Aquatic Plants
In store April 25, 2026 - Please contact your favorite store to confirm availability!
Relax & Enjoy a Water Garden
In water gardens, aquatic plants play different roles based on the type of plant and where it is positioned within the water feature. These plants include marginal plants, oxygenators and surface plants—like water lilies.
Aquatic plants are available seasonally, while supplies last. Please contact your local SummerWinds Nursery to confirm availability.
Marginal Plants
Marginal plants grow around the margins of the pond where the water is shallow. They play a crucial role in filtering the water by absorbing nutrients and providing a buffer zone that traps sediments. Emergent plants are a type of marginal plant that are characterized specifically by having their leaves and flowers growing above the water surface. Their roots are anchored in the pond's bottom, but their foliage emerges out of the water. This category includes plants like lotuses and some taller plants like cattails.
Marginal Plants (by Height)
Under 2-Feet Tall
Dwarf Mexican Petunia ‘Chi Chi’
(Ruellia brittoniana ‘Chi Chi’)
Small, spreading plant with soft lavender-pink blooms.
Size: 12–18 in. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Regular water; handles moist soil well.
Dwarf Papyrus (Prince Tut / King Tut)
(Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ / dwarf forms)
Compact papyrus with fine, grassy tufts—great for small water features.
Size: 18–24 in. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Thrives in shallow water or very wet soil.
2 to 4-Feet Tall
Louisiana Iris ‘Ann Chowning’ (Iris ‘Ann Chowning’)
Soft pink blooms in spring above grassy foliage.
Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Moist soil or shallow water.
Louisiana Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ (Iris ‘Black Gamecock’)
Deep purple, velvety blooms.
Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Keep consistently moist or in shallow water.
Louisiana Iris ‘Blue Waters’ (Iris ‘Blue Waters’)
Clear blue flowers that brighten spring displays.
Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Prefers wet conditions.
Louisiana Iris ‘Rose Queen’ (Iris ‘Rose Queen’)
Rosy pink blooms with a soft look.
Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Moist soil or shallow water.
Pickerel Rush (Purple) (Pontederia cordata)
Upright spikes of violet-blue flowers that attract pollinators.
Size: 2–4 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Plant in shallow water (2–6 in.).
Elephant Ear ‘Blue Hawaii’ (Colocasia ‘Blue Hawaii’)
Blue-green leaves with dark veins for a bold, tropical look.
Size: 3–4 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Keep soil wet or plant in shallow water. Feed regularly.
Elephant Ear ‘Mojito’ (Colocasia ‘Mojito’)
Green leaves splashed with dark purple markings.
Size: 3–4 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Wet soil or shallow water. Benefits from feeding.
Elephant Ear ‘Aloha’ (Colocasia ‘Aloha’)
Large, bright green leaves with vigorous growth.
Size: 3–5 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Thrives in wet soil or shallow water.
4 to 6-Feet Tall
Horsetail Reed (Equisetum hyemale)
Vertical, reed-like stems with a clean, architectural style.
Size: 3–5 ft. tall, spreads over time
Care: Full sun to part shade. Shallow water or moist soil; best contained.
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
Tall stems topped with umbrella-like sprays for a dramatic look.
Size: 4–6 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Needs shallow water or very wet soil.
Hardy Water Canna / Alligator Flag (Thalia dealbata)
Broad leaves with tall stems and purple blooms.
Size: 4–6 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
Care: Full sun. Plant in shallow water; thrives in heat.
Over 6-Feet Tall
Angel’s Trumpet (Pink) (Brugmansia spp.)
Showy pink blooms that release fragrance in the evening.
Size: 6–10 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Rich soil and regular watering.
Angel’s Trumpet ‘Angels Halo’ (Brugmansia ‘Angels Halo’)
Layered blooms with a soft, elegant look.
Size: 6–10 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Regular water and pruning as needed.
Angel’s Trumpet ‘Cypress Gardens’ (Brugmansia ‘Cypress Gardens’)
Large, hanging trumpet-shaped blooms with fragrance.
Size: 6–10 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide
Care: Full sun to part shade. Regular water; not for standing water.
Red Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ / ‘Red Abyss’)
Large leaves with deep red tones for bold impact.
Size: 8–12 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wideCare: Full sun. Regular water and feeding; plant in soil near water.
For additional Marginal Plants, many of which are available throughout the year, click the button below:
Oxygenators
Oxygenators are submerged plants that grow completely underwater and are crucial for maintaining the oxygen balance in the water, which helps keep the water clear and supports fish and other wildlife.
Please note: We do not have any oxygenator plants available at this time.
Water Lilies
Surface plants
Water lilies are surface plants that have large leaves that float on the water's surface, providing shade and reducing algae growth by limiting sunlight penetration. They help maintain the temperature and oxygen levels of the water, making it a better environment for fish and other aquatic life.
Hardy Water Lilies
As their names suggest, Hardy Lilies do well in cold and can withstand freeze if left in the pond. Hardy Lilies bloom during the day and have round, thick, waxy leaves that are typically solid green or sligthly mottled. They stem from horizontal rhizomes or tubers.
The following Hardy Water Lilies are available at your local SummerWinds, while supplies last:
- Water Lily ‘Albatross’ (Nymphaea ‘Albatross’) - Classic white blooms floating above green pads.
Size: preads 3–5 ft.
Care: Full sun. Submerge container 12–24 in.; fertilize regularly. - Water Lily ‘Almost Black’ (Nymphaea ‘Almost Black’) - Deep red blooms that appear nearly black.
Size: Spread 3–5 ft.
Care: Full sun. Still water and regular feeding. 
Water Lily ‘Attraction’ (Nymphaea ‘Attraction’) - Bright red flowers with reliable performance.
Size: Spread 3–5 ft.
Care: Full sun. Easy to grow; fertilize for best blooms.- Water Lily ‘Colorado’ (Nymphaea ‘Colorado’) - Peach to salmon-colored blooms with soft tones.
Size: Spread 3–4 ft.
Care: Full sun. Prefers warm water; feed regularly. - Water Lily ‘Joey Tomocik’ (Nymphaea ‘Joey Tomocik’) - Cheerful yellow blooms and consistent flowering.
Size: Spread 3–5 ft.
Care: Full sun. Very easy and dependable. - Water Lily ‘Madame Wilfron’ (Nymphaea ‘Madame Wilfron’) - Soft pink blooms with a classic form.
Size: Spread 3–4 ft.
Care: Full sun. Plant in submerged containers. - Water Lily ‘Wanvisa’ (Nymphaea ‘Wanvisa’) - Variegated pink and yellow blooms with speckled pads.
Size: Spread 3–4 ft.
Care: Full sun. Regular feeding enhances color.
Accessories
- Fertilizer: To help keep your aquatic plants healthy, we carry Pondtabbs Aquatic Fertilizer.
- Leca Balls / Hydroton: Expanded clay balls often used in hydroponics but that can double as a pH neutral potting media for aquatic plants. Their porous nature allows for beneficial bacteria growth.
- Pond Plant Potting Media: A loamy sand substrate that helps water plants set healthy roots and anchors them to the base of the pond.
- 7"x 7" Water Baskets: Designed to hold potting media when setting up a pond or water garden that doesn't have a layer of substrate at the bottom. Also helps plants from floating to the surface.
To learn more about creating your own water feature and the plants you need to success, speak with one of our Trusted Garden Advisors.
