close
close
close
0% Interest Free Finance Visit Our Stores Price Promise Easy Returns FREE DELIVERY on most orders over £60*

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.



Filter:
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    Caltha leptosepala

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Caltha leptosepala - White marsh marigold

    Caltha leptosepala - White marsh marigold The white flowers are larger than Caltha palustris 'Alba' and the leaves are oval rather than round. It prefers to marshy ground but can grow in the water. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • 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...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    Lythrum salicaria Robert-  Loosestrife

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Lythrum salicaria Robert- Loosestrife

    Lythrum salicaria Robert-  Loosestrife A more compact form of Lythrum salicaria Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul - Sep Growth Rate: Medium Max Height: 80cm Recommended Planting Depth: 0cm -...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • British Native
    Perfect For Pollinators
    sold out
    Ranunculus lingua Grandiflorus - Spearwort

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Ranunculus lingua Grandiflorus - Spearwort

    Ranunculus lingua Grandiflorus - Spearwort Long ovate deep blue-green leaves with bowl shaped large buttercup-type flowers and lovely underwater leaves.  A good plant for wildlife ponds. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • British Native
    Rumex sanguineus

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Rumex sanguineus - Bloodwort

    Rumex sanguineus - Bloodwort Attractive rosettes of green ovate leaves with bright red veins, this plant is mainly grown for it foliage. Remove the flower heads to maintain the red leaf veins. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • sold out
    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...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • sold out
    Gratiola officinalis - Summer Snowflake

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Gratiola officinalis - Summer Snowflake

    Gratiola officinalis - Summer Snowflake Pretty spires of white or pink flowers are located in the axils of the leaves.  In Switzerland it grows abundantly in damp pastures and can be dangerous to cattle.Pond ready – This plant comes ready...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    Alisma parviflorum - American Water Plantain

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Alisma parviflorum - American Water Plantain

    Alisma parviflorum - American Water Plantain A compact and attractive form of the native Alisma with more rounded leaves. When mature this plant sends up numerous flower heads with multiple delicate pinkish-white petals. Likes to be kept constantly...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • sold out
    Iris louisiana - Her Highness

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris louisiana - Her Highness

    Iris louisiana - Her Highness Snow white flowers with just a hint of yellow.  As with all iris the tubers are harmful if eaten.  Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jun - Jul Growth Rate: Medium Max...

    From £23.99 £23.99
  • Oenanthe japonica

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo' - Variegated water dropwort

    Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo' - Variegated water dropwort The beautiful tricolour foliage is pink, white and green in spring, maturing to a darker green and pink in autumn. Tiny, creamy white flowers in umbels appear in mid-summer. Pond ready –...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    RHS Gold Merit
    Iris pseudacorus Variegata

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris pseudacorus Variegata - Variegated yellow flag

    Iris pseudacorus Variegata - Variegated yellow flag The early leaf fans bear attractive yellow and green striped variegation, but this deepens to green as the plant matures. The yellow flowers have distinct brown markings.  As with all iris the...

    From £23.99 £23.99
  • Lobelia siphilitica alba - White Lobelia

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Lobelia siphilitica alba - White Lobelia

    Lobelia siphilitica alba - White Lobelia A handsome variety with beautiful bright white flower spikes that rise above the light green lanceolate leaves.  Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Aug -...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • RHS Gold Merit
    Not Hardy
    Cyperus papyrus - Egyptian paper rush

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Cyperus papyrus - Egyptian paper rush

    Cyperus papyrus - Egyptian paper rush Has mop-like heads of spikelets on triangular stems. It is almost certain that Moses' cradle was made from this plant. It makes an excellent house plant which will be evergreen provided the temperature remains over...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    RHS Gold Merit
    sold out
    Iris robusta 'Gerald Derby'

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris robusta 'Gerald Derby'

    Iris robusta 'Gerald Derby' Large mauve-blue flowers with attractive purple stained leaves. New foliage is purple with purple to black flower stems.  As with all iris the tubers are harmful if eaten.  Pond ready – This plant comes ready...

    From £23.99 £23.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    Physostegia virginiana - Obedient plant

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Physostegia virginiana - Obedient plant

    Physostegia virginiana - Obedient plant Sharply toothed leaves are lanceolate and mid-green with pink or mauve flower spikes. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jul - Aug Growth Rate: Slow Max Height:...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • Iris pseudacorus Flore Pleno

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno'

    Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno' Very striking, bright deep lemon yellow double flowers.  As with all iris the tubers are harmful if eaten. Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted in aquatic soil Flowers: Jun - July Growth Rate:...

    From £11.99 £11.99
  • sold out
    Iris louisiana Pegaletta

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris louisiana - Pegaletta

    Iris louisiana 'Pegaletta' It has striking purple flowers with a yellow throat. As with all Louisiana iris, the flowers are large & showy, typically 12cm in diameter. Iris tubers are harmful if eaten.Pond ready – This plant comes ready potted...

    From £23.99 £23.99
  • New For 2025
    sold out
    Iris laevigata

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Iris laevigata 'Variegata'

    Iris laevigata 'Variegata' Clearly striped green and ivory-white foliage which does not fade at the plant matures with bright light blue flowers. One of the best variegated water plants but propagation is slow. As with all iris the tubers are harmful if...

    From £23.99 £23.99
  • Perfect For Pollinators
    RHS Gold Merit
    sold out
    Lysimachia Sunburst

    UK Grown Pond Plants

    Lysimachia - Sunburst

    Lysimachia - Sunburst Brilliant yellow buds and star-shaped blooms with vibrant red accents. The glossy green leaves feature mahogany-colored stems and veins. Perfect for ground cover and for enhancing the edges of a pond, it thrives on dry ground and...

    From £11.99 £11.99

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

Recently viewed

Top