Frogbit, Frog's Bit, Frogsbit
(Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) is a miniature floating plant
with smooth shiny green heart-shaped leaves 1-2” across.
Leaves are deeply notched at the base with thick spongy
tissue in the center and on undersides. Frogbit looks
similar to a small water lily, although, the name comes
from how it resembles the chin of a frog in the water.
Tiny cup shaped white flowers with a pale yellow center
in July and August . Frogbit does best in still water with
full sun to shade. Can be very aggressive with fast
coverage and require periodic thinning. Frogbit will root
where ever possible. Remove dead or dying foliage and
flowers as they appear. Hardy to zone 7 or higher,
winterizing is only possible indoors.
(Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) is a miniature floating plant
with smooth shiny green heart-shaped leaves 1-2” across.
Leaves are deeply notched at the base with thick spongy
tissue in the center and on undersides. Frogbit looks
similar to a small water lily, although, the name comes
from how it resembles the chin of a frog in the water.
Tiny cup shaped white flowers with a pale yellow center
in July and August . Frogbit does best in still water with
full sun to shade. Can be very aggressive with fast
coverage and require periodic thinning. Frogbit will root
where ever possible. Remove dead or dying foliage and
flowers as they appear. Hardy to zone 7 or higher,
winterizing is only possible indoors.
| FROGBIT |
| WATER LETTUCE |
| PARROTS FEATHER |
| WATER HYCYNTH |
| RED PARROTS FEATHER |
Hardy Floating - Water Lettuce
(Pistia stratiotes) a non-native Water Lettuce is a
free-floating plant with lots of spongy, light green
leaves. No planting is necessary. The leaves are
covered with tiny hairs and arranged in a spiral
pattern from the center of the plant. Water lettuce
leaves are 1- 6” wide and are ribbed with veins
through their length. Water Lettuce will grow in sun
but prefers partial shade during heat of the day and
will multiply quickly in warm water. Flowers are
seldom seen and hidden between the leaves. Water
lettuce can be very aggressive grower and will form
thick floating mats. Water lettuce should be
controlled so they do not cover the entire pond to
prevent oxygen depletions. Submerged portions of
these plants provide habitats for many invertebrates.
These invertebrates are used as food by fish and
other wildlife species. Hardy in zone 10 or higher.
(Pistia stratiotes) a non-native Water Lettuce is a
free-floating plant with lots of spongy, light green
leaves. No planting is necessary. The leaves are
covered with tiny hairs and arranged in a spiral
pattern from the center of the plant. Water lettuce
leaves are 1- 6” wide and are ribbed with veins
through their length. Water Lettuce will grow in sun
but prefers partial shade during heat of the day and
will multiply quickly in warm water. Flowers are
seldom seen and hidden between the leaves. Water
lettuce can be very aggressive grower and will form
thick floating mats. Water lettuce should be
controlled so they do not cover the entire pond to
prevent oxygen depletions. Submerged portions of
these plants provide habitats for many invertebrates.
These invertebrates are used as food by fish and
other wildlife species. Hardy in zone 10 or higher.
Red Stemmed Parrot's Feather
(Myriophyllum Brasiliensis) is a very adaptable plant.
Similar in habits to the green stemmed Parrot’s Feather
it is a newer dwarf form. Attractive red-stemmed foliage
that grows up out of the water with brilliant color
contrast. Stems are red-blue which can intensify with sun
exposure. Red Stemmed Parrot's Feather is excellent for
oxygenating and maintaining clean and healthy water. It
also provides a protective environment for small fish and
wildlife. Water depth 0-18” over the top of pot. Can also
tuck plants in rock crevices in steam beds, or water falls
where it will take root and grow out across the pond.
Older stems tend to become less attractive, snip off the
tips, and throw back in the water or push back into
planting material. In a few days it will quickly grow new
roots. Parrot’s Feather can also be used in aquariums.
Quick and easy growing in full to partial sun. Plumes will
grow to about 8 inches tall while the roots will filter the
water. In the evening plants will close up and drops of
water form on plant that sparkle in light. Hardy from
zone 5-11, can winter over indoors put cuts from plant in
a bowl of water with water-soluble fertilizer located in
the sun.
(Myriophyllum Brasiliensis) is a very adaptable plant.
Similar in habits to the green stemmed Parrot’s Feather
it is a newer dwarf form. Attractive red-stemmed foliage
that grows up out of the water with brilliant color
contrast. Stems are red-blue which can intensify with sun
exposure. Red Stemmed Parrot's Feather is excellent for
oxygenating and maintaining clean and healthy water. It
also provides a protective environment for small fish and
wildlife. Water depth 0-18” over the top of pot. Can also
tuck plants in rock crevices in steam beds, or water falls
where it will take root and grow out across the pond.
Older stems tend to become less attractive, snip off the
tips, and throw back in the water or push back into
planting material. In a few days it will quickly grow new
roots. Parrot’s Feather can also be used in aquariums.
Quick and easy growing in full to partial sun. Plumes will
grow to about 8 inches tall while the roots will filter the
water. In the evening plants will close up and drops of
water form on plant that sparkle in light. Hardy from
zone 5-11, can winter over indoors put cuts from plant in
a bowl of water with water-soluble fertilizer located in
the sun.
Parrot’s Feather
(Myriophyllum aquaticum) a member of the water-
milfoil family (Halo-ragaceae), an aquatic perennial
has a silvery-gray color in shade, and lime green
colored in full sun. Parrot’s Feather with it’s feathery
texture is a must have for your pond or watergarden.
It softens the edges of the pond and adds oxygen to
the water. When fish are spawning the trailing stems
and roots provide structure for the eggs to cling to
and a wonderful place for baby fry to hide. The stem
and leaves can grow up to a foot above the water
surface, giving the appearance of small fir trees.
Fish are not known to eat Parrot’s Feather.
It can be grown in pots or floating on ponds surface.
Pot Parrot’s Feather with 3-12" of water over the top
of the pot. Can also tuck plants in rock crevices in
steam beds, or water falls where it will take root and
grow out across the pond. Older stems tend to become
less attractive, snip off the tips, and throw back in
the water or push back into planting material.
In a few days it will quickly grow new roots.
Parrot’s Feather can also be used in aquariums. Quick
and easy growing in full to partial sun. Plumes will
grow to about 8 inches tall while the roots will filter
the water. In the evening plants will close up and
drops of water form on plant that sparkle in light.
Hardy from zone 5-11, can winter over indoors put
cuts from plant in a bowl of water with water-soluble
fertilizer located in the sun.
(Myriophyllum aquaticum) a member of the water-
milfoil family (Halo-ragaceae), an aquatic perennial
has a silvery-gray color in shade, and lime green
colored in full sun. Parrot’s Feather with it’s feathery
texture is a must have for your pond or watergarden.
It softens the edges of the pond and adds oxygen to
the water. When fish are spawning the trailing stems
and roots provide structure for the eggs to cling to
and a wonderful place for baby fry to hide. The stem
and leaves can grow up to a foot above the water
surface, giving the appearance of small fir trees.
Fish are not known to eat Parrot’s Feather.
It can be grown in pots or floating on ponds surface.
Pot Parrot’s Feather with 3-12" of water over the top
of the pot. Can also tuck plants in rock crevices in
steam beds, or water falls where it will take root and
grow out across the pond. Older stems tend to become
less attractive, snip off the tips, and throw back in
the water or push back into planting material.
In a few days it will quickly grow new roots.
Parrot’s Feather can also be used in aquariums. Quick
and easy growing in full to partial sun. Plumes will
grow to about 8 inches tall while the roots will filter
the water. In the evening plants will close up and
drops of water form on plant that sparkle in light.
Hardy from zone 5-11, can winter over indoors put
cuts from plant in a bowl of water with water-soluble
fertilizer located in the sun.
Blue Shellflower Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) T Floating water hyacinths have
glossy bulbous leaves on top of spongy leaf stalks.
Orchid-like flowers are on an occasional single spike,
usually a striking blue to purple in color. Blue
Shellflower Water Hyacinth is one of the most beautiful
and popular water plants for ponds and water gardens.
Fish find use of the long stringy roots for protecting
eggs and spawn. These efficient roots help water quality
by filtering out impurities naturally keeping water clear.
Water Hyacinths are delightfully fragrant in bloom. Set
in vases, Hyacinths are ideal for growing indoors. Float
these water plants on the pond surface. Hardy zones 9-10.
*Koi Warning - Koi love to nibble on them and it is one
of their favorite pastimes. Also the dense mat of root
tips serves to protect baby koi.
(Eichhornia crassipes) T Floating water hyacinths have
glossy bulbous leaves on top of spongy leaf stalks.
Orchid-like flowers are on an occasional single spike,
usually a striking blue to purple in color. Blue
Shellflower Water Hyacinth is one of the most beautiful
and popular water plants for ponds and water gardens.
Fish find use of the long stringy roots for protecting
eggs and spawn. These efficient roots help water quality
by filtering out impurities naturally keeping water clear.
Water Hyacinths are delightfully fragrant in bloom. Set
in vases, Hyacinths are ideal for growing indoors. Float
these water plants on the pond surface. Hardy zones 9-10.
*Koi Warning - Koi love to nibble on them and it is one
of their favorite pastimes. Also the dense mat of root
tips serves to protect baby koi.
| FLOATING PLANTS These plants are certainly considered to be the most desirable addition to the water garden as they provide rapid surface cover, shading the pond water and providing a protective place for the fish to escape the mid-day sun. Floating plants use nutrients from the water competing with algae to help keep the pond clear. They do not require planting because their roots actually feed directly from the water. They do this at such a fast rate that it is not unusual for them to cover the surface of the water in as little as a few weeks time. It is this rapid growth and removing nutrients from the water that makes them so important in keeping a healthy, clean and clear water. |
*As most of you experienced water gardener's know,
you NEED to keep Water Hycynth & Lettuce shaded at
first to keep the plants from getting burnt before the
root system starts pumping new fluids to the leaves. If
you burn them from full sun on the first day they will be
stunted and not grow. But once the root system starts
pumping you can put them anywhere you wish. This is
especially important for
** New pond installations need to have nutrients in the
water for floating plants to survive. If your pond is
brand new and doesn't have any nutrients you will
need to add some water soluble fertilizer until the
natural ecology of the pond starts to produce waste.
you NEED to keep Water Hycynth & Lettuce shaded at
first to keep the plants from getting burnt before the
root system starts pumping new fluids to the leaves. If
you burn them from full sun on the first day they will be
stunted and not grow. But once the root system starts
pumping you can put them anywhere you wish. This is
especially important for
** New pond installations need to have nutrients in the
water for floating plants to survive. If your pond is
brand new and doesn't have any nutrients you will
need to add some water soluble fertilizer until the
natural ecology of the pond starts to produce waste.
