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Marginal Pond Plants

What are marginal pond plants

Marginal pond plants grow in the shallow edges of your pond, often in aquatic planting baskets. Marginal aquatic plants bring shape to the water edge, they also provide splashes of colour throughout the growing season.



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  • British Native
    Equisetum hyemale - Dutch rush

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Equisetum hyemale - Dutch rush

    Equisetum hyemale - Dutch rush This stunning, evergreen plant adds interest to the garden throughout the year. Extremely hardy even 500 miles inside the Artic circle.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jun -...

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  • Oxygenator
    British Native
    Eleocharis acicularis

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Eleocharis acicularis - Needle spike - Rush

    Eleocharis acicularis - Needle spike - Rush  Slender little tufted plant with needle-like stems, each terminating in a brown spikelet Flowers: Aug- Sept Growth Rate: Medium Depth: 15 - 60cm Max Height: 15 - 40cm Native to British Isles:...

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  • Oxygenator
    Scirpus cernuus - Fibre optic plant

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Scirpus cernuus - Fibre optic plant

    Scirpus cernuus  - Fibre optic plant Attractive evergreen has an apt common name. The glassy threadlike leaves have minute white spikes on the tips of each leaf. Trim in early spring Flowers: July - September Growth Rate: Slow Depth: 0- 10cm...

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  • British Native
    Typha angustifolia - Lesser bulrush - reedmace - narrowleaf cattail

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Typha angustifolia - Lesser bulrush - reedmace - narrowleaf cattail

    Typha angustifolia - Lesser bulrush - reedmace - narrowleaf cattail Smaller than Typha latifolia but still a large typha with dark chocolate coloured seed heads.  It is reported that the roots have been used in Asia to combat dysentery.  The...

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  • Oxygenator
    Lilaeopsis brasilensis  - Oxygenating Plant

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Lilaeopsis brasilensis - Oxygenating Plant

    Lilaeopsis brasilensis  - Micro Sword Oxygenating Plant It forms a lawn like carpet at the bottom of the pond making it a good oxygenator.   Flowers: May - August Growth Rate: Slow Depth: 0 - 60cm Max Height: 60cm Native to British...

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  • British Native
    Carex acuta

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Carex acuta - slender-tufted sedge

    Carex acuta - slender-tufted sedge A tall slender tufted sedge that grows in rivers, streams and lakes throughout the British Isles.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: May - Aug Growth Rate: Medium Max Height:...

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  • British Native
    Juncus effusus

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Juncus effusus - Soft rush - Smooth rush

    Juncus effusus - Soft rush - Smooth rush Very erect, dark green stems and brown seed heads. Clumps will spread by creeping rhizomes. Can self seed.  It was used to be make into mats and was probably the rush strewn over the floor in many of...

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  • British Native
    Phragmites australis

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Phragmites australis - Norfolk or common reed

    Phragmites australis - Norfolk or common reed Strong growing grass with broad glossy leaves that turn brown in autumn and purple or violet flowers.  This plant is frequently used in sewage treatment beds and it is still used for thatching. Pond...

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    £19.99
  • Typha minima - Miniature bull rush

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Typha minima - Miniature bull rush

    Typha minima - Miniature bull rush A miniature version, this has delicate round milk chocolate coloured brown seed heads and is ideal for small ponds. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul - Sep Growth Rate:...

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  • British Native
    carex pendula

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Carex pendula - Pendulous sedge

    Carex pendula - Pendulous sedge Dark green leathery leaves grow upward then droop to form a weeping mound. The pendulous seed heads can often be seen by streams and brooks.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul...

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  • British Native
    Typha latifolia - Greater reed mace

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Typha latifolia - Greater reed mace

    Typha latifolia - Greater reed mace This is the common bulrush, it is taller and more vigorous than any other. It has dark chocolate coloured seed heads. Not recommended for garden ponds it is better in large lakes. Pond ready – This plant comes...

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  • British Native
    Oxygenator
    Pilularia globulifera - Pepper grass

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Pilularia globulifera - Pepper grass

    Pilularia globulifera - Pepper grass Aquatic Ponds Plants Leaves are hair-like and arise from a creeping stem Flowers: July - September Growth Rate: Slow Depth: 1 - 25cm Max Height: 10 - 15cm Native to British Isles: Yes Perfect...

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  • British Native
    Carex pseudocyperus - Cyperus sedge

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Carex pseudocyperus - Cyperus sedge

    Carex pseudocyperus - Cyperus sedge Bright green, grassy leaves with drooping, many flowered spikelets, popular with landscapers for native planting schemes to provide cover for wildfowl.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic...

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  • British Native
    Sparganium erectum - Branched bur-reed

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Sparganium erectum - Branched bur-reed

    Sparganium erectum - Branched bur-reed A very quick growing native, it is popular with landscapers for native planting schemes to provide cover for wildfowl. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jun - Aug Growth...

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  • Juncus ensifolius

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Juncus ensifolius - Flying hedgehogs

    Juncus ensifolius - Flying hedgehogs Bright green, grass-like foliage is topped with numerous very dark brown seed heads making it an attractive and unusual addition to a pond and giving it it's common name.Pond ready – This plant comes ready...

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  • Oxygenator
    Littorella Uniflora - Shoreweed

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Littorella Uniflora - Shoreweed

    Littorella Uniflora - Shoreweed "A low growing oxygenator with fat, fleshy leaves that form a carpet on the floor of the pond/shelf. Non flowering underwater, spreads by sending out runners. Reported to grow as deep as 4m in clear water." Pond...

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  • Juncus effusus var spiralis

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Juncus effusus var spiralis - Corkscrew rush

    Juncus effusus var spiralis - Corkscrew rush This evergreen is a must-have for any small pond. It has an unusual corkscrew twist to the cylindrical foliage. Although evergreen, cutting it back in early spring encourages fresh new growth.Pond ready...

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  • Glyceria maxima variegata

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Glyceria maxima variegata - Variegated sweet grass

    Glyceria maxima variegata - Variegated sweet grass A relatively vigorous plant but with attractive pinkie-red striped grass foliage in Spring maturing to yellow & white later in the year. It is graced with purplish-green flowering panicles in late...

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  • British Native
    Scirpus lacustris

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Scirpus lacustris - Clubrush

    Scirpus lacustris - Clubrush A dark green rush with clusters of chocolate brown flowers near top of stems. Popular with landscapers for native planting schemes to provide cover for wildfowl.  Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in...

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  • Typha gracilis - Medium bulrush - Medium reedmace

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Typha gracilis - Medium bulrush - Medium reedmace

    Typha gracilis - Medium bulrush - Medium reedmace A smaller typha this is excellent for medium and large ponds. It has milk chocolate coloured seed heads. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul - Sep Growth...

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  • British Native
    Juncus inflexus

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Juncus inflexus - Hard rush

    Juncus inflexus - Hard rush Tall blue/grey slender leaved rush.  May self-seed in optimum growing conditionsPond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: June - Aug Growth Rate: Medium Max Height: 60cm Recommended...

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  • British Native
    Juncus maritimus

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Juncus maritimus - Sea Rush

    Juncus maritimus - Sea Rush The thin stems arch gracefully with tufts of brownish flowers produced below the sharp pointed stem tip. As it's name suggests, it can tolerate sea spray and slightly brackish water.Pond ready – This plant comes ready...

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  • Carex muskingumensis

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Carex muskingumensis - Musk sedge

    Carex muskingumensis  - Musk sedge An architectural plant with light green feathered finely tapering leaves.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: May - Jul Growth Rate: Slow Max Height: 75cm Recommended...

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  • sold out
    Typha latifolia variegata

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Typha latifolia variegata - Variegated greater reed mace

    Typha latifolia variegata - Variegated greater reed mace Very attractive long green and creamy-white variegated leaves blend with the light brown cigar shaped seed heads. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul...

    From £23.99 £23.99

A Guide to Pond Plants

Aquatic pond plants really bring a pond to life - not only do they greatly enhance the natural beauty of your pond, but they also play an essential role in maintaining the health of its water and inhabitants.

Step By Step Guide To Planting Pond Plants

Follow our step by step guide to successfully planting or replanting pond plants. Before we start, we will answer a few frequently asked questions.

Benefits of marginal pond plants 

Many species of marginal plants also work to maintain the health and vitality of your pond and its inhabitants. Veronica Beccabunga is one of the best marginal pond plants for shade as it will raft across the water surface, providing protection for fish, reducing sunlight and help to hinder algae growth.
Marginal pond plants such as grasses are especially useful for removing excess nutrients from the water while native marginal pond plants such as Mimulus are fast surface spreaders, creating shade as well as contrast with taller plants.

How should I plant my marginal pond plants?

In most cases aquatic pond plants are planted into aquatic baskets lined with a hessian liner topped with gravel to stop the soil escaping. However it is also possible to design integral planting areas in your pond which can look more natural and especially good for wildlife ponds. Check out our step by step planting guides or our design pages for guides on building a integral pond planting area.

How many marginal plants do I need? 

The table below is a guide to the number of marginal plants required to establish a new pond.

Pond Surface Area 2m2  4m2  6m2  8m2 10m2  12m2
Deep Marginal 1 2 2 5 6 8
Marginal Plants 8 14 18 24 30 36

 

How to look after marginal pond plants

All plant varieties vary slightly. Please follow individual advice for plants, however as a general rule, remove foliage as it dies back in the autumn, avoiding dead plant matter breaking down potentiality impacting water quality and affecting fish health. If plants only need cutting back or reducing, Spring is usually the best time giving the pond inhabitants the benefit of the plant's shelter over winter.

Pond Plant Collections  |  Water Lilies  |  Deep Water Plants  |  Bog or Marsh Plants  |  Oxygenating Plants  |  Floating Plants  |  Pond Snails & Mussels

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