There are many good things about creating a water garden, pond, or bog garden. The ability to use many different variations of plant life is one of them. There are those plants for the perimeter (marginal water plants) and those that will be underwater or submergible plants. Then there are the floater plants that just lie on top of the water. It is here where most will reach for water lilies without thought to the other plants that can do the same function with a different form.
Fairy Moss
Fairy Moss, or Azolla caroliniana, is a small floating water plant that exhibits both green and red foliage. It is covered with fuzzy fronds that look like velvet and is another to put texture into the garden. With the thickness of foliage, it helps choke out any weed growth. This plant will be hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11. This is a nice light water cover that will add texture and appeal to the water garden.
Frogbit
Frogbit, or Limnobium spongia, is a small leaved floating water plant that will be hardy from USDA zones 6 to 11. It will flower summer to fall and it has thick leathery foliage. This is the “American” frogbit and there is a European form as well.
Water Lettuce
Water Lettuce, or Pistia stratiotes, is one that resembles lettuce and is a floating water plant. It is hardy from USDA zones 9 to 11. The plant has fuzzy rosette foliage that can be a great covering and hideaway for aquatic animals in the water garden.
Four Leaf Clover
Four Leaf Clover, or Marsilea mutica, is a running water plant that will float on the surface of the water and have little four leaf clovers about it. It is hardy from USDA zones 6 to 11. It provides good shade area for fish in a water pond and it is a good plant for the borders of a garden (as a marginal plant). It will do well in full sun to shade and is not temperamental.
When there are bog gardens being outlined, many stick with the same few plants, but for those that are tired of cattails and water lilies there are some really interesting flora to be tested. The next time a water garden or bog garden is being discussed, think of the different items out there instead of the norm. By finding new and interesting plants to add to the landscape can really liven up the doldrums.
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
