Water gardening is not just about water features. There are many type of plants that live in, under, and around you pond or water feature.

"Oxygenating plants" live beneath the water's surface. These submerged aquatic plants help keep pond water clear and free from algae as they compete with algae for the same nutrients. Healthy oxygenators will "starve" the algae out. While doing this, the plants also produce the necessary oxygen for a healthy fish environment.

Emergent aquatics, or marginal plants, are the plants that like "wet feet!" They love shallow water, 3 to 6 inches over the top of their pots. Place them on the shelves and ledges that hug the sides of the pool. Marginals add variety, texture, and height to the water garden. Many of these plants flower and have fablulous foliage and flowers. Try combining 3 varieties of different sizes in one larger pot for a real show!

Waterlilies are the Queens of the water garden. Tropical or hardy, their beauty and ability to float effortlessly on or above the water captivates us. Hardy water lilies will over-winter in your pond. Hardy lilies are available in all shades of red, pink, peach, yellow and white. They typically bloom from mid morning to mid-afternoon. Tropical water lilies are a fabulous addition to your pond. Either day or night blooming varieties are available. Chose tropical lilies because they have larger, fragrant flowers that stand erect above the water, making them easier to admire from a distance. Tropicals also produce flowers far into the fall after the hardy lilies have stopped in September. Their flowers will stay open later into the day- or even open all night into the morning for the night blooming varieties! Best of all, tropical lilies come in magnificent blue and purple varieties.

Lotus is the emperor of the water garden. The tall stalked leaves posses a handsome texture that shed water droplets like quicksilver and provide a background for the magnificent fragrant cup-shaped blossoms that soar above them. After bloom, the rich brown seedpod emerges that you may cut and dry for decoration. Although they look tropical, lotus are as hardy as your hardy water lilies and overwinter with them in the bottom of the pond. Dwarf varieties are available for small ponds and tub gardens to grace your deck or patio.