Water Garden Flowers

Water Grown Plants

• One of the elemental features of a successful water garden is plants that grow in the water itself. Japanese iris is available in a number of different cultivars that bloom with yellow, purple, pink or blue flowers. The Japanese iris grows in shallow water as well as along the edge of a pond. Water poppy is a flower utilized either as a free-floater in the water or set inside a pot in shallow water. Yellow flag is a perennial that can be planted anywhere from 6 to 9 inches beneath the water's surface. Place the American lotus in a container fully submerged in the water.

Edge Flowers

• Flowers for your water garden's edge are available in a range of colors and shapes. Marsh marigold provides a contrast of yellow flowers and green leaves that can be planted in clubs along the edge. The Cardinal flower provides a vertical striping of red. The cream-colored flowers of white skunk cabbage put height into the flower collection along the bank.

Water Lilies

• Water lilies are a mainstay of water gardens due to their appearance and variety of colors. Tropical water lilies, such as Albert Greenberg and Bob Tricket, grow from inside a container set into the water. Andriana is a hardy water lily with flowers that open up to reveal a subtle reddish-orange hue. Joey Tomicik is a water lily of golden yellow that also provides a sharply spiced fragrance. Shirley Byne is a tropical water lily with pink flowers that open, revealing a small yellow center.

Companion Plants

• Companion plants feature flowers grown back from the edge of the water garden, providing a fullness to the area. Use impatiens to create an edging around the garden or group them together, creating a broad, pink background. Goldenrod lends golden-yellow color to the reflection emanating from the surface of the water.