name: variegated sweetflag

Acorus calamus ‘variegatus’ - variegated sweetflag is hardy in zones 5-11. Variegated sweetflag has aromatic foliage and is similar to Iris in shape, but it is unpalatable to geese and deer. Variegat...


Acorus gramineus 'variegatus'

Acorus gramineus 'variegatus'

Common Name: dwarf variegated sweetflag

Similar in appearance to Acorus calamus variegatus but smaller in size and spreading less vigorously, dwarf variegated sweetflag, is a perfect choice when shorter vertical accents are needed along the pond edge. This clumping ornamental has varieg...


Arundo donax 'variegata'

Arundo donax 'variegata'

Common Name: Variegated giant reed grass

Hardy in Zones 6-11, Arundo donax variegata is usually sought after for its white & green foliage which  gives a bamboo like tropical effect. The variegated species is shorter than the pure green Arundo donax, making ...


Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias incarnata

Common Name: Swamp milkweed

Asclepias incarnata, Swamp milkweed, is a decorative and essential perennial to any moist full sun habitat, pale pink blossoms explode with color from late June thru August. Standing 2-4’ tall Asclepias incarnat...


Bletilla striata

Bletilla striata

Common Name: Hardy Japanese orchid

A beautiful addition to the margins of a water garden or bog with its exotic pinkish purple (sometimes white) flower that once in bloom will last for almost a month. Blooming at just about a foot tall, from May to June and hardy in...


Caltha polypetala

Caltha polypetala

Common Name: Giant marsh marigold

Caltha polypetala, Giant marsh marigold, is one of the earlier blooms to appear in the spring.  Giant marsh marigold comes alive with happy yellow flowers atop a glossy dark green foliage letting everybody know spring is upon us. Har...


Glyceria maxima aquatica 'variegated'

Glyceria maxima aquatica 'variegated'

Common Name: Variegated manna grass

Glyceria maxima aquatica ‘variegated’, Variegated manna grass is a rhizomatous perennial grass that thrives in moist areas with sun to part shade. Emerging early in the Spring with young pink foliage,...


Houttuynia cordata 'variegata'

Houttuynia cordata 'variegata'

Common Name: Variegated chameleon plant

Houttuynia cordata ‘variegata’, Variegated chameleon plant, has fragrant heart shaped leaves splattered with white, green, and orange during the growing season which transforms to a striking purple-maroon on th...


Hydrocotyle umbellata

Hydrocotyle umbellata

Common Name: Giant pennywort

Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Giant pennywort.  This quick colonizer produces a nice thick mass of scalloped 3-inch leaves growing from stolins in full sun to part shade. Grown for its green foliage from spring to fall, th...


Iris ensata 'variegata'

Iris ensata 'variegata'

Common Name: Variegated Japanese iris

Iris ensata ‘Variegata’, Variegated Japanese iris, have been treasured in Japan for centuries. Variegated Japanese Iris forms narrow sword-like green and white foliage reaching 2-3' tall growing from thick slow...


Iris louisiana 'Acadian Miss'

Iris louisiana 'Acadian Miss'

Common Name: Acadian Miss Iris

Iris louisiana ‘Acadian Miss’.  It is widely accepted that Iris louisana cultivars are developed from 5 main North American native species of Iris: I. brevicaulis, giganticaerulea, fulva, nels...


Iris louisiana 'Gamecock'

Iris louisiana 'Gamecock'

Common Name: Gamecock Iris

Iris louisiana ‘Gamecock’.  It is widely accepted that Iris louisiana cultivars are developed from five main North American native species of Iris: I. brevicaulis, giganticaerulea, fulva,...


Juncus effusus 'spiralis'

Juncus effusus 'spiralis'

Common Name: Corkscrew rush

Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’, Corkscrew rush, is a true rush.  Cylendrical tightly spiraled foliage uncoils as it grows out in all directions. Often used in floral arrangements, Juncus effusus 'Spira...


Juncus glaucus

Juncus glaucus

Common Name: Blue rush

Juncus glaucus, Blue rush, is perfect for winter interest as it holds it's color! Upright blue stems resembling a blue fescue from afar live right on the pond edge in full sun and moist soil. This European native is&#...


Juncus inflexus 'Blue Medusa'

Juncus inflexus 'Blue Medusa'

Common Name: Rush 'Blue Medusa'

Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Medusa’ Rush.  'Blue Medusa' is a true rush known for it's upright curled foliage similar to Corkscrew rush but with thicker leaves and a hazy blue-green color.  'Blue ...


Juncus inflexus 'Love Sick Blues'

Juncus inflexus 'Love Sick Blues'

Common Name: Rush 'Love Sick Blues'

Hardy in zones 5-11, 'Love Sick Blues' is known for its striking steel blue foliage that is triangular shaped when viewing a cross section. Growing in blue-green slightly arching clumps about 1-2' tall in full sun to part shade and shallow water, ...


Lysimachia nummularia

Lysimachia nummularia

Common Name: Creeping Jenny

A good ground cover for the edges of water gardens & growing down along waterfalls, Creeping Jenny grows no more than a couple inches high in moist soils and water no deeper than 1". The flowers are a golden yellow and appear i...


Lysimachia nummularia 'aurea'

Lysimachia nummularia 'aurea'

Common Name: Gold Creeping Jenny

A good ground cover for the edges of water gardens & growing down along waterfalls, Gold Creeping Jenny grows no more than a couple inches high in moist soils and water no deeper than 1". The flowers are not as profuse as the s...


Marsilea mutica

Marsilea mutica

Common Name: Four Leaf Clover

Despite its common name and appearance of a 4 leaf clover or shamrock, the Marsileas are actually a fern that reproduces from spores. The Four Leaf Clover is easy to grow and its attractive green leaves close up at night which sort...


Mentha aquatica

Mentha aquatica

Common Name: Water Mint

The aromatic leaves of the Water Mint are what attracts many water gardeners to this plant. Growing just under 1' tall in moist soils & water under 2" deep, Water mint prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade and will flow...


Mimulus guttatus

Mimulus guttatus

Common Name: Yellow Monkey Flower

Hardy in zones 6-9, Yellow Monkey Flower produces deep yellow colored snap-dragon-like flowers. It's named for the flower's resemblance to a monkey's face. The flowers are about an inch or so across and produced in mass, making this a favorite flo...


Myosotis palustris

Myosotis palustris

Common Name: Water Forget-Me-Not

The Water Forget-Me-Not reaches just under 1' in height and grows around the edges of ponds or along streams in full sun to part shade. Blooming in the early summer with sprays of tiny delicate bluish flowers reminiscent of the dryland species. Ge...


Myriophyllum aquaticum

Myriophyllum aquaticum

Common Name: Parrot Feather

Hardy in zones 6-11, Parrot Feather's soft feathery foliage grows on prostrate long stems from the pond edge and floats out over the water surface. Care should be given when planting because it is invasive, especially in warmer sta...


Myriophyllum prosperpinacoides

Myriophyllum prosperpinacoides

Common Name: Dwarf Parrot Feather

Hardy in zones 6-11, Dwarf Parrot Feather's soft feathery foliage grows on prostrate long stems from the pond edge and floats out over the water surface. Dwarf Parrot Feather differs from standard Parrot Feather due to its red stem...


Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo'

Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo'

Common Name: Variegated water celery

Oenanthe javanica ‘Flamingo’ ,Variegated water celery, is hardy in zones 5-11.  Variegated Water Celery grows 6-12" tall along the edge of the pond from running stems in sun to part shade, but not quite as...


Orontium aquaticum 'Big Red'

Orontium aquaticum 'Big Red'

Common Name: Golden Club 'Big Red'

Big Red™ is a selection of the native wildflower, commonly known as "Golden Club". This striking aquatic plant was selected for its red flower stems which contrast the bright yellow flower clusters (spadix) at the tips. The tropical-looking ...


Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream'

Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream'

Common Name: Variegated ribbon grass

Phalaris arundinacea, 'Strawberries and Cream', Variegated ribbon grass is hardy in zones 4-11. Variegated ribbon grass spreads quickly by rhizomes.  The yellow and creamy variegated leaves make this a suitable ac...


Plantago major 'Rubrifolia'

Plantago major 'Rubrifolia'

Common Name: Red Plantain

Hardy in zones 3-9, Red Plaintain is desired for its clumps of purple leaves during the summer which turn a deep maroon in the Fall. The insignificant looking spikes of green flowers should be cut off to prevent self seeding. ...


Pontederia cordata 'Alba'

Pontederia cordata 'Alba'

Common Name: White Pickerelweed

Pickerelweed is a common sight in quiet fresh water areas. The native forms are usually shades of blue-purple, but this beauty is a clear shade of white. Hardy in zones 5-11, White Pickerelweed flowers from summer to fall, with the...


Ranunculus lingua aquatica

Ranunculus lingua aquatica

Common Name: Spearwort

Early to emerge in April & hardy in zones 5-9, Spearwort is thinly branched growing 2-3' tall in sun to part shade on quickly spreading soft rhizomes. The yellow butter-cup style flowers are half to 3 quarter inch across and persist for most o...


Rumex sanguineus

Rumex sanguineus

Common Name: Tri Color Dock

Hardy in zones 6-8, Tri Color Dock grows 1-2' tall in moist soils with full sun to part shade. With its bold leaves distinctively marked with deep red or purple veins, it is grown mostly as a foliage plant. It produces erect stems ...


Sagittaria australis 'Benni'

Sagittaria australis 'Benni'

Common Name: Silk Stockings

Silk Stockings™ is a selection of a native Arrowhead (Sagittaria). There are many types of Arrowhead, but none like this! It was Developed by Aquascapes Unlimited, Inc. and chosen for its fine, green veins over bronzy-red fol...


Scirpus albescens

Scirpus albescens

Common Name: White Bulrush

This strikingly tall white form of Bulrush makes for an excellent focal point against a dark backdrop of evergreens. Growing 4-5' tall on a strong rhizome with the  capability of forming a handsome colony. Hardy in zone 5-9, W...


Thalia dealbata

Thalia dealbata

Common Name: Hardy Canna

The strikingly bold tropical like foliage of Hardy Canna adds a lush appeal to large water gardens. Growing 4-6' tall and flowering at 6-8" tall with powdery purple flowers waving high above the foliage. Hardy to zone 5, Hardy Cann...


Typha laxmannii

Typha laxmannii

Common Name: Graceful Cattail

True to its name, Graceful Cattail has narrow foliage measuring from a quarter to half inch across and grows 4-6' tall forming dense colonies on a strong rhizome. Its catkin is noticeably narrower than its native counterpart and ma...