Dawn’s pick of the pond plants

Caltha palustris

The bright yellow waxy flowers of the marsh marigold appear in spring. Thrives in bog gardens or pond margins. H40cm (16in) S45cm (18in)

Nymphaea ‘Barbara Dobbins’

Large water lily flowers 20cm (8in) across in peach or yellow with a pink flush June-Sept. Plant at D50-60cm (20-24in) S1.2m (4ft)

Ranunculus aquatilis

A flowering oxygenator so a double bonus for a pond. Dies back after its white buttercup-shaped flowers finish flowering in May. H10cm (4in) S50cm (20in)

Marsilea quadrifolia

This aquatic fern has floating clover-shaped leaves, which start green but change to bronze when grown in full sun. H15cm (6in) S1m (3ft 3in)

Iris laevigata

‘Weymouth Blue’ Marginal iris with arching sword-like leaves and blue-purple flowers May-June. Grow in full sun. H60cm (2ft) S30cm (12in)

Hottonia palustris

An oxygenator for full sun, it floats below the water’s surface, cleaning the water. Pinky-lilac flowers in spring. H20cm (8in) S1.2m (4ft)

Calla palustris

Hide the edges of a rigid pond liner with the glossy heart-shaped leaves of creeping bog arum. White flowers June-July. H25cm (10in) S60cm (2ft)

Scirpus zebrinus

The zebra rush is a marginal plant with cream banding on its stems like porcupine quills. Best grown in full sun. H60-90cm (2-3ft) S60cm (2ft)

Myosotis scorpioides

A marginal plant that creeps into surrounding wet soil, our native water forget-me-not has tiny sky-blue flowers May-Sept. H30cm (12in) S40cm (16in)

Persicaria amphibia

A native plant with glossy dark green strap-like leaves and pink fluffy flowers June-Sept, which stand above the water. H25cm (10in) S60cm (2ft)