Uses of Wetland Plants

Biological Filtration of Ponds

• Hydrophytic vegetation is a scientific term applied to wetland plants that have special adaptations that allow them to thrive in waterlogged environments. Wetland plants have special root systems that allow them to thrive in anaerobic conditions -- areas without oxygen -- commonly found in wetlands. Wetland plants are highly efficient at converting nutrients and sunlight into plant growth. They play an important role in aquatic ecosystems by utilizing excess fertilizers and nutrients from agricultural activities -- a process called biological filtration -- which prevents problems such as algal blooms and deoxygenation in aquatic environments. Even small areas of wetland plants placed around garden ponds help maintain healthy water quality through biological filtration.

Habitat for Aquatic Animals

• Animals, from microscopic flatworms to migratory birds, depend on wetlands as a source of food, water, shelter and nesting sites for reproduction. The loose soils, fibrous root systems and dense growth of wetland plants both above and below the water surface provide habitats for a large number of animals. Some animals spend their entire life cycle in wetlands while others visit wetlands only to reproduce. Because so many animals depend on wetlands for at least part of their life cycle, wetlands are highly protected environments.

  Adding wetland plants to your garden pond is a way to increase biodiversity on your property. Some species of frogs and salamanders lay their eggs on the root systems of wetland plants, while turtles, fish and many other animals take refuge in plants along the edge of ponds.

Bog Gardens

• Creating a bog garden is an excellent way to grow wetland plants in your home garden, even if you do not have a garden pond on your property. Bog gardens area easily constructed by excavating a slight depression in the ground -- at least 18 inches deep -- and then placing a impermeable liner along the bottom that will retain water. Add a mixture of half sand, half pear soil and fill with water to create your own wetland environment to grow wetland plants. Cattails, reeds, sedges and ferns all thrive in bog gardens, while exotic carnivorous plants can also be grown in warm locations. Bog gardens allow you to grow plants that would not otherwise grow in your landscape.