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Water Gardening Flowers

Water gardening comprises of growing plants in aquatic environments, such as a pond. Plants of atleast 3 types viz., floating plants, submerged plants and marginal plants form a part of water gardening. Water gardens are also known as aquatic gardens, or backyard ponds or garden ponds. Water gardens have become a popular item in the recent years for people who look forword to add running water to their gardens and landscape.

Types of Water Gardening

Water gardens are grown in 4 different environments based on the level of human intervention and natural setting. They are:

• Growing plants in containers with water
• Man-made ponds
• Natural ponds
• Bogs

Types of Aquatic Plants Grown

Plants grown in the Water gardens are can broadly be divided divided into 3 categories. They are submerged plants, marginal plants, and floating plants.

Submerged plants/Oxygenating Plants

Submerged flowering plants are the plants that live completely under the water. The leaves or flowers of the plants grow to the surface such as the water lily. Some submerged plants are also called as oxygenators as they generate oxygen and furnish some mineral absorption for the fish in a pond. Examples of submerged plants are: Water lily and Parrot Feather or Myriophyllum aquaticum, Hornwort, Cabomba, Anacharis Jungle Vall, etc.

Marginal plants/Bog plants

Marginal aquatic plants are the plants with their roots under the water and the rest of the plant above the surface of the water. These flowering plants are usually placed so that the top of the pot is at or barely below the water level. Examples of these are: Flag (Iris), Taro or Elephant Ear, Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), Nelumbo (lotus), Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Corkscrew etc.

Floating plants

Floating flowering plants are those that are the plants which are not fixed to the soil, but are free-floating on the surface of water. In water gardening, these are often used as a providers of shade to keep the growth of algae in a pond under control. Floating flowering plants are extremely fast growing. Examples of these are: Mosquito ferns (Azolla), Water-spangle (Salvinia), Water-clover (Marsilea vestita), Water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), etc.

Maintaining a Water garden

Regular maintainance is a must for water gardens. Following are some tips to take care of the water gardens:

• Do change the water periodically.
• Do provide feed for the aquatic life in the water garden.
• Do clean the power tools, atleast on a weekly basis.
• Do consult a professional (once in a month or so) to maintain the oxygen levels and acidity of the water under control.

Advantages of Water Gardens

• Water gardens are simply fascinating. Water gardens are in a controlled environment.
• Water gardens are flexible ornamental displays. Water gardens can be created anywhere from a backyard to a room in the house as well.
• Water gardens bring instant beauty to any household.
• Water gardens are not difficult to maintain. A little bit of patience and creativity gives a lot.
• Water gardens are a feast for the senses, providing an amazing journey for sensory perceptions.
• The symmetry between engineering and art disciplines makes the process of creating a water garden truly an exciting and, ultimately, very rewarding work.
• Water gardens brings a lot of joy and fun.

Disadvantages of Water Gardens

• Water gardens are a bit expensive.
• Engaging a professional is expensive.