Marginals and bog garden plants

At the edge of the ponds and streams is the perfect place for marginals - plants that like to grow in shallow water. Those plants are important for pond wildlife. Bog garden plants like moist soil but with a good drainage, they don't like to stay in water or in waterlogged soils. Those plants are used to make the connection between the pond and the rest of the garden.

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is a rhizomatous perennial, marginal plant, with tall, rush-like foliage and showy umbels of flagrant pink flowers that appear in late summer. It can grow in water that can vary between 5-25 cm deep. Propagation can be done by dividing the rhizomes in early spring, just before the plant that its growth.

Marsh marigold or Kingcup (Caltha palustris) is a herbaceous perennial, marginal plant, easy to grow. It has deep green foliage with rounded to kidney-shaped leaves and waxy texture. and bright yellow, waxy flowers that appear in spring. It grows well in boggy ground or very shallow water of about 15 cm deep. It will grow and spread into good clumps but will not become invasive. Propagate by division of the clump in early spring or late summer.

Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus Variegata) is a n extremely vigorous iris that is suitable for medium to large-sized ponds. Its variegated leaves - half green, half creamy-yellow - are sword-like and create a good contrast with other plants. It bears yellow flowers in mid to late summer. To propagate this iris lift, divide and replant immediately after flowering.

Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is a rhizomatous perennial with dark pinkish-maroon spreading rhizomes and trifoliate leaves. It bears flowers that open white from pink buds in summer. It grows well in water with a depth of 15-23 cm. To propagate this plant cut rhizomes into sections and peg them into wet soil.

Water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) is a rhizomatous perennial that makes a really good waterside plant. It bears pale-eyed, blue flowers in early summer. It prefers shallow water, no deeper than 10 cm. You can propagate this plant by sowing seeds on to wet compost, or planting ready-rooted sections of rhizome.

Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) is a perennial, bog garden plant, grown for its foliage that is fresh green in spring and turns orange and russet in autumn. It prefers a moist, acid soil, enriched with organic matter. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn.

Candelabra primula (Primula pulverulenta) is a hardy perennial that overwinters as a small rosette. In late spring it bears deep pink flowers with darker eyes, arranged in several whorls up the stem. It prefers a wet, boggy, neutral to acid soil, enriched with organic matter. Propagate by sowing seeds as soon as they ripe or divide the plant in its dormant period.

Striped rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris subsp. Tabernaemontani Zebrinus) is an ornamental grass for boggy pondside with gray-green stems patterned with creamy-white bands. It grows well in boggy soil or submerged by up to 30 cm of water. Propagation can be done by rooting sections of rhizome in spring or summer.

Water figwort (Scrophularia auriculata Variegata) is a herbaceous perennial with attractive foliage. The leaves are having creamy, irregular margins and markings. It bears greenish-maroon flowers throughout the summer. It prefers a wet, boggy soil. Propagate by dividing clumps or root basal cuttings in spring.

Globeflower (Trollius x cultorum Lemon Queen) is a vigorous perennial bearing bowl-shaped, pale, shimmering lemon flowers from spring to mid summer. It prefers a moist soil, enriched with organic matter. To propagate this plant, lift, divide and replant as growth begins or after flowering.