Aquatic plants and water in the garden

Including water in your garden can be as simple or as ambitious as you want it to be – it all depends on the result you're aiming for, and how much time and motivation you have for the task. In this article, we’ll focus on the beautiful plants you can enjoy by making room for water in your garden – and we’ll share some easy, low-threshold methods to help you get started. If you're ready to go "all in," check out our guide on how to create your very own garden pond.

There’s a wide variety of aquatic plants – from those that float on the water’s surface to those that thrive along the water’s edge. What they all have in common is their need for plenty of water to flourish. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular types.

You simply can’t talk about aquatic plants without mentioning water lilies – known in Norwegian as nøkkeroser. And for good reason. These floating beauties, with their distinctive round leaves and vibrant blooms, are not only strikingly beautiful but also steeped in myth and legend. Belonging to the genus Nymphaea, water lilies thrive in still, freshwater environments. Most varieties need a bit of room, both in width and depth, making them ideal for larger ponds or garden water features. Below, you’ll find examples of some of our most popular water lilies.

Water lily 'Alba' is the classic of all classics in the garden pond.

Water lily ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ is considered one of the best varieties of water lily, with creamy yellow flowers and a long flowering period.

Water lily 'Attraction' is a sure eye-catcher in the water, with its deep pink flowers.

Water lily ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnère’ awakens the romantic in almost anyone, with its light pink flowers, darker in the center and almost white at the edges.

The most commonly used name is probably marsh marigold, but the plant is also called moorland marigold, and the scientific name is Caltha palustris.

Marsh marigold evokes childhood memories for many, and it thrives like the yolk in an egg along the edge of a pond.

There are many types of iris, and not all of them are equally suited to a wet environment, but some types are perfect for the garden pond. Below you can see two examples.

Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) has sword-shaped, upright leaves and blooms in a harmonious bluish-purple color – perfect as a border plant around a pond.

Japanese Iris (Iris ensata, formerly kaempferi) is another iris favorite along the garden pond. It features broad petals and striking yellow flowers.

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) grows wild in several parts of Norway. The plant features tall, elegant flower spikes with deep pink blossoms clustered at the top. It can be planted in a flower bed, but since it prefers moist soil, it's an excellent choice for the edge of a pond.

Butterflies and bees greatly appreciate the small, pink flowers of the purple loosestrife.

This water plant has red-green leaves and beautiful flower spikes with deep red flowers.

Lobelia cardinalis is also used as an aquarium plant, as it can tolerate being completely submerged in water for periods of time.

Just like inside the living room, green plants can elevate any garden – and there are many varieties that thrive in water and humid environments.

Horsetail (Hippuris vulgaris) has upright stems and small, whorled leaves; it grows quickly and spreads outwards.

Isolepis cernua is a decorative pond grass that produces small silvery-white flower clusters at the tips of its leaves.

Japanese horsetail (Equisetum japonica) is an ornamental aquatic plant with upright, green stems with prominent joint nodes.

A garden pond is a dream for many, and it’s definitely not impossible to create one, but you don’t need a large garden or a big project to introduce water into your space. A water mirror not only adds visual appeal and extra life to your garden, but it can also attract small animals and insects, such as bees and butterflies. Here are some simple ways to add water to your garden:

1. Fill a large pot, jar, barrel, fire pit, or any other suitable container with water – get creative, just make sure the container is watertight and can withstand being outdoors.
2. Experiment with different containers in various sizes and shapes to create a larger water mirror, tailoring the look to fit your garden's style.
3. Bury a container so that the water is nearly level with the ground if you want to create the illusion of a pond.
4. Select plants that thrive in wet conditions and place them elegantly in or around the containers.

And just like that, you have water in your garden!

Finally, we want to remind you that water always comes with a certain risk. Remember that even in shallow water, small children can drown, so always supervise the little ones. It's also a good idea to add a rescue plank or ramp, so any animals can get out if they accidentally fall into the water.

Tips from the gardener:

- Elin F. Nordli, horticulturist with a master's degree in horticulture and a special fondness for daylilies (Hemerocallis)

You are here:

• Tips and tricks - Outdoor plants and garden