Growing Bog Plants

Bog plants should be planted similarly to marginal plants in individual containers of approximately one to three-gallon capacity. Some bog plants are grown in two-inch net pots, and it is recommended that you plant without removing these net pots so as not to damage the roots. Fill the pot half full with rich garden soil and use one tablet for one-gallon size pots and two tablets for two or three-gallon size pots; then continue to fill the pot with soil to about two inches from the top. Bog plants should be lowered to a depth of only one to three inches. They love moisture and are usually found at the water’s edge. Happy Aquascaping!

Plant Spotlight: Lily Alba

White water lilies

Lily Alba (Nymphaea Alba) or—more commonly—white water lily, is the name of this week’s plant spotlight! Its beautiful white petals and canary yellow centers add a neutral yet bright pop to any pond or aquascape. These floating florals bloom between June and September and thrive in up to five feet of water. White water lilies prefer large ponds or lakes where they can spread out to up to five feet per plant with blooms of up to 12 inches in diameter. Lily Alba prefers several hours of direct sunlight per day and can be planted like other tropical lilies, described here. Planting tip: add a few goldfish to your pond to keep away most insect pests and minimize mosquitos! Shop Lily Alba online in-store!

Growing Hardy Water Lilies

This blue water lily is an example of a hardy lily.

Hardy lilies are planted similarly to tropical lilies. Hardies grow horizontally across the aquascape, so a wide pot is necessary for planting. Plant at one edge of the container with the rhizome at a 45-degree angle and the growing tip exposed. Remember to add fertilizer, use rich garden soil, and top the soil with an inch or two of gravel or sand. The plant can be lowered to a depth of six inches, to begin with, and then lowered to a depth of 12 to 18 inches as the plant grows. Hardies should be planted in early spring. They bloom from June through September, depending on the weather, and become dormant during the colder months. As the following spring approaches, growth will begin again. For questions on growing your lilies or any other water plant, contact us here. Happy Aquascaping!

Plant Spotlight: Water Poppy

Water Poppy

Water poppy is a floating perennial aquatic plant. Their bright yellow blooms add a burst of color to ponds and other aquatic environments, and they grow easily in warm temperatures. To add water poppies to your pond or aquascape, select a location that receives direct sun, as this is required for the plant to thrive. Bare root water poppy floating plants can be submerged and planted directly into the soil or be placed into pots with soil that can be sunk into the pond. Water poppies can be grown in any pond with a shallow bottom, as they grow best when submerged about six inches below the surface of the water. Though the yellow blooms only last for one day, water poppies produce flowers continually as long as the water temperature stays at 70 degrees or higher.