Page 370 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

368 POND PLANT DIRECTORY

Pontederia cordata Erythranthe guttatus
Pickerel Weed Monkey Flower

ORIGINS This plant occurs naturally in eastern parts of ORIGINS Occurs naturally in western parts of Canada
North America. and the US.
SIZE May grow to 3 ft (1 m) tall. SIZE Can reach up to 3 ft (1 m) in height.
WATER Grows well on the marginal shelf, to a depth of WATER Grows underwater in the winter, and then puts
5 in (12.5 cm). Hardy to –40°F (–40°C). up sprouts during the spring. Hardy to –10°F (–23°C).
PROPAGATION Can be rooted easily by breaking off PROPAGATION Can be grown quite easily from seed, as
pieces from existing rootstock. well as from cuttings.
This plant has broad, tapering green leaves and
upright flowers. Although Pickerel Weed tends
to be quite slow growing in spring, it has a long
flowering period that lasts well into late summer,
when other plants are finished blooming. Pickerel
Weed prefers a position in full sun, either planted
in a damp spot, such as a bog garden adjacent to
a pond, or permanently submerged in the pond
itself. In addition to P. cordata, some other forms
of Pickerel Weed are available. Those found in more
southerly parts of the US—such as the White-
Flowered Pickerel Weed (P. alba), which is naturally
restricted to northern Florida—are unlikely to be This is one of the hardiest of the Erythranthe species,
as hardy as P. cordata. The roots of these marginals which grow wild in the Americas as far south as
should not be allowed to become frozen in ice if Chile. Wide hybridization of the Monkey Flower
they are to continue growing again the following has produced many different varieties. Appreciated
year. Pickerel Weed can spread rapidly, and since for its vivid flowers, it is usually cultivated as an
it looks best in clumps, set the roots in relatively annual, even though some varieties can overwinter.
large planting baskets at the outset. Monkey Flower seeds should be sown in the spring.

Thalia dealbata Lysimachia nummularia Geum rivale
Water Canna Creeping Jenny Water Avens

ORIGINS Occurs in southern parts of the US and across ORIGINS Natural distribution in the wild is restricted to ORIGINS Found in temperate regions of Europe, Asia,
the border into Mexico. parts of central Europe. and North America.
SIZE Can reach up to 6 ft (2 m) in height. SIZE Can grow to a height of 6 in (15 cm). SIZE Can grow to a height of 12 in (30 cm).
WATER Needs to be planted quite deep in the pond, WATER Grows best around the edges of ponds, rather WATER Grow in shallow water, or in damp soil around
down as far as 18 in (45 cm). Hardy to 0°F (–18°C). than in the water itself. Hardy to –30°F (–34°C). the edges of the pond. Hardy to –40°F (–40°C).
PROPAGATION This is easily achieved by the division of PROPAGATION Divide established plants or take cuttings. PROPAGATION Take cuttings, which will root easily.
the rootstock. Can also be grown from seed. Can also be grown from seed.
Hardier than its distribution might suggest, this Water Avens is a good choice
Water Canna’s angular leaves unfold off a central for the surroundings of a pond,
stem, which in late summer may be crowned with where low groundcover is
a purple flower spike. This plant does well in the needed. Its green leaves are
deeper areas of a pond, especially in temperate reminiscent of those of
zones, since this provides the rootstock with a barrier strawberries. A number of
against ice. For added protection in winter, the different cultivars are now
stems can be wrapped in burlap. established so that plants
with flowers of varying
colors are available, ranging
This low-growing member of the primula family from the natural purplish-pink
spreads by shoots, which can reach more than to shades of orange and yellow.
12 in (30 cm) in length. With yellow, cup-shaped Water Avens is a hardy
flowers and green leaves, Creeping Jenny provides perennial that will
excellent groundcover around the pond edge, even regrow well in spring after
in shady areas. However, it grows vigorously and being cut back in fall.
may even invade the lawn. The variety L.n. ‘Aurea’
is often a better choice, being less invasive and also Each stem produces more
more attractive, thanks to its golden leaves. than one flower bud

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