skip to main content

Ponds & Aquatic Plants

marginal plant height

15 years ago

I have a shelf and have planted level 1 and 2 plants in the gravel around the shelf. Sometimes I think they might be in too deep. Does anyone know the rule of thumb for where they should be.. I would say the water level is about 2 or 3 inches above the root line on some and lower then root line on others.. How does one know how high the water line can be on these different kinds of plants. Also when I cut them back after the first hard frost do I cut them back to the root line or the water line? I'm new at this.. Please help

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

nancyd
15 years ago
You'll have to do your research. Each plant is different and sometimes while they will do fine at a deeper depth, they won't flower. For instance lemon bacopa does OK in about 6 inches of water, but it won't flower. It likes shallower water. While thalia dealbata can go even deeper than that and will still produce flowers. There isn't a formula that works for all plants. Do a google search for water garden or pond plants or buy a pond plant book.
kimbra8
Original Author
15 years ago
Can you recommend any particular sites as I have looked and am not finding the info in that detailed a description. It would be wonderful if I could find out per plant what depth to the root line. Thanks for your help
Related Discussions
what do you plant in marginal spaces?
Q
Comments (1)
I plant alpine strawberries (red, yellow and white) up against the north side of the house. USDA zone 2-10! Here is a list of plants from Raintree Nursery, look for ones suitable for your climate: Partial Shade May have less fruit. Alpine Strawberry Bamboo (some types) Dogwood Elderberry Evergreen & Red Huckleberry Filbert Gooseberry Hydrangea Jasmine Lipstick Strawberry Lingonberry Magnolia Vines Musk Strawberry Paw Paw Pie Cherry Salmonberry Serviceberry Sugar Maple Thimbleberry blackberry Full Shade Bamboo (in sunny climates) Currants Carolina Allspice Evergreen Huckleberry Flowering Currant Wasabi Highbush Cranberry blackberry Some of the most common and beloved vegetable garden favorites are perfectly suited for shade (Mother Earth News), including: Arugula Basil Celery Kale Lettuce Peas Potatoes Spinach This post was edited by Fascist_Nation on Fri, Apr 18, 14 at 21:12
...See More
how do marginal plants work with waterproof pond?
Q
Comments (7)
I have built a bog area around 1 side of my pond for marginal plants. It is lined with a few small holes for some drainage. I only have manageable marginals--pitcher plants, Mexican petunia, Louisiana iris, several types of sedum and some kind of grass. It is also the area I have all the rocks I collect on various hikes and vacations, some drift wood and 2 metal cranes.
...See More
marginal plant suggestions ?
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks, nancym1956. I hadn't thought about parrot feather covering...I like that. pollywoggin - I appreciate your offer but I don't really have anything to swap with you....yet! :) Soon, I hope.
...See More
Winter survival of marginally hardy plants
Q
Comments (6)
a-HA! I looked up his nursery and it's in Raleigh NC. Which is inland enough to experience a freeze in winter, but a fairly short winter, compared to us. I bet most of us are already siting our borderline zone plants to take advantage of shrubs for winter protection. For example, I'm growing some antique climbing roses which are supposed to be OK to zone 6. I've planted them on the south side of tall cedar posts (to eventually grow up those posts) and also along the north side of a fenced garden, to benefit from the high hedge-y tangle on the other side of that north fence. For herbaceous perennials (such as hostas, ferns and daylilies) I'm letting them survive facing north, with a high concrete wall to their south; and they seem to do OK there. But those perennials are not borderline for this zone. --change of subject: it's pouring down rain right now and maybe that'll cool off things outside. Pleasant here, with the AC on. Carol
...See More
nkm56
15 years ago
watergarden.com has a lot of plants and advises the depth for each one. Maybe you'll find some of yours there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Watergarden.com
comettose
15 years ago
What plants do you have that you want to know the depth?

In general it is best to plant more shallow at first. I've found most marginals I look at say 0 to 2" over the top of the pot. That is why I look for marginals that can be sunk deep, like 12 to 18" over the 'soil' line.

I have a good book called The Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants by Greg and Sue Speichert. Lots of cultural information and lots of different plants.
prairie_bogger
15 years ago
Here's another site that has detailed info including water depth for a variety of aquatic plants. Just use the menu on the left side to quickly find the plant you're looking for.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: Minnesota Water Garden Society: Plant Profiles

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Try Penstemon Digitalis for Showy White Blooms

By Pollination Press LLC

Bees gather nectar from this North American native while you’ll appreciate its unthirsty nature and soil tolerance

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Corylus Americana Awakens the Woodland Garden

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant American hazelnut for three seasons of interest and to feed our furry and feathered friends

CURB APPEAL Take Your Hell Strip to Heavenly Heights: 8 Design Ideas

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Trade weedy dirt and trash for a parking strip filled with wispy grasses, low-growing flowers and textural trees

WINDOWS These Windows Let In Light at Floor Height

By Joanna Tovia

Low-set windows may look unusual, but they can be a great way to protect your privacy while letting in daylight

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Pale Indian Plantain Stands Tall and Proud

By Pollination Press LLC

Height and generous flower heads earn Arnoglossum atriplicifolium the attention of both human and insect visitors

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Red Kangaroo Paw

By Annie Thornton

Plant this dramatic perennial in fall or spring for its height, hardiness and beautiful red blooms

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ironweed Fills Tall Garden Orders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Height, a slender form and a taste for wet soil make this native perfect for rain garden borders — and beneficial insects love it

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners

GOLD FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Feather Reed Grass

By Annie Thornton

Use this ornamental grass for height, color, texture and motion in your landscape

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Consider a Plant as Living Sculpture

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

If traditional garden art isn’t really your thing, plant living art instead

Sponsored

More Discussions

Leak in my small inground prefab watergarden...?

1

pothos with yellow leaves

7

Stock tank cracked, New tank has brass drain

1

Growing impatiens in water

1