Perfect plants for container ponds

Canna

Pop cannas in their pots into your container pond for the summer. They’ll make a striking addition to your planting. Move them out as autumn arrives and temperatures drop.

Houttuynia

A striking variegation in yellow, red and green with white flowers in late summer. Plant just below the surface of the water. Try crushing a leaf to test for a spicy, orange peel scent.

Dwarf water lilies

Pygmy water lilies have flowers only 3cm (1in) wide. Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’ is white with a yellow centre. Plant at the bo om of the pond and tidy up regularly.

Anemopsis californica

Honey-scented, white blooms that can turn red if cold weather comes in autumn. Plant in sun or shade, just under the surface of the water. The coned centres a ract pollinators.

Kaffir lilies

Hesperantha (schizostylis) are glorious late summer and autumn splashes of colour, perfect in a po ed pond, planted shallowly. Deadhead for a longer show of blooms.

Giant cowslips

Primula florindae has drooping, scented blooms until early autumn, that can be sited shallowly in sun or part shade in the pot. Bees love them. Cut down stems after flowering.