Aquatic Biologists, Inc. : Aquatic Plants

Aquatic Plants/Waterscaping
Aquatic plants are used to enhance the beauty of lakes and ponds as well as provide habitat for other forms of aquatic life. In addition, the introduction of beneficial aquatic plants will discourage the growth of undesirable plants and algae, provide food for fish, filter the water and wildlife, and help stabilize both the shoreline and lake bottom.
At ABI, we recognize two general categories of aquatic plants. Shoreline plants, can be used for preventing erosion as well as providing beauty and wildlife habitat. Submerged plants provide habitat for fish, wildlife and other organisms, but predominantly are used to discourage the growth of undesirable species of aquatic plants and algae. Both categories are used to help assimilate nutrients which are very beneficial to lakes and ponds.
Aquatic plants are usually introduced during the spring. ABI has a wide selection to chose from.
Aquatic plants generally fall into two categories . . . the plants that you like and the plants that you'd like to get rid of!

AQUATIC PLANTS

Arrow Arum is a perennial that grows in clumps, in moist soils and shallow water. It produces small berry sized kernals that are nutritional for ducks. Arrow Arum flowers from May-July and grows 1' to 2' high.

Both the blue and yellow Water Iris have very ornamental seasonal flowers and are used for shoreline borders on ponds, lakes, and streams. Water iris are used for beautification but have the added benefit of providing excellent shorline soil stabilization and wave buffer zones for erosion protection. Water Iris also provide habitat for waterfowl, birds, and animals.

Water Iris prefer wet marshy areas, but does well on most bank areas as long as there is sufficient water. Plants are able to withstand short periods of drought. Both iris and sweet flag grow with part of their corm, or heavy root stock, uncovered - the same as garden iris. Water iris should be planted during cool periods whenever possible.

White and Yellow Water Lilies have thick tubers which sprout leaves and ornamental flowers that float to the surface on narrow stems. Both types grow best in shallow, sheltered areas of 1 to 4 feet of water, with soft sediment bottoms. The white lily prefers shallower waters than the yellow. Water lilies are planted as habitat areas for fish which are attracted to the cover and the insects the plants provide. They are also very ornamental and grow a large white or yellow flower which can make shallow open water more attractive.

Water Arum (Calla Palustris)
This plant produces a white flower with glossy, oblong, heart-shaped green leaves. In late summer into the fall it produces a cluster of red berries. Plant prefers cool, boggy wetland and pond edges. Stems creep or float and the height at maturity is 12"-18". Plant in full shade.

Large-leaved Pondweed is a submerged plant consisting of a thick, durable stem with oblong leaves up to 8 inches long. It grows in clear water up to 20 feet deep, but most often is found in depths of 3 to 12 feet. In late summer the plant will rise to the surface and grows a short seed spike several inches above the surface. This plant provides excellent habitat for fish which feed off of insects found among its leaves. It also provides excellent cover when planted in deeper areas near drop offs.

Wild Celery

is a predominantly submerged plant which grows narrow succulent leaves from 1 to 7 feet in length. Toward the end of summer the leaves emerge and lay flat on the surface. The plant can be identified at this time by the spring-like stem holding the submerged seed head. Wild celery grows best in shallow open water areas with full sunlight where it can take root in soft bottom sediment. Wild celery provides an excellent source of food for waterfowl and fish. Both will feed on the aquatic insects attracted to its leaves. Waterfowl will feed on all parts of the plant. Additionally, wild celery provides excellent cover for fish.

Planting is done is two ways. The seeds are used in spring and fall when available, or weighted tubers can be broadcast onto potential beds during summer months. Both methods will provide good growth by the following fall if waterfowl can be discouraged from eating new plants. On its own, wild celery roots reproduce by runners, creating the larger beds most suitable for fish cover.

Bur-reeds

are distinguished by their gracful grass-like leaves, zigzag flower stems, and round, spiny seed heads arranged like beads on a string. The long slender stems resemble cat-tails, but are not as tall. This attractive shallow water plant grows from tubers which are planted in spring or summer. It is used to stabilize shorelines and acts as a natural filter to water entering a pond or lake. Bur-reed grows 3 to 4 feet tall and provides habitat for birds and animals.

Many other grasses, sedges, and wildflowers are available in seed, root stock or planting. Contact Us

The Pickerel Plant is excellent for fish and waterfowl cover and as a food source. Large arrowhead leaves are dark green and glossy with purple flowers grown on tall spikes. Mature plants grow up to 4". Very ornamental. Can plant in 1 to 12" of water. They do well in partial shade. Seeds are eaten by waterfowl.

Arrowheads,

also known as duck potato, grow two to three feet tall, depending on the amount of nutrients available. This is an excellent ornamental plant that provides good shoreline erosion protection, as well as being an excellent food source for ducks, other birds, and animals.

We use this plant for shoreline protection but also for filtering water with high amounts of nutrients. It is one of the best plants for this purpose because of its sturdy nature and its ability to utilize both phosphorus and potash from the water.

This plant is very hard and will grow well in most any inland waters except for those which are very alkaline or are high in salts. It does best in a fairly rich soil on damp lowlands, mudflats, or in water up to 1 ½ feet in depth. Arrowheads tolerate drought and fluctuating water levels.

Arrowheads propagate largely by tubers which may be planted in spring, summer, or later as long as there are at least 120 days of frost free growing weather. It makes permanent patches by reproducing year after year.

The tubers of the arrowhead (duck potato) are easily planted. Place each tuber about a foot apart and about 1 to 2 inches deep into the bottom sediment.

Rushes Rushes

grow best along shore lines with firmer sediments like clay, sand, or gravel. Spike rush grow best in shallow water, just off shore. Bulrush will grow in water up to 3 feet deep. Rushes extend above the water from 1 to 8 feet depending on the variety. They consist of mainly thin, stiff stems rising from a dense root cluster, and have small seed nodules either along the stem or at the end.

The dense roots of rushes provide excellent shoreline stabilization. The plants as a whole are durable, attractive, and provide good shallow water cover for waterfowl, birds and fish.

Rushes are planted using root stock which are embedded in desirable areas and allowed to grow into dense stands.

Chara
is typically found in clear, hard water. Lacking true stems and leaves, chara is actually an algae. Unlike rooted plants, chara receives its nutrients from the water column. this makes it an idea competitor for available nutrients that undesirable algae require. Once established, chara can help to reduce turbidity that is caused by suspended particles and planktonic algae. Chara is sold by the bushrel and is planted by simply throwing it in the water. It will grow in any part of the pond that receives sunlight.

Coontail receives its name from the bushy ends that resemble a racoon's tail. Like chara it does not have true roots. It's a good plant for reducing problematic algae as it takes in phosphorus from the water. Coontail is a great addition to a pond or lake, but needs to be managed so it does not become excessive.