Let’s be honest, your pond is likely already a pretty sweet spot. But if you want to take it up a notch, pond landscapers know that marginal plants are the way to go. These beauties grow right along the edges of the water and bring a mix of color, texture, and function that truly completes the look.
When it comes to designing a thriving, eye-catching pond, choosing the right plants can be tricky. At Colorado Pond Pros, our experienced pond landscapers love using marginal plants to add visual interest and support the health of your pond’s ecosystem. Check out our list of 25 tried-and-true plants that thrive in Colorado’s Zone 5 climate and bring seasonal beauty without creating extra maintenance.
What Are Marginal Plants? (And Why Do They Matter?)
Marginal plants are those that grow in the shallow water along the edges of your pond or in boggy areas nearby. They create a smooth transition between your water feature and the surrounding landscape. These plants don’t just sit there looking pretty, though. They play an important role in the health of your pond and the wildlife it supports.
Here’s why marginal plants are a smart addition to any pond:
- They add long-lasting color and texture to your pond area.
- They help keep your water clean by soaking up excess nutrients.
- They attract butterflies, birds, frogs and helpful insects.
- They’re well-suited to Colorado’s climate and need little maintenance.
- They help prevent erosion around your pond edges.
25 Aquatic Marginal Plants Recommended by the Pros
We’ve got you covered from the first spring bloom to the bold colors of fall with this lineup of seasonal beauties.
Spring Favorites:
- Marsh Marigold: Low-growing, bright yellow flowers.
- Water Iris: Purple-blue flowers, strong and reliable.
- Primrose Creeper: Yellow flowers and reddish leaves.
- Horsetail: Tall green stems that add strong vertical lines.
- Pickerelweed: Blue-violet flowers with heart-shaped leaves.
Summertime Picks:
- Cardinal Flower: Bright red flowers that hummingbirds love.
- Water Mint: Lilac flowers and a fresh scent.
- Sweet Flag: Upright sword-like leaves with a pleasant aroma.
- Variegated Sweet Flag: Same as Sweet Flag but with bold striped foliage.
- Lizard’s Tail: White drooping flowers and lush leaves.
- Water Celery: Ribbon-like underwater foliage that oxygenates the pond.
- Broadleaf Arrowhead: Arrow-shaped leaves and white flowers.
- Water Forget-Me-Not: Tiny blue flowers that spread well.
- Soft Rush: Clean, vertical lines with cylindrical green stems.
Late Season Bloomers:
- Joe-Pye Weed: Pink-purple flowers that attract butterflies.
- Monkey Flower: Summer-blooming blue-violet flowers.
- Purple Loosestrife (non-invasive types only): Tall purple flower spikes.
- Creeping Jenny: Groundcover with yellow flowers and golden foliage.
- Wool Grass: Adds a soft touch with fluffy brown seed heads.
- Blue Flag Iris: Similar to Water Iris, but blooms a little later.
- Water Plantain: Tall stalks with delicate white flowers.
- Pennywort: Bright green, rounded leaves that float or trail.
- Dwarf Cattail: A compact version of the classic pond plant.
- Japanese Sweet Flag: Smaller size with fine, textured leaves.
- Yellow Flag Iris: Vibrant yellow flowers and strong growth.
Need Planting Tips? We’ve Got You Covered!
Choosing the right plants for your pond’s unique conditions makes all the difference. At Colorado Pond Pros, we’ve spent years fine-tuning what works best in our climate. These quick tips can help you set your plants up for long-term success and less maintenance for the betterment of your pond or water feature.
Quick Tips for Seasonal Planting Success:
- Match the plant to the amount of sunlight and water depth in your pond.
- Use planting baskets or aquatic containers to manage growth and rearrange easily.
- Plan for mature sizes so your plants have room to grow without crowding each other.
Why Get Your Hands Dirty When You Can Call in the Pros?
So, you want a beautiful, low-maintenance pond that feels like a private getaway, right? No problem! Who doesn’t love a good DIY project from time to time? At Colorado Pond Pros, we fully support your decision to enhance your pond yourself. But….
What if you could save the hassle and let us do the dirty work for you? As trusted pond landscapers, we offer custom planting packages that take the guesswork out of creating a stunning, balanced pond.
We’ll help you choose the right combination of plants for your pond, install them with care and make sure everything is set up to thrive in Colorado’s unique weather conditions. Whether you’re adding a few new plants or going for a full refresh, we’re here to help you turn your pond area into a space where you love to spend time.
Ready to bring your pond to life? Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can create a vibrant, healthy pondscape just for you.
