Native Wetland and Pond Plants

Arrowhead

Sagittaria spp.

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Poor Moisture: Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

3 ft height. Perennial, broad to strap shaped leaves, white flowers on long stalks, plant in shallow water.

Bacopa, Herb-of-Grace (aka Water Hyssop)

Bacopa monneri

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Fair Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

5 in. height. Makes an excellent groundcover in wet landscapes. Host for the White peacock butterfly.

White/pink flowers. Attracts a variety of small pollinators. https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-bacopa-monnieri/

Bacopa, Lemon

Bacopa caroliniana

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Poor Soil PH: Acid Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

5 in. height. Good groundcover in wet landscapes. It can spread to form large mats. Blue flowers.

Lemon scented leaves. Used medicinally. Host plant for the White peacock butterfly. Attracts a variety of small pollinators.

https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-bacopa-caroliniana/

Blue Eyed Iris

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Average / Moist Leaves: Evergeen

6-12 in height. Reseeding, perennial wildflower and groundcover. Showy and profuse little blue/purple flowers in spring attract pollinators. Naturalizes.

Blue Flag Iris

Iris virginica

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Acid Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

3 ft height. Perennial. Lavender flowers in spring. Wet sites. Naturalizes.

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Deciduous

8 ft height, prunable. Perennial. Long-lived. Great for pond edge or stream bed. Host plant for several native moths. Showy, round, poof-ball, scented white flowers that attract pollinators, including butterflies. Showy fruits with seed for birds.

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Acid Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

3 ft height. Perennial. Brilliant red flower in summer. A favorite of hummingbirds.

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemal

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

3 ft height. Scouring-rush, interesting texture, naturalizes.

Giant Leather Fern

Acrostichum danaeifolium

Cold: Semi-tender Light: Sun / Partial Shade / Shade Salt: Excellent Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Average / Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

8 ft height. Bank stabilizer. Showy. Good for moist sites.

Golden Canna

Canna flaccida

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

4 ft height. Bank stabilizer. Showy. Self-fertile. Spreading. Large, showy, yellow, orchid-like blooms spring through summer and attract pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies.

Host plant for Brazilian skipper butterfly.

Lizard’s Tail

Saururs cernuus

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

2-4 ft height. Perennial. Spreading. Fragrant, showy, white flowers bloom early spring through summer. Bank stabilizer.

Attracts a variety of pollinators and is also eaten by foraging ducks.

Mangrove Spider Lily

Hymenocallis latifolia

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Excellent Soil PH: Alkaline Moisture: Average / Moist Leaves: Evergreen

2-4 ft height. Perennial, clump-forming. White, fragrant flowers in summer, fall or winter. Pollinated by sphinx moth and attracts other pollinators as well.

Pickerelweed

Pontederia lanceolata

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade Salt: Poor Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Evergreen

3 ft height. Perennial, narrow lance shaped leaves with blue flowers on long stalks, plant in shallow water.

https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-pontederia-cordata/

Saltmarsh Mallow

Kostcletzkya pentacarpos

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Excellent Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Wet Leaves: Deciduous

2-6 ft height, up to 4’ wide. Perennial, clump-forming. Showy, pink blooms spring through fall attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Almost the entire plant is edible for people.

Scarlet Hibiscus

Hibiscus coccineus

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun Salt: Poor Soil PH: Acid Moisture: Moist / Flooded Leaves: Deciduous

3 ft height. Shrub-like, red flowers spring-fall, bright, plant near outdoor shower or air-conditioner if you aren't in moist conditions.

String Lily

Crinum americanum

Cold: Hardy Light: Sun / Partial Shade / Shade Salt: Fair Soil PH: Acid Moisture: Average / Moist Leaves: Deciduous

1-2 ft height, 1 ft spread. long-lived perennial, clump-forming. White, showy and fragrant flowers in summer, fall or winter.

Pollinated by sphinx moths. Larval host for Spanish moth a.k.a. convict caterpillar.

Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Cold: Hardy Light: Partial Shade / Shade Salt: Poor Soil PH: Wide Moisture: Moist / Wet Leaves: Deciduous

8 ft height, up to 6 ft width. Perennial, suckering habit assists with soil stabilization along pond edges. Attractive and long-blooming flowers and fall color.