So You want So You want a Water a Water Garden?Garden?

Laurie J. FoxLaurie J. FoxVirginia TechVirginia Tech

Hampton Roads Hampton Roads ARECAREC

Why Do You Why Do You Want One?Want One?

Aesthetically Aesthetically PleasingPleasing

Spiritually Spiritually SoothingSoothing

Wondrously Wondrously FascinatingFascinating

StatisticsStatistics• relaxing

• attracts wildlife

• new plant pallet• increases property

value

ResourcesResources• Books• Internet• Tours• Public

Gardens• Friends

• Clubs

• Associations

• Professionals

• Classes

• Extension

Site Analysis - PondSite Analysis - Pond• Sun or shade

• Size/shape

• Location

• Views

• Slopes

• Theme/design

• Access

• maintenance

• Wildlife

• Restrictions - CBPA, Corps, Nature Conserv.

• You/hire

National Arboretum

Virginia TechHampton Roads

AREC

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Site Analysis - PlantsSite Analysis - Plants• Sun or shade

• Size/area

• Location

• Theme/design

• Maintenance

• Hitchhikers

• Growth rate

• Availability

• Quality

• Hardiness

• Annual/peren.

• Restrictions

LocationLocation

• Submerged

• Floating

•Shoreline, Marginal, Wetland

Myriophyllum spp.

watermilfoil

Egeria densa

Brazilian elodeaElodea canadensisCanadian elodea

Nymphaea spp.

waterlily

Eichhornia crassipes

floating water hyacinth

Pistia stratiotes

water lettuce

Marsilea mutica ‘Varietaga’water clover

Nelumbo lutea

American lotus

Saururus cernuus

lizard’s tail

Acorus calamus

sweet flag

Juncus spp.rushes

Iris spp.water iris

Colcasia spp.taro

Cyperus alternifoliu

sumbrella

palm

Ready to go plants

Azolla caroliniana

Carolina water fern, mosquito fern, fairy

moss

Lemna spp.

common duckweeds

crowded

renovation

Water Garden Weed Garden?

Some ornamental water garden plants are invasive and can cause problems if they get into our natural waterways.

They canobstruct waterways restrict water flow

degrade water qualityinterfere with swimming, boating

& fishing

Water hyacinth

Water lily

Lotus

Water celery

Giant salvinia

Floating heart

AzollaCattailParrotfeather

Salvinia molesta

giant salvinia

Alert!

Alert!