Sweet Flag
Acorus calamus
Form: Upright to weakly vase-shaped plant; height to 24 inches and spreading slowly by rhizomes to 36 inches
Foliage: Grass or sedgelike plant, with fine, narrow leaves 1 inch wide and up to 18 inches long; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Insignificant spadix, grown for its foliage, not flower
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade; best performance occurs in consistently moist, well-drained soils but tolerant of average conditions and intermittently wet and dry situations (rain gardens) once established.
Uses: Edger, specimen, texture plant; wetlands, pond edges and bog gardens.
Companions: joepye weed, turtlehead, tovara, variegated fleeceflower, sweet coltsfoot, hardy hibiscus
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: ‘Variegatus’ - a dandy, with cream to white stripes in each leaf; may be slightly taller than species and does best in light shade
Other species: A. gramineus, Japanese sweet flag - very fine, small plant; not reliably hardy and must be over-wintered inside, adds texture and grace to pond gardens
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Asclepidaceae
NATIVE
Form: Tall, rather open habit, usually unbranched except in upper part of stems, height to 48 inches, spread to 24 inches
Foliage: Opposite, dark green, linear to lanceolate leaves with pointed tips, up to 6 inches long and less than 1 inch wide. Medium texture. Milky sap when stems are broken, but not to the same extent as common milkweed
Flowers: Rounded terminal clusters 4 to 5 inches across of ½ inch long ‘hooded’ flowers, dusty pink to rose, with the “skirt” darker pink, lightly fragrant; July to August
Seedheads: Narrow, boat-shaped pods held upright on stems, smooth and dehiscent, splitting open to reveal silky parachutes attached to individual seeds. Dried form is open and twisted; effective as cut material
Culture: Full sun to very light shade, and average moisture to wet or soggy conditions in clay loam or loamy soils. Good winter drainage will prolong the life of this plant. Cut back after bloom or remove spent flowers to reduce seedlings and create a tidier appearance. Allow to lean on neighboring plants or place in the background. Extremely attractive to aphids
Uses: Naturalized areas, wetlands or pond edges, cut flowers, butterfly gardens.
Companions: joe pye weed, switchgrass, Indian grass, butterbur, Siberian iris
Propagation: Seed
Cultivars: 'Ice Ballet' - elegant white cultivar, same size
Japanese Sedge
Carex morrowii
Cyperaceae
Form: Vase-shaped mound, with foliage almost uniformly arranged around the center point; height to 12 inches and spread to 18 inches
Foliage: Dense but fine-textured; triangular in cross section (typical of all sedges); each leaf thick and up to ½ inch wide and 12 inches long; evergreen
Flowers: Insignificant and produced irregularly in March to April; brownish; clustered on ends of stems like burs
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to almost full shade and constantly moist soils; tolerant of compaction and clay but prefers loamy conditions. Provide protection for variegated cultivars from direct sun, using them to advantage in shaded areas. Prune dead or tattered foliage in early spring
Uses: Edger, wetlands, pond edges, multi-season interest, grasslike foliage texture in shade gardens, groundcover.
Companions: Cranesbills, brunnera, hostas, ferns, turtlehead
Propagation: Spring division
Cultivars: `Variegata’ - distinct gold to cream longitudinal stripe in each leaf; a very elegant mophead of a plant but less vigorous than ‘Ice Dance’
`Ice Dance’ - more upright, foliage is darker green and wider, distinct white margins on leaves; spreads rapidly to form thick colonies in moist conditions
‘Beetlemania’ - very small, with gold variegation on leaves that are whorled like Ringo Star’s bowl haircut
Other species: C. grayii, Gray’s sedge, C. buchananii, leatherleaf sedge, C. muskigumensis, palm sedge,We have a wonderful array of NATIVE sedges in the Plains
Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Scrophulariaceae
Form: Strong vertical clumps, height to 36 inches, spread 24 inches
Foliage: Deep green, glossy, leathery ovate leaves on long petioles, evenly serrate. Medium texture
Flowers: Terminal spikes of one inch long white “turtle heads,” yellow beards, with lower lip extended as an insect landing pad; showy against foliage from late August to September. Light green buds are also “turtle heads”
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Prefers consistent moisture in full sun to part shade; excellent along boggy edges. It will survive intermittent dry periods such as those in rain gardens. Few pests or diseases. Staking is not necessary
Uses: Masses as a foreground, pond edges
Companions: Joe pye weed, boltonia, asters, siberian iris, cranesbills
Propagation: Summer or fall division; seed, cuttings
Other species: C. lyonii, pink turtlehead - ‘Hot Lips’ - dark red-pink, shorter, great foliage, more readily available
Scouring Rush/Horsetail Rush
Equisetum hyemale
Equisataceae
NATIVE
Form: Dense, very aggressive stoloniferous mass of upright stems; height and spread 36 inches to five feet
Foliage: Odd, jointed, hollow evergreen stems, ridged and furrowed; with joints occurring regularly along each stem. Leaves are scale-like and insignificant, joined at margins along joints
Flowers: Insignficant; a sporophyll (leaflike organ bearing spores) at the terminal end of the stem; May to June. Grown for the form and evergreen structure
Culture: A marginal plant, requiring constantly wet soils in sun or part shade. Tolerant of poor drainage but not dry conditions; will withstand submersion to a depth of 6 inches. Control spread by planting in containers; or dig small plants from edge of colony.
Uses: Wetlands, pond edges, specimen container plant.
Companions: swamp milkweed, arrowhead, sedges, buttercup, variegated fleeceflower Can be very invasive in lowlands and pastures; difficult to control
Propagation: Division
Other species: E. scirpoides, dwarf scouring rush - smaller easier to manage; on the endangered species list in several states
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eupatorium maculatum (Eupatorium purpureum var. maculatum)
Asteraceae
NATIVE
Form: Huge, upright to slightly vase-shaped plant, spreading from rhizomes to form wide clumps; height to 7 feet and spread to 36 inches or more
Form: Huge, upright to slightly vase-shaped plant, spreading from rhizomes to form wide clumps; height to 7 feet and spread to 36 inches or more
Flowers: Giant showy inflorescence of 5-9 flower heads, each containing 5-7 small dusky purple flowers; a billow of purple smoke up to 18 inches across in August to September
Foliage: Deep green leaves 8 to 12 inches long and 1 to 2 Inches wide with coarse teeth, whorled around strong, unbranched stems mottled with purple; coarse or bold texture
Seedheads: Flowers gradually fade to a pale purple and then tan, remaining effective until early winter
Culture: Full sun to very light shade (plants will survive but tend to flop and not form robust clumps); fertile loamy or clay loam soil and consistent moisture. While drought or extended dry periods stunt the plant’s growth, sometimes beyond recovery, this is a plant that will work in rain gardens. Less tolerant of locations with hot nights. Shear by 1/3 or more in late spring to reduce size; cut back after seedheads shatter. Divide if plants begin to develop open centers
Uses: Scale in large landscapes, specimen, butterfly gardens, naturalized areas, wetlands, pond edges, cut flowers.
Companions: Magnificent background plant for ornamental grasses, fall-blooming asters, goldenrod, sedums
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Cultivars: ‘Atropurpureum’ - purple stems, purple-tinged foliage, twice as many flower heads as species
‘Gateway’ - shorter than the species, very desirable
‘Little Joe’ - a cultivar of E. dubium; to 36 inches
Other species: E. purpureum, Sweet Joe Pye Weed NATIVE
Japanese Knotweed
Fallopia japonica
Polygonaceae
INVASIVE in Nebraska
Form: Creeping habit from dense clumps that can rapidly outgrow its space; height of common cultivars to 36 inches (the straight species can exceed 6 feet); spread to 5 feet or more. Stems are swollen
Foliage: Alternate, ovate to lanceolate leaves up to 6 inches long. The leaves are clasping on upper portions of stems that appear to zig-zag. The entire plant has a watery appearance. Red tones may appear at joints and petioles; bold or coarse texture
Flowers: White, pale pink or red, (typically white) fleecy or cottony, in open clusters from leaf axils; each flower tiny, September to frost
Seedheads: Not effective; foliage and stems turn rust-colored and can add to landscape during early winter
Culture: Perfectly at home in shade or sun. Moisture is essential to avoid browning of leaf edges. Tolerant of nearly any soil, including heavily compacted clay, sand, and roadside salt. Plant in containers or surround by concrete to control spread. Can be sheared, mowed, or trimmed at any time to encourage side branching. Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Uses: Large groundcover, erosion control, wetlands, pond edges.
Companions: Siberian iris, summer-blooming astilbe, hybrid hibiscus
Propagation: Division or seed
Cultivars: `Variegata’ - splotched and dotted with white, like spilled paint; less aggressive and very useful to lighten dark corners. Flowers are dark pink. Height to 18 inches
Hibiscus/Rose Mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos x
Malvaceae
Form: Massive, coarse perennial of shrublike proportions, each stem thick and self-supporting, broad rounded clumps to a height and spread of 60 inches, depending on cultivar. Overall effect of flowers and foliage is dramatic to the point of overkill-blowsy and a bit overdone, if located improperly
Foliage: Lanceolate, not lobed or shallowly lobed in straight species but hybrids vary from broad and entire to almost dissected; up to 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, thin and bright green above, pubescent beneath; coarse or bold texture. H. coccineus, a parent of many hybrids, has lobed foliage.
Flowers: Up to 12 inches wide, and single or double, the individual petals papery and full, to 5 inches long and overlapping. The buds are pointed, fat and clustered, enclosed in a green calyx in leaf axils. Distinct curved stamen up to 2 inches long with a star-shaped pistil. Flowers of the species are pink, but cultivars range from white with red eye to pink, white, cream, yellow, red, or blotched. Individual flowers last only a day, but occur in massive quantities from July to October
Seedheads: Cylindrical pods; dehiscent, persistent but not particularly attractive
Culture: Full sun to light shade, although too much shade can cause spindly growth and require caging or staking. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types, with particularly good performance in consistently moist conditions. Succeeds at pond edges or in swamps or bogs in heavy wet soil. Very late to break dormancy, so spring patience is a must. Mark location by allowing seedheads and stems to remain over winter; this also protects the crown. Cut back or pinch in late spring to reduce height, develop bushy form and encourage side branching. May take two or three years to establish; roots are large and fleshy and expand rapidly
Uses: Backdrop or specimen in large spaces, scale transition between trees, shrubs, and perennials; ponds or wetlands. Often used improperly, because this is a dramatic plant that grabs attention and can dwarf a small home or space.
Companions: joepye weed, native and ornamental grasses, boltonia, butterfly milkweed, asters
Propagation: Division or cuttings; hybrids rarely come true from seed
Cultivars: Continued breeding is resulting in doubles, dwarfs, yellows and bronzes, deeply colored and dissected foliage. The Fleming hybrids are particularly ornamental.
`Lord Baltimore’ - crimson red; deeply lobed foliage, now being replaced (?) by ‘Fireball’
‘Lady Baltimore’ - deep pink with red centers
‘Kopper King’ - almost purple foliage
‘Fleming Hybrids’ - developed by the Fleming brothers, many with picotee edges, red eyes, cut and colored foliage
‘Pink Cloud’ - huge, dramatic, with solid pink flowers the size of dinner plates
`Luna’ series - smaller, great flowers including pure white
`Cranberry Crush’ - in the Keim Hall courtyard, extremely strong bloomer
Other Species: Hibiscus trionum is NATIVE
Yellow Flag Iris
Iris pseudacorus
Iridaceae
Form: Stalwart, strong, impenetrable mass; rhizomatous and develops large clumps if left undisturbed; foliage height 48 to 60 inches and spread to 48 inches or more
Foliage: Swordlike and very dramatic, 1 to 2 inches wide and up to 48 inches long. Bright green and usually glaucous, remaining effective long after the blooms have died; coarse or bold texture
Flowers: Held above foliage on vertical stems, appearing to nest or float. Three light yellow falls 1 ½ inches wide, often with brown blotches; and three narrower, upright light yellow standards. April to May
Seedheads: Dehiscent pods, three-parted, dry to a solid tan; ornamental and used in dried arrangements
Culture: Full sun to part shade, and loamy or clay loam soils. Prefer average to moist conditions, including swampy areas and intermittent standing water, but will tolerate the conditions present in rain gardens. Can remain undisturbed for many years, but should be divided if flowering is reduced. Remove spent flowers if seedheads are not desired. Considered invasive in some locations; may flop in too much shade
Uses: Specimen, focal point, screen, texture and form interest.
Companions: joepye weed, sweet coltsfoot, creeping buttercup, hardy hibiscus, turtlehead, Helen’s flower
Cultivars: ‘Variegata’ - pale yellow stripes on foliage, which disappear in summer; less aggressive and slightly smaller
Siberian Iris
Iris sibirica
Iridaceae
Form: Upright clumps in preferred conditions; to a foliage height and spread of 24 to 30 inches and flowering stem height to 36 inches
Foliage: Elegant, narrow green leaves with sheath split into fibers, ½ inch wide and over 24 inches long. The foliage turns shades of yellow and bronze in fall and colors persist for two to three weeks; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Purple to blue, with one to five per stiff stem held well above the foliage. Each flower is up to 2 inches wide; the perianth (corolla + calyx) divided into 3 falls and 3 standards. The falls are reflexed, up to ¾ inch wide and 2 inches long, beardless; the standards are upright and shorter. This is a very elegant flower form. May to June
Seedheads: Pods are dehiscent, tan and hard, ornamental as cut material
Culture: Full sun to light shade and well-drained, loamy or clay loam soils. Tolerant of more moisture than German or bearded iris, and will thrive in boggy conditions as long as winter drainage is provided; also tolerant of drier conditions in loamy soil. Less successful in free-draining or sandy conditions. Divide every three or four years in spring if flowering is diminished or clumps become open in center; discard wood center portion.
Uses: Strong foliage accent, pond edges, perennial borders, cut flowers, multi-season interest.
Companions: cranesbills, scabiosa, fine-textured ornamental grasses, Japanese hybrid anemones
Companions: cranesbills, scabiosa, fine-textured ornamental grasses, Japanese hybrid anemones
Propagation: Spring division (unlike German or bearded iris, which should be divided in fall); provide adequate moisture to re-establish
Cultivars: Many cultivars are available, in shades of blue, yellow and white
‘Caesar’s Brother’ - the standard; deepest blue-black, tall
‘White Swirl’ - pure white with slight yellow markings; parent of many cultivars
Other species: Iris ensata, Japanese iris
Common Rush
Juncus effusus
Juncaceae
Form: Distinct, upright vase of unbranched, cylindrical or terete (rounded cross-section) stems to a height and spread of 18 to 24 inches
Foliage: Narrow cylindrical stems, dark green; often evergreen or nearly so; soft to the touch but stiff or rigid in appearance. Each stem is encased in a bladeless sheath at the base of the plant; fine texture
Flowers: Tiny, ineffective, yellowish green to dark brown flowers in compound umbels below stem tips; each flower consists of three petals, three sepals and three stames; June to August
Seedheads: Dehiscent brown capsules; small beaks on ends of seeds
Culture: Tolerant of continually wet areas, including standing water to a depth of four inches, but also succeeds in garden soils that are consistently moist. Full sun to part shade. Plants spread slowly by rhizomes.
Uses: Rain gardens, bioswales, architectural interest in gardens and containers; erosion control; winter interest; nesting habitat
Companions:
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: `Spiralis’, lesser corkscrew rush - is an interesting cultivar with wiry, twisted blades; smaller, suitable for containers; may need extra attention in many locations
Cardinal Flower/Scarlet Lobelia
Lobelia cardinalis
Campanulaceae
Form: Open, upright clumps of foliage to a height and spread of 24 inches; flowering stems to 36 inches.
Foliage: Rather coarse and unevenly spaced dark green leaves, alternate, 3 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide with pointed tips. The leaves are sessile or on short petioles and the stem foliage is narrower and not very dense; medium texture
Flowers: Deep red tubular flowers, in striking contrast to the green foliage. Individual flowers are up to 1 ½ inch long with very narrow lower lobes that almost appear to be separate “petals, and are clustered into racemes on long upright and slightly arching stems, usually unbranched, The anthers are prominent, contributing to the dramatic flower interest. Long-blooming in ideal conditions; July to September
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Must have partial shade and consistently moist to wet but well-drained loamy soils. The plant will sulk in hot sun and shows to best advantage when nights are cool. Short-lived at best, and woefully unhappy in containers in hot greenhouses. Cut back after flowering to restore foliage clumps. The species is a parent of many of the popular red-foliaged hybrids, most of which do not persist beyond a season.
Uses: Pond gardens, wetlands, specimen, cut flowers.
Companions: variegated sedges, globeflower, moneywort, smaller hardy hibiscus
Cultivars: `Alba’ - white and shorter
Other species: L. siphilitica, great blue lobelia, which is NATIVE; L. splendens, Mexican lobelia (not reliably hardy above zone 5)
Gooseneck Loosestrife
Lysimachia clethroides
Primulaceae
Form: Aggressively rhizomatous, rapidly forming huge, dense colonies of upright stems that reach a uniform height of 30 inches. A well-established colony looks almost like a small hedge; spread to 60 inches or more
Foliage: Narrow, opposite leaves of an ovate to lanceolate shape, up to 6 inches long, tapering at the base and apex. The leaves are thin and almost translucent, with a hint of burgundy or bronze in young foliage and stems; medium texture
Flowers: Terminal racemes shaped exactly like the head and neck of a pure white goose, all pointing the same direction in a given colony. The racemes are 6 to 12 inches long and very showy, composed of many individual flowers ½ inches across with five petals; June to July
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to almost full shade and a wide range of soil types, including heavy clay and sandy loam. Average to moist conditions and loam result in best performance and most aggressive spread. Dry soils, full shade, and root competition help control this plant. Watch for the stealthy encroachment into all available moist spaces by spotting the small, slightly bronzed young leaves that appear in early spring, sometimes five feet from the parent plant. Cut back after flowering to groom ragged appearance. Contain in buckets or surround with concrete.
Uses: Large deciduous groundcover; erosion control on streambanks, pond edges; cut flowers.
Companions: Japanese butterbur (let these two duke it out), switchgrass, Siberian iris
Companions: Japanese butterbur (let these two duke it out), switchgrass, Siberian iris
Propagation: Division almost any time. Cut back to 6 inches if dividing in summer, and keep consistently moist until re-established.
Moneywort/Creeping Jenny
Lysimachia nummularia
Primulaceae
Form: Tiny creeping groundcover that roots at nodes, forming a dense, flat mat; less than 1 inch tall and a nearly indefinite spread
Foliage: Opposite, bright green round leaves like quarters or nickels, less than 1 inch wide with entire margins. The leaves are tightly spaced along stems on very short petioles and lie almost flat against the ground; fine texture
Flowers: Bright yellow, shaped like open bells (campanulate) or saucers with five lobes, ½ inch to ¾ inch across, solitary and held in the leaf axils; a showy carpet of gold and green in May to June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade and loam, clay loam or clay soils that are kept constantly moist. Moneywort tolerates drier conditions in deeper shade but still performs best with moisture. Roots at all nodes, transplants easily and starts itself at will from a small piece of stem, trailing among steppingstones and under larger perennials. Control spread by edging planting areas with a solid border of stone or concrete.
Uses: Low groundcover under more open plants or a cover for pea gravel or organic mulch. It will root in very little soil over drain tile and similar underground items; use to soften rock edges of ponds and stream beds or cover bare spots left by summer-dormant plants.
Companions: sedges, lady’s mantle, veronica, variegated hostas, meadowsweet, Virginia bluebells
Propagation: Division, bury a node and allow roots to form
Cultivars: `Aurea’ - bright gold, a spot of light in very wet areas, will burn in full sun
Yellow Loosestrife
Lysimachia punctata
Primulaceae
Form: Upright stems develop into very dense stands; colonizes but not to the extent of L. clethroides; height 30 inches; spread 24 inches or more
Foliage: Bright green leaves whorled in threes or fours around the stems. The leaves are 1 to 3 inches long and ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, thin and not waxy; medium texture
Flowers: Bright yellow with brown circles in the throats, up to 1 inch across, five-petaled., The flowers appear whorled in the upper leaf axils and are showy against dark green foliage; May to June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to almost full shade in a wide range of soils as long as the requirement for average to high moisture is met. Will tolerate heavy clay and sandy conditions but performs best in loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Cut back after flowering to groom ragged appearance; divide or remove wandering stems to control spread.
Uses: Colonizer for moist pond edges and low spots; naturalized areas.
Companions: hybrid veronicas, variegated hostas, brunnera.
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: `Alexander’ - extremely variegated foliage, more white than green; striking during the growing season but the flowers tend to disappear against the foliage, and burning of leaf margins will occur in dry sun. Remove stems that revert to all-green leaves, which may occur frequently. If reversion is not halted quickly, all variegation will be lost
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Lythraceae
Form: Upright, almost shrublike plant; to a height and spread of 36 inches
Foliage: Dark green, opposite, lanceolate
Flowers: Brilliant pink terminal spikes; July to August
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: DO NOT PLANT. This is an invasive species that is choking out native plants in waterways across the Plains. Although cultivars are sterile, there is concern about cross-pollination and seed distribution
Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Lamiaceae
Form: Upright spreading form from aggressive stolons; height of characteristic square stems to 36 inches, spread indefinite
Foliage: Aromatic, opposite, bright green with red margins and petioles when emerging; pointed, toothed to 6 inches long
Flowers: Two-lipped, tubular, bright red (various shades of other colors, depending on cultivar); surrounded by showy red bracts. Terminal, whorled clusters, occasionally doubly so; up to 2 inches across; will rebloom if spent heads are removed; June to August
Seedheads: Weakly ornamental in early winter landscape
Culture: Consistent moisture and average fertility, full sun to part shade produces strong plants, but beebalm is also tolerant of rain garden conditions. Plants sulk in extreme drought, get powdery mildew in high humidity or under drought stress (newest cultivars are acceptably resistant). Control spread by removing stolons at any time.
Uses: Highly attractive to insects and hummingbirds; useful as strong, cool reds, cutting, or in natural garden.
Companions: coralbells, bergenia, short asters, grasses that will hide stems, lady’s mantle
Propagation: Divisions, seed
Cultivars: `Gardenview Scarlet’ - deep scarlet, mildew-resistant??
`Jacob Kline’ - deepest red, very mildew-resistant and quite large to 60”
`Petite Delight’ - a hybrid, very dwarf and mounded, dark green foliage, bright pink-purple flowers held within mound, not a cutting flower, does not spread much, and does not thrive in dry conditions
`Coral Reef’ - great coral pink selection with good mildew resistance
Many other cultivars, and this species is a parent of several ornamental but less hardy hybrids such as ‘Lambada’
Other Species: M. fistulosa, wild bergamot, NATIVE; M. punctata, spotted horsemint, NATIVE
American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea
Nelumboaceae
NATIVE
Form: Emergent plant, rising through as much as six feet of water to hold giant foliage on or above the water; spread to 10 feet or more
Foliage: Huge circular leaves, with the petiole centered in the bright green blade like an umbrella. No notch in the margin; bold texture
Flowers: Up to 6 inches across, pale to bright yellow with an almost luminescent appearance; petals ovate and slightly cupped longitudinally. The flowers bear numerous bright yellow stamens, prominent in the center of each bloom. June to August
Seedheads: Odd, vase-shaped capsules with flat tops filled with round holes through which the coffee bean-like seeds can be seen and heard rattling, dark brown. Seedpods are considered desirable as ornamental material
Culture: Still, muddy, shallow water in full sun. Considered endangered in some locations and invasive in others
Uses: Ornamental cover for pond surfaces, dried material (pods).
Companions: waterlily, pickerel rush, horsetail rush
Propagation: Division
Fragrant Waterlily
Nymphaea odorata
Nymphaceae
NATIVE
Form: Rhizomatous water plant, native to Nebraska and much of the eastern United States, flat against surface of water and spreading up to 10 feet
Foliage: Circular leaves up to 12 inches in diameter when mature, with one deep notch from the margin to the leaf stalk which is centered in the leaf. The leaves are thick and leathery, green on upper surface and purple on the underside, and may stand above water when young; coarse or bold texture
Flowers: Up to 4 inches or more across, white, each petal oval, elegant, neatly arranged around a center of yellow stamens and a single pistil. The flowers are distinctly fragrant and open in the morning and close with afternoon sun; June to August
Seedheads: Small pods, not as ornamental as lotus
Culture: Full sun to very light shade; colonizes in still water with rich, organic bottoms but will not survive out of water, or in moving water. Can be placed in containers in smaller ponds.
Uses: Naturalized ponds and wetlands.
Companions: Allow to colonize in water, but combine with marginal or emergent plants such as Siberian iris, variegated cattail, butterbur, horsetail rush
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: Nymphaea hybrids include the tropicals, which include fabulous, other-worldly colors
Japanese Butterbur/Sweet Coltsfoot
Petasites japonicus/Petasites peltatum
Asteraceae
Form: Spreads aggressively by rhizomes to form broad, low masses; height 36 inches, spread 72 inches or more
Foliage: Massive basal leaves with long petioles follow flowers; rounded or kidney-shaped (reniform); margins toothed; 18 inches across in an average year and approach 36 inches in wet conditions; bold texture
Flowers: Extremely fragrant greenish yellow corymbs like softballs arise from seemingly bare soil in early spring; stems elongate to hold flowers upright like mushrooms as they age—highly attractive to bees, an oddity in April
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade; constantly wet soils. Foliage burns and wilts in full sun and dry conditions. Sweet coltsfoot is considered invasive in some states; butterbur is a better choice
Uses: Tropical, unusual plant for wet sites; groundcover.
Companions: joe pye weed, swamp milkweed, Siberian iris
Propagation: Division
Reed Canarygrass
Phalaris arundinacea
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Cool season native grass with a loose open habit and upright stems, spreading aggressively by rhizomes to out-compete other natives; height of the straight species to 60 inches and spread to 60 inches or more
Foliage: Narrow, pointed blade; bright green; medium texture
Flowers: Tan plumes in June on slender stalks above foliage
Seedheads: Long, cylindrical, seed heads; persistent into early winter
Culture: Full sun to shade; prefers moist to wet soils rich in organic matter but is tolerant of sandy soils and clay if kept moist. Contain or limit use to avoid excessive spread. Cut back in spring
Uses: Tall groundcover or erosion control plant; wetlands and pond edges.
Companions: cattails, joe pye weed, swamp milkweed.
Propagation: Division, seed
Cultivars: ‘Picta’ - ribbon grass, gardener’s garters; old-fashioned, popular and aggressive plant with dramatic cream stripes. Margins will burn in full sun, but this plant is tolerant of the most hostile conditions, including hot spots along drives and sidewalks. Height to 24 inches
‘Feesy’ or `Feesy’s Form’ - has stronger variegation and a distinct pink tinge to stems and foliage in cool weather; 18 to 24 inches tall
Common Reed
Phragmites australis
Juncaceae
NATIVE
Form: Graceful, tall (exceeding 10 feet in some locations), deceptively beautiful thug in waterways, with the ability to travel rapidly in watercourses for miles and choke out other vegetation
Foliage: Leaves are up to 2 inches wide, gray-green and held almost vertically
Flowers: Tan to purplish plumes, held terminally above the foliage and appearing to all wave in the same direction in any breeze; August to September
Seedheads: Translucent silver to light tan plumes; effective through the winter
Culture: Water’s edge or swampy soils in full sun to part shade
Uses: This is rapidly becoming a noxious wetland weed, choking out native plants at an alarming rate and almost uncontrollable. Use variegated forms in containers or controlled locations for height, contrast to autumn colors. It is on the invasive species list; Control measures include grazing
Propagation: DON’T. This is incredibly difficult to control, and takes over waterways.
Giant Fleeceflower/Smartweed
Persicaria polymorpha
Polygonaceae
Form: Large, upright rounded, almost shrub-like perennial, reaching a height and spread of 48 to 60 inches
Foliage: Alternate, uniformly lanceolate leaves up to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide with slightly wavy margins arise from strong jointed stems, occasionally subtended by a smaller leaflike bract. Extremely sticky surfaces with unique odor. Bold or coarse texture
Flower: Terminal panicles 6 to 9 inches long, packed with tiny white to cream flowers, five-petaled and often fragrant. The inflorescence is showy and long-lasting, almost foamy in appearance. June to July
Seedheads: Not effective, but the jointed stems call be allowed to stand for winter interest Culture: Like most members of the family, giant fleeceflower is tolerant of full sun to almost full shade and nearly all soil types and moisture conditions. It performs best in average garden soils with consistent moisture, but will survive the intermittently wet conditions of rain gardens. Susceptible to damage by Japanese beetles and other foraging, chewing insects. Remove spent flowers after bloom.
Uses: Specimen, backdrop, structure and scale between shrubs and smaller perennials.
Companions: lambs ears, large native and ornamental grasses, asters, goldenrod, amsonia
Propagation: Division
Tovara
Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis
Polygonaceae
Form: Upright, spreading rapidly from jointed stems to form clumps 36 inches or more across; height 36 inches
Foliage: Alternate, rather coarse, ovate leaves up to 6 inches long with entire margins. Dark green with creamy yellow to white variegation. The leaves are very thin and easily damaged by wind; bold or coarse texture
Flowers: Not showy, tiny, pinkish brown to red on very slender axillary spikes in late summer. August to September
Seedheads: Small disc-like seeds shatter and spread themselves with abandon; not showy
Culture: Average to wet conditions in full sun to part shade; tolerant of heavy clay. Spread can be controlled by surrounding the plant with concrete or placing it in a container. Cut back if foliage becomes leggy or tattered.
Uses: Bold groundcover in difficult locations.
Companions: joe-pye weed, Japanese butterbur, creeping buttercup, white snakeroot
Propagation: Division or cuttings; can be easily increased by covering the jointed stems with soil and keeping the area moist
Cultivars: ‘Painter’s Palette’ - is most available; leaves bear a distinct red `V’ across the center; fading to bronze.
Pickerel Weed
Pontederia cordata
Ponteridaceae
Form: A vertical colonizer, forming large colonies in emergent locations; height 24 to 36 inches, spread indefinite
Foliage: Alternate, but often clustered toward the terminal ends of the branched stems; lance-shaped to heart-shaped, dark green, varying in size from 1 inch to 6 inches or more in length. The veins are prominent.
Flowers: Prominent, showy violet-blue to occasionally white flowers densely packed into a nearly cylindrical terminal spike. Individual flowers have five petals. May to June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Constantly wet soil in full sun to part shade; performs best near edges of ponds and slow-moving streams
Uses: Water garden, naturalized wetlands. This is considered invasive in some states, and endangered in others.
Companions: joe pye weed, fragrant waterlily, other emergent plants
Propagation: Division
Golden Glow/Cutleaf Coneflower
Rudbeckia laciniata (R. nitida)
Asteraceae
NATIVE
Form: Upright and weakly vase-shaped, developing large open clumps; foliage height and spread 36 inches; flowering stems to 72 inches
Foliage: Very large dull green leaves to 10 inches or more long with 3 to 7 deep rounded lobes on lower leaves and 3 on sessile upper leaves; mitten-shaped appearance; coarse texture
Flowers: Limp yellow rays up to 4 inches long appear to flutter around raised green discs; flowers held singly on open branched stems well above foliage; long bloom time beginning in July and continuing through September, especially if plants are regularly deadheaded
Culture: Full sun to part shade; consistently moist soils preferred but tolerant of drier conditions if supplemental water can be provided during drought; will show heat and water stress quickly by drooping. Plants can flop in high winds because of height; pinch or locate near dense plants for support. Cut flowering stems after bloom and deadhead for extended season
Seedheads: Not effective
Uses: Backdrop, specimen, naturalized areas, pond edges or wetland gardens, cut flowers.
Companions: asters, butterflybush, globe thistle, ornamental grasses, joepye weed, veronica
Propagation: Divide clumps in spring or fall
Cultivars: ‘Herbstonne’ - Many-petaled, drooping yellow flowers surrounding bright green disc, up to 7 feet tall; may be a hybrid between R. laciniata and R. nitidus
‘Goldquelle’ and ‘Golden Glow’ are other good selections
Common Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Alismataceae
NATIVE
Form: Emergent plant that forms large colonies from rhizomes; leaf stalks rise from 24 to 36 inches above the water; spread may be indefinite
Foliage: A single, arrowhead (sagittate) shaped blade on each stalk. Leaves are up to 12 inches long and bright green. The blades point upwards at a slight angle
Flowers: Terminal and solitary or clustered, held on slender, rigid stalks that rise directly from the roots. The inflorescence may be branched at the base. The buds are round, held on long peduncles, and open to rounded white petals forming flowers up to 1 ¾ inches across. The petals surround a bright yellow center of up to 40 stamens. The upper flowers are male, lower female. June to September
Seedheads: Achenes; not effective.
Culture: Full sun to part shade.
Uses: Colonizer in naturalized ponds and water gardens. Considered invasive in some states.
Companions: other emergent plants.
Companions: other emergent plants.
Propagation: Division
Prairie Cordgrass
Spartina pectinata
Poaceae
NATIVE
Form: Wide-spreading, upright to upright arching plant that spreads aggressively by rhizomes to a height in flower of 72 inches or more and an indefinite spread
Foliage: Dark green leaves ½ to 5/8 inches wide, glossy surfaces and smooth edges. Medium texture
Flowers: Stiffly open terminal panicles, with the side ‘branches’ held almost perpendicular to the main stalk. July to August
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to very light shade in moist to dry soil. Prairie cordgrass spreads much less rapidly in dry conditions. Excellent upright choice for rain gardens. Cut back in March.
Uses: Conservation plantings, erosion control, habitat, large pond and wetland areas.
Companions: Swamp milkweed, joe pye weed, switchgrass
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: ‘Aureomarginata’ - yellow to gold variegation on foliage; ornamental in managed water gardens
Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
Commelinaceae
Form: Vase-shaped clumps that spread rapidly to form colonies; height and spread from 18 to 24 inches
Foliage: Alternate, with parallel veins, 1 inch wide and 12 to 15 inches long. Leaves may be slightly folded down the center and dusted with silvery pubescence. Foliage, flowers and stems are filled with a mucilaginous sap; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Terminal umbels that may hold one to several flowers from 1 to 3 inches across, each of which has three bright green sepals and three rounded petals like thin, pubescent tissue paper surrounding six yellow stamens. Flowers are very showy for a single day, but buds are produced over several weeks. Flowers may be rose, purple, blue, or white. May to June
Culture: Full sun to part shade in average garden soil, including clay. Provide even moisture for best performance, but spiderwort will tolerate wet conditions and intermittently dry conditions (rain gardens) with slightly reduced performance. If leaves become tattered, cut back to 6 inches for a new flush of foliage.
Uses: Border, colonizer in part shade, texture, water’s edge.
Companions: Cranesbills, buttercup, bergenia, coral bells, turtlehead
Propagation: Seed, division in spring or fall
Cultivars: ‘Purple Dome’ - brilliant purple-blue and good form
‘Concord Grape’ - red-purple flowers held well above the foliage and occurring in large numbers
‘Sweet Kate’ - chartreuse foliage and deep blue-purple flowers; shorter hybrid
Other species: T. ohiensis, T. tharpii, T. bracteata, hybrids (Including T. X andersoniana)
Narrow-Leaved Cattail
Typha angustifolia
Typhaceae
Form: Narrowly upright, colonizing by creeping rhizomes; height to 6 feet or more with an equal spread
Foliage: Narrow, linear blades, less than ½ inch wide; bright green; alternate; medium texture
Flowers: Tiny, appearing in dense cigar-like clusters up to 12 inches long, on stiff stalks in July to September; male flowers on upper portion, separated by a break from female flowers
Seedheads: Remain intact if preserved or placed in a location where they will not be bumped; if this happens, the fluffy achene spreads fluffy ‘down’ over everything
Culture: Full sun to shade; standing water to consistently moist soils rich in organic matter. Will appear unexpectedly in these locations, sprouting from wind-borne seed. Rapid colonization can take over a pond; lowering water level kills the areas where the soil dries.
Uses: Naturalized wetlands, pond edges, specimen container plant (particularly variegated cultivars).
Companions: Japanese butterbur, swamp milkweed, arrowhead, joe pye weed
Companions: Japanese butterbur, swamp milkweed, arrowhead, joe pye weed
Propagation: Division, seed
Cultivars: `Variegata’ - smaller, less aggressive, with cream variegation on leaves. Not reliably hardy in exposed conditions
Other species: T. latifolia, common cattail. The selection ‘Minima’ is quite ornamental, very small, and useful in contained water gardens
