Indoor plants growing in water. Water lily - water lily, nymphaeum, beautiful flower, fabulous Water fragrances for women

Flowers are one of the most beautiful creations of nature. There is a wide variety of species of these plants and each of them is beautiful in its own way. It is known that more than half of the planet's surface is covered with water, so it is not surprising that flowers have mastered this element as well.

Water flowers

Imagine a pond filled with beautiful flowers. This is a magical and mysterious sight. We invite you to see the most beautiful water flowers. Perhaps they will inspire you to create your own pond in the garden and fill it with such charming plants.

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The flower is native to South America. Widely cultivated and planted in artificial reservoirs. It has a lemon color with a red-brown core and round glossy dark green leaves. The water poppy grows well in shallow ponds with still water and needs plenty of sun. The flower grows on the surface of the water by 50 cm and rises to a height of 15 cm. The water poppy produces beautiful lemon-yellow flowers that bloom many times throughout the summer, but only one day.

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This flower grows in wetlands. It is also called duck potato or wapato because it produces tubers that are eaten by the Indians. The perennial plant is easily cultivated, fertilized with manure and requires partial shade. It can grow up to 2 m in length. It has white flowers with yellow stamens. It grows in colonies and blooms from July to September. Ripe tubers can be harvested in early autumn. They can be eaten raw, boiled, fried or stewed. They taste like potatoes we are used to.

Pontederia cordifolia

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A perennial plant that grows in various water bodies, swamps, on the edge of rivers and lakes. The plant rises 60 cm above the water, has long shiny heart-shaped leaves 25 cm long. Purple flowers with yellow markings attract bees and butterflies and bloom from June to October.

water hawthorn

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This attractive flower grows in the depths of rivers and lakes. The flower has an interesting shape and has a pleasant smell of vanilla. It has the shape of a forked ear. The bracts are pinkish white and the stamens are black. The leaves are long, narrow and leathery. Hawthorn grows up to 10 cm tall and covers almost 100 cm of water surface. Blossoms 2 times a year: from mid-spring to mid-summer and in winter. To obtain fragrant flowers, the tubers are left in the soil of the pool for the winter and covered with fallen leaves.

Under natural conditions, the plant lives in the waters of Southeast Asia. This is a good substrate for fish spawning. Its root system is slightly developed, the roots are white, filiform, the leaves are light green. The plant is very unpretentious, can develop as a floating, without rooting. Hygrophila prefers a water temperature of about 27 "C and soil from a mixture of peat, leafy soil, sand and clay. Lighting is undemanding. Propagated by cuttings and ground shoots.

Hygrophila guianensis is also cultivated in the aquarium with narrow-lanceolate green leaves, which, when the shoot reaches the surface, blooms with large white flowers, and willow-leaved hygrophila (Hygrophila salicifolia), with leaves shaped like willow leaves. The growing conditions for all hygrophiles are similar.

PISTIA LAYER, water lettuce (Pjstia stratiotes). Aroid family, common in water bodies of the tropics and subtropics. A perennial herbaceous plant, forming a rosette of leaves, floats on the surface of the water. It has a well-developed root system, consisting of many long white roots, reaching a length of 20 cm. The leaves are obtusely wedge-shaped, long - up to 25 cm and wide. They have a spongy structure with cavities filled with air, thanks to which the plant rests on the surface of the water.

Pistia roots serve as a substrate for spawning fish and a refuge for their fry. It grows well in water of any composition at a temperature of 23 - 27 "C in summer and about 22 C in winter. An aquarium with pistia should be under glass and well lit from above. It blooms in good conditions in summer. The inflorescence is a green blanket and a small cob.

(Shinnersia rivularis). Under natural conditions, it lives in small rocky rivers in Mexico. A very unpretentious plant, it can be planted in the ground, to which it is undemanding, or left floating. When growing a floating form, the leaves of trichocornis become smaller. Can grow in hard and alkaline water. It has a well-developed fibrous root system. The green carved leaves vary greatly in shape and size, depending on the conditions.

Lighting required is moderate to bright. In a low aquarium, the branches of the plant, having reached the surface, come out of the water, so their tops must be pinched. It propagates by basal or lateral shoots from leaf buds.

(Heteranthera zosteraefolia). A floating plant with a poorly developed root system, thin white roots and pale green or green leaves up to 7 cm long. Distributed in slowly flowing and stagnant reservoirs of tropical Africa. Prefers clay soil and soft water with temperatures above 20 "C, as well as bright diffused light.

The plant develops better with a low water level. Propagated by stem and root cuttings. In aquariums, calliform heteranther (Heteranthera callifolia) with blunt-pointed leaves and kidney-shaped heteranther (Heteranthera regiformis) with denser heart-shaped leaves are also cultivated.

(Salvinia auriculata). Homeland - Central America. This very picturesque water fern is a horizontal underwater stem with two rows of oval green leaves located above the water and one row of brown leaves dissected into many long linear leaves and densely covered with hairs growing under water.

Underwater leaves act as roots - they feed the plant. Salvinia thrives well in aquariums with clean, soft water in bright sunlight. The above-water part is very demanding on air humidity, so the aquarium must be covered with glass. REPRODUCES by spores that germinate in water.

(Vallisneria spiralis). The water color family. Homeland - Southern Europe. An inhabitant of shallow freshwater reservoirs, with a short stem and bright green ribbon-like leaves growing upwards. In adult plants, a tubular flower appears above the water in the summer on a spiral pedicel. This is a female specimen, it is fertilized by pollen from male plants, which floats to the surface of the water. Seeds ripen in water.

The most suitable soil is silt, but it also grows well in sand. Vallisneria is propagated by layering that appears on the stem and seeds.

ROTALA INDIAN(Rotala indica). Homeland - tropical Asia. An unpretentious plant with a long stem, on which leaves of various shapes are opposite: underwater - lanceolate, bright green in color and surface - oval, the underside of the leaf is red. The rhizome is creeping, with white adventitious roots and a large number of leaf buds. It develops well in water of any composition, at a temperature not lower than 20 "C.

When reaching the surface of the water, the shoot is pinched for more lush branching. From insufficient illumination, the leaves become smaller and lose their red color. Propagated by stem branches and basal shoots.

(Utricularia gibba). This inhabitant of tropical and subtropical reservoirs belongs to perennial - carnivorous herbs. Grows in water of any composition with overhead lighting. It has no roots, and the plant floats freely near the surface. Narrow small leaves with bubbles are located on thin green stems.

Pemphigus catches prey with the help of bubbles, which also help the plant to stay near the surface. The plant is absolutely not dangerous even for the smallest fry. The plant releases a lot of oxygen, helps purify the water and serves as a refuge for fry.

(Dioneae). Rosyankovye family. Homeland - North and South Carolina. A perennial rhizomatous aquatic plant that lives in sphagnum bogs. The leaves are collected in rosettes, covered with trapping glandular hairs and bristles; plant is insectivorous. It blooms in paniculate inflorescences with white flowers. The plant is propagated by seeds in moist peat.

Seeds germinate slowly over several months. Seedlings also grow slowly. The grown plants are planted in pots with loose peat soil mixed with sphagnum moss and installed in a terrarium or aquarium.

(Elodea denza). The water color family. Homeland - South America. A beautiful, branchy, long-stemmed aquatic plant that thrives well in indoor aquaria.

Green linear leaves are collected 4 in a whorl. It grows continuously, propagating by stem pieces planted under water. The soil is not demanding. Lighting can be bright or moderate.

(Myriophyllum) Homeland - North America. Translated from Greek, myriophyllum means "many leaves" ("myrios" - countless and "phyllon" - leaf). The pinnate leaves have forked leaves dissected into many filiform segments. These are very picturesque plants living in the water. On their bright green multi-branched shoots there are countless thin, delicately cut dark green leaves.

Peristoliths thrive in sandy soil, soft water with a temperature of about 27 "C and bright diffused lighting. Unpretentiousness and rapid growth have made cinnafolia one of the main plants for decorating an aquarium and an excellent substrate for spawning fish. All plants have similar conditions for keeping and breeding .

REPRODUCED by cuttings. Brazilian pintoleaf (Myriophyllum brasiliense) is common in Brazil. It has a fibrous root system and thin roots. At a water temperature of 25 - 27 "C and bright diffused lighting, it develops rapidly.

When reaching the surface, the shoot is pinched for more lush branching. A mixture of peat, leafy soil and sand is suitable as a soil. The plant does not tolerate hard salted water.

Propagated by root shoots and cuttings, which take root at a low water level in clean river sand.

Peristolnstnnk matogrossa (Myriophyl1um mattogrossensis) is common in Brazil. This plant is a good substrate for spawning and an excellent refuge for fry. Repeatedly dissected leaves help purify water and actively saturate it with oxygen.

(Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae family. Homeland - tropical and subtropical regions of Central and North America. A perennial aquatic plant with graceful green dissected leaves that are underwater and whole floating leaves that float on the surface of the water. The root system is poorly developed, the roots are thin.

The stems can reach a length of 1.5 m. It blooms under water with yellow flowers. In an aquarium, they are planted with bushes and placed in the middle ground as a group or in the background as a background. It is necessary to pinch the shoots so that the plant branches better. Kabomba develops well at a water temperature of 20-25 "C and moderate lighting. It propagates by stem cuttings and root shoots in clean river sand. Varieties of this rather unpretentious plant are often cultivated in aquariums.

Cabomba water (Cabomba aquatica) - grows in stagnant slow-flowing reservoirs of South America. The slightly branched stem reaches a length of 2 m. Propagated by stem cuttings.

Cabomba Gardner (Cabomba piauhyensis gardner) grows in the waters of South America and India. Very beautiful plant with leaves of different shades of green and reddish.

Warming's cabomba (Cabomba warmingii), common in the waters of southern Brazil, has thin, fan-shaped leaves. Also popular are the Caroline cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) and the southern cabomba (Cabomba australis).

Chastukh family. Homeland - the southern regions of North America. In Latin, sagitta means "arrow", hence the Russian name. This is a beautiful, very graceful plant with a short tuberous rhizome. The dark green leaves growing in water are pointed at the ends, and the above-water ones, sitting on long petioles, have a lanceolate shape.

It develops well in sandy soil at a water temperature of 25-27 "C, but can withstand a decrease to 16 C. Lighting is required strong or medium (about 10 hours a day). With prolonged sunlight, but diffused - without direct rays, the lighting may bloom. White flowers are collected in inflorescences, towering above the water.In order for the arrowhead to live long in the aquarium, it is recommended to grow only underwater leaves, and remove the above-water leaves and flowers in a timely manner.

Arrowhead includes several dozen species growing along the banks of reservoirs. Cultivation of many species in an aquarium is difficult due to the plant's tendency to form emersed leaves. Despite this, about 10 varieties of arrowhead are used in aquariums. The conditions of keeping and breeding for all types of arrowhead are similar. REPRODUCED by seeds and ground shoots that develop in spring.

(Limnophila aquatica). Widespread in tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Very picturesque, strongly growing aquarium plant, perfectly cleans the water. Limnophila prefers clean, well-lit aquariums, as well as water of medium hardness with a temperature of about 30 ° C.

Upon reaching the surface, the plant forms emersed shoots with dense pinnate leaves. The stem is pinched to the first underwater bud, and the top can be planted in a free place like a regular cutting. Propagated by division of basal shoots or division of the stem. Sessile-flowering limnophila (Limnophila sessilj ilora) is cultivated in aquariums; it is common in stagnant and slowly flowing reservoirs of Southeast Asia and Africa.

It has a powerful root system with thin threadlike roots. It develops well with moderate lighting in water of low and medium hardness at a temperature of about 25 ° C. Limnophila is an excellent refuge for fry, very actively oxygenates the water in the aquarium. Propagated by cuttings. The plant quickly dies under poor conditions.

(Ludwigia) Fireweed family. Homeland - North and South America. Unpretentious marsh plant, grows well in an aquarium in moderate and strong light, unpretentious to temperature changes. Ludwigia arcuata (Ludwigia arcuata) requires a water temperature of up to 28 ° C, develops well in medium light. It grows in a bush, gives a large number of root shoots.

Propagated by division of the stem or root shoots. Marsh Ludwigia (Ludwigia palustris) is common in southern Europe. A very unpretentious, but not too decorative plant, it develops at any water temperature and not very high illumination of the aquarium. It grows as a bush, propagated by dividing the stem or side shoots.

Ludwigia natans (Ludwigia natans) - hybrid form, Unpretentious perennial flowering plant. The root system consists of one lobe of roots. Grows as a bush with many shoots. Propagated by stem cuttings. Ludwigia krasnolistnaya develops well at a water temperature of about 28 ° C and bright light. In low light and low temperature, the leaves become smaller, and the red tint disappears on their lower part.

(Eichornia crassipes). Family Pontederiaceae. Homeland - tropical and subtropical regions of America. This plant is also called "water hyacinth". One of the most beautiful floating, but capricious plants. It is grown in rooms. Perennial herbaceous plants - rhizomatous, the root system is highly developed, fibrous, dark. The roots are ciliated, fragile, serve as a refuge for fry. The underwater stem reaches the surface of the water.

Underwater floating leaves have a linear shape, and immersed in water - oval. Blooms in June-September under favorable conditions. Blue, pink, lilac or purple flowers, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, reach 5 cm in diameter. The plant is warm and photophilous. The water should be soft, and its temperature should not be lower than 22 "C, preferably up to 29" C. Lighting should be bright, in summer a certain amount of sunlight is required.

The plant grows well and develops in silty soil. An aquarium where water hyacinth grows should not be covered with glass. Under good conditions, eichhornia forms many shoots and quickly multiplies with rosettes.

Recently, among gardeners it has become very fashionable to break mini-reservoirs on the territory of their personal plots: ponds, lakes, and other water arteries. It goes without saying that in this case one cannot do without coastal aquatic vegetation, because it is she who is the main decoration of reservoirs. There are many thousands of plant species living in water, but not all of them are suitable for growing in the middle lane. On this page you will learn the names of aquatic flowers and plants of the coastal zone, adapted to our conditions. You can also get acquainted with the description of aquatic plants and see their photos.

Plants of the aquatic environment and the coastal zone of reservoirs

Air (ACORUS). Aroid family.

air (Irny root) (A. calamus)- rhizomatous perennial 50-80 cm high with straight xiphoid leaves. Small greenish cob inflorescences are not interesting.

Variety "Variegatus" the leaves are green with yellowish stripes along the edge (they are pinkish in spring).

Growing conditions. Near water, planting depth 8-20 cm.

Reproduction. The division of the bush (spring).

This coastal plant is used to decorate the banks of reservoirs.

Watch (MENYANTHES). Watch family.

Three-leaf watch (M. trifoliata)- perennial with a thick long branched rhizome, growing in stagnant water, along the swampy banks of rivers and lakes in the temperate zone of Eurasia. Decorative plant give blue-green trifoliate leaves on long petioles. The flowers of this coastal aquatic plant are white-pink, collected in a dense brush.

Growing conditions. Low banks of reservoirs, shallow waters.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer). Planting density -12 pcs. per 1 m2.

Used to decorate ponds.

Mertensia (MERTENSIA). Borage family.

Rhizome perennials, mainly grow along the coasts of the seas in North America and the Far East, and are also found in the middle lane. The leaves are grayish-blue, lanceolate; inflorescence - a curl of bright blue flowers.

Types and varieties:

Mertensia ciliate (M. ciliata)- height 4050 cm.

Mertensia maritime (M. maritima)- 10-15 cm high.

Mertensia virginiana (M. virginica)- 40 cm high.

Growing conditions. Moist poor sandy soils in sunny places.

Reproduction. Seeds (sowing in spring), dividing the bush (in spring). Juveniles, divide and transplant in the 3-4th year. Planting density - 25 pcs. per 1 m2.

Sedge (CAREX). Sedge family.

Perennial rhizomatous herbs with dense, narrow, like cereals, leaves and thin spikelets. Numerous species are widely distributed throughout the world, but only a few of them are used as ornamental plants.

Types and varieties:

Sedge Bukhanana(C. buchananii)- 60 cm high, brownish leaves.

sedge morrow (C. morrowii), grade "Variegata" - 50 cm high.

rusty spotted (C. siderosticta) And hairy (C. pillosa)- forest sedges.

drooping sedge (C. pendula)- up to 100 cm high, semi-aquatic.

Growing conditions. This coastal plant of water bodies is planted in areas with any soil and sufficient moisture. Forest species of sedge prefer shady areas.

Reproduction. Seeds (sowing in spring) and dividing the bush (end of summer). Planting density - 9-12 pcs. per 1 m2.

Cattail (TYPHA). The cattail family.

This is a coastal-aquatic vegetation with a creeping thick rhizome, 100-200 cm high. The leaves at the base of the stem are broadly linear. These are plants growing near water along the banks of rivers and other bodies of water in the temperate zone of Eurasia, often forming thickets.

Types and varieties:

cattail broadleaf (T. latijoiia)- height 100-150 cm; cattail angustifolia (T. angustifolia)- height 100-150 cm.

Growing conditions. Wet shores of reservoirs.

Reproduction. The division of the bush (spring and late summer).

Huttinia (HOUTTUYNIA). Saururidae family.

Huttinia cordate(H. cordata)- A new plant for central Russia, but it is worthy of the difficulties that its cultivation is associated with. The species itself, which came into cultivation from coastal meadows in the south of the Far East, is rarely grown.

Varieties of interest:"Chameleon" - with leaves, along the edge of which white, yellow, red spots are scattered, and "Plena" - with double flowers.

The plant is creeping, quickly forms a thicket 20-50 cm high. It blooms rarely and not abundantly in central Russia.

Growing conditions. Semi-shaded shores of reservoirs with clay soils.

Reproduction. In the spring, a segment of rhizome with a renewal bud. Planting density - 16 pcs. per 1 m2.

Waterwort (HYDROPHYLLUM). A family of aquifers.

Long-rhizome perennials from the humid forests and grasslands of eastern North America with large lobed leaves and a fluffy branched inflorescence of pink-purple flowers. Adapted to Russian conditions, where it lands along the banks of water bodies.

Types and varieties:

Waterwort canadian (H. canadense)- leaf is round-lobed; Waterwort virgin (H. virginianum) - leaf elongated-lobed.

Growing conditions. This coastal plant prefers semi-shaded to shaded areas with moist, rich soils.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud at the end of summer. Planting density - 16 pcs. per 1 m2.

Spleenwort (CHRYSOSPLENIUM). Saxifrage family.

Spleenwort (Ch. alternifolium)- perennial with a fleshy stem, height 5-15 cm, the leaves in the rosette are light green, thickened, round-beam-shaped; inflorescence flat, corymbose, golden-green flowers. They form thickets in damp, shady places.

Growing conditions. Semi-shady places near water bodies, in relief depressions.

Reproduction. Seeds (sowing in autumn), dividing the bush (summer). Weeds on wet soils. Planting density - 36 pcs. per 1 m2.

Use only in areas that mimic natural thickets. Decorative unstable, good only in early spring.

Coastal aquatic vegetation: plants living in the water and on the shore

This section presents photos of aquatic plants with names and descriptions suitable for growing in shallow freshwater bodies and along their banks.

Calla (CALLA). Aroid family.

Marsh calla (C.palustris)- rhizomatous perennial growing along the banks of water bodies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Leaves basal on long petioles, heart-shaped, rounded. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence-cob, covered with a white ovoid veil.

Growing conditions. This light and moisture-loving plant is grown both in the shallow waters of fresh water bodies and along their banks.

Reproduction. Propagated by seeds, sowing in wet soil immediately after harvest. The division of rhizomes is best done at the end of summer. Planting density - 7 pcs. per 1 m2.

Look at the photo: this aquatic plant provides an early spring effect in mixed groups with summer flowering plants; interesting in rockeries, in flower beds, where annuals are then planted.

Sitnik (JUNCUS). Sitnikov family.

Perennial rhizomatous moisture-loving herbs. The leaves are cereal-like, decorative capitate or paniculate inflorescences.

Species and varieties. S. sharp-flowered (J. acutiflorus) - up to 100 cm high, paniculate inflorescence; With. spreading (J. effusus) - up to 150 cm high, inflorescence tufted-paniculate; With. xiphoid (J. ensifolius) - 20-30 cm high, capitate inflorescence, dark brown; With. gray (J. glaucus) - 60-90 cm high, bluish leaves.

Growing conditions. Sunny shores of water bodies at a depth of 0-5 cm.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes in spring or late summer.

Buttercup (RANUNCULUS). Buttercup family.

A large genus, the species of which are widely found everywhere, but only a few of the most decorative perennials are used in culture. Among them there are also aquatic plants, but more often buttercups grow on the banks of water bodies.

Types and varieties:

Water and near-water: L. caustic (R. acris), grade "Multiplex" height 50-70 cm, water depth 0-10 cm.

Buttercup water(R. aquatilis)– water depth 40-100 cm; l. long-leaved(R. lingua)- depth 0-20 cm, variety Grandiflora.

buttercup cappadocian (R. cappadocicus)- from the forests of the Caucasus, stably decorative, forms thickets.

Growing conditions. Water - in reservoirs with stagnant water and in shallow water; l. Cappadocian - in the shade.

Reproduction. The division of the bush (spring). Planting density - 25 pcs. per 1 m2.

Sit (CYPERUS). Sedge family.

Galingale (C. longus)- long-rhizome perennial growing along the banks and in shallow water (up to 20 cm deep) of stagnant and slowly flowing waters. If we talk about which aquatic plants are most common in central Russia, then sytya is mentioned most often. Its tall (60-120 cm) leafy stem rises above the water, carrying an openwork umbrella with long (10-40 cm) "rays" carrying a bunch of small brownish spikelets. Permanently decorative. Forms loose thickets.

Growing conditions. Reservoirs.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer).

Reed (PHRAGMITES). Family bluegrass (cereals).

Common reed (P. communis)- long-rhizome tall grass (150-200 cm), forming thickets along the banks and shallow waters of reservoirs.

Growing conditions. Sunny and semi-shaded areas with wet soils, low banks of water bodies. Also, this plant of the coastal zone can be grown in shallow water.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud (spring, late summer). Planting density - 5 pcs. per 1 m2.

Perennial aquatic flowers and ornamental herbaceous plants

Water flowers and plants are a real decoration of reservoirs. But no less interesting are herbaceous aquatic plants, attracting attention with their rich greenery.

Arrowhead (SAGITTARIA). Chastukh family.

These are aquatic flowers, which are rhizomatous perennials, rooted at a depth of 10-50 cm. The leaf is dark green, shiny, dense. The flowers in the inflorescence are a rare raceme.

Types and varieties:

Arrowhead Broadleaf(S. LatifoLia)- height 50-70 cm, flowers with a yellow center; arrowhead arrowhead (S. sagittifoLia) - height 30-50 cm, flowers with a red center.

Growing conditions. Landing in reservoirs with stagnant or slowly flowing water to a depth of 10-50 cm.

Reproduction. Seeds (sowing in spring in containers, followed by planting in water).

Chastukha (ALISMA).

Perennial aquatic plant with beautiful ribbed leaves on long petioles. Bloom all summer. The flowers are small, with three petals, arranged in whorls.

Types and varieties:

Chastuha plantain (A. plantagoaquatica)- pink flowers; small-flowered chastuha (A. parviflora) - white flowers.

Growing conditions. These plants live in the aquatic environment in the shallow waters of natural reservoirs. Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Reproduction. By dividing the bush (summer) or seeds (spring).

Wetland plants growing near water

Marigold (CALTHA). Buttercup family.

Marsh marigold(C.palustris)- a perennial wetland plant with a short rhizome. Basal leaves are entire, rounded, bright green, shiny. The flowers are bright yellow, as if varnished. Abundant seeding in July-August. More often in gardens, a terry form of this species is grown - marsh marigold "Multiplex".

Growing conditions. Sunny places with clayey, well water-retaining soils.

Reproduction. The division of the bush at the end of summer. The bush grows slowly, so the division is carried out after 6-7 years. Propagated by freshly harvested seeds, they germinate in the next spring, but the seedlings bloom in the 5-6th year. Planting density - 9 pcs. per 1 m2.

An excellent plant for decorating the banks of reservoirs and in flower beds of the "natural garden" type, imitating wet meadows. Here, the marigold is planted along with loosestrife, drooping sedge, highlander cancer neck, bathing suits, etc.

Reeds (SCIRPUS). Sedge family.

Bulrush (S. lacustris)- perennial with a thick creeping rhizome 100-120 cm high, growing along the banks of reservoirs in Europe and North America. Inflorescence paniculate, leaves subulate.

Growing conditions. Wet low places along the banks of reservoirs.

Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring and at the end of summer), by seeds (sowing before winter).

Swamp flower (NYMPHOIDES). Watch family.

Swampweed(N. peltata)- an aquatic perennial with a rhizome, rounded shiny leaves on long petioles and numerous flowers emerging from the leaf axil. The name of this aquatic plant speaks for itself - it prefers exclusively swampy areas.

Growing conditions. Reservoirs with stagnant or slowly flowing water, depth 20-100 cm.

Reproduction. Seeds (in the ground under water), dividing the bush.

Used for decorating ponds.

Floating aquatic flowering and herbaceous plants

Vodokras (HYDROCHARIS). The water color family.

Vodokras ordinary (H.morsusranae)- a floating aquatic plant of stagnant or slowly flowing waters with developed shoots and rounded dense dark green leaves in rosettes on long petioles and white 15-30 cm, flowering - all summer.

Growing conditions. Aquatic plant.

Reproduction. Seeds, rosettes of leaves.

Used in reservoirs.

Water chestnut (TRAPA). Family of water nuts.

common water chestnut (T. natans)- annual aquatic herbaceous plants growing in slowly flowing waters. There are filiform underwater leaves and a beautiful rosette of floating leaves.

Growing conditions. Reservoirs.

Reproduction. Seeds (nuts) in the fall to the bottom of the reservoir.

Used to decorate natural reservoirs.

Eggshell (NUPHAR). The family of water lilies.

Yellow capsule(N. iutea)- perennial aquatic flowering plant with a fleshy underwater rhizome and wide dense leathery leaves above the water. A large waxy flower appears above them in June. The name of these water flowers is quite justified - the flower really resembles a capsule. It is widely distributed in natural water bodies of the temperate zone.

Growing conditions. Ponds, lakes with stagnant or slowly flowing water, at a depth of 30-80 cm.

Reproduction. Seeds (sowing freshly harvested), segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer). Planting density - 12 pcs. per 1 m2.

Water lily (NYMPHAEA). The family of water lilies.

The genus includes about 30 species of aquatic plants growing in water bodies of temperate and tropical zones.

Species and varieties. In the reservoirs of central Russia grows k. white (N. alba) - a rhizomatous perennial with rounded, unequal leaves floating on the surface of the water on long petioles. The leaves are green above, reddish below.

Look at the photo of these water flowers - they are all large, mostly white. They have a pronounced aroma.

There are numerous varieties K. hybrid (N. xhybrida):

"Gladstoniana", "Fire Opal"

"Hollandia", "Rose Arey" and etc.

Growing conditions. These aquatic flowering plants prefer stagnant or slowly flowing water bodies, growing at a depth of 30-100 cm.

Reproduction. Seeds (in autumn to the bottom of the reservoir), segments of rhizomes with a renewal bud (at the end of summer to the soil of the reservoir). Planting density - 12 pcs. per 1 m2.

These ornamental aquatic plants are used to decorate ponds.

Aquatic plants of the coastal zone of the pond, growing in the water and on the shore

Susak (BUTOMUS). Susakov family.

Susak umbrella (B. umbellatus)- grows in water bodies of Europe and Asia. Height 60-100 cm. This is a common aquatic plant of ponds and lakes (reservoirs with stagnant water) with long linear trihedral leaves and a large terminal umbellate inflorescence of pink large flowers.

Growing conditions. This is a plant that grows both in water and on the shore.

Reproduction. Segments of rhizomes in spring and late summer.

Mannik (GLYCERIA). The bluegrass family.

Mannik the largest (G. maxima)- high (70-100 cm) perennial with a long creeping rhizome, forms thickets in coastal waters at a depth of 0-10 cm. The leaves are wide, with white stripes, blooms in July-August. The panicle is spreading. Mannik is a plant that grows in the water of ponds and lakes, as well as in water meadows and near streams.

Growing conditions. Sunny and semi-shaded shores of reservoirs. It is also possible to plant along at a depth of up to 10 cm.

Reproduction. This plant of the coastal zone of the pond and shallow water reproduces by segments of rhizome with a renewal bud at the end of summer.

It is known that 2/3 of the surface of our planet is occupied by water spaces. It is not surprising that there were many representatives of the plant world who have mastered the aquatic environment and possess for this only their inherent biological features.

Strictly speaking, only a small group of plants permanently located in the water column is truly aquatic. Some of them are attached to the bottom with roots (hydrophytes), like elodea (Elodea) or urut (Myriophilum). Others, completely devoid of roots, are in a free-floating state (plestophytes) - hornwort (Ceratophyllum) pemphigus (Utricularia).

Deep water plants absorb nutrients to a greater extent through the stems than through the roots, so the stems are branched and their surface is greatly increased. This is clearly observed in the example of hornwort, uruti, pemphigus.

In some aquatic plants, a distinct dimorphism is observed in the structure of the leaves, underwater and floating do not resemble each other in any way. This difference is well expressed in floating pondweed. (Potamogeton natans) and especially pondweed (Potamogeton gramineus)– their underwater leaves are poorly developed. Needing, like other flora, sunlight, many aquatic plants place their main photosynthetic apparatus - leaves - in a floating state on the surface of the water. At the same time, they take root at the bottom and carry the leaves to the surface of the water on long stems, like a water lily. (Nimpea) or pod (Nuphar) or they swim with the roots, without even touching the ground, such as, for example, frog water (Hydrocharis morsus ranae) or swamp turcha (Butomus umbellatus).

Floating leaves of deep-sea plants have one characteristic feature - the stomata on them are located not on the lower, but on the upper side of the leaf - where they come into contact with air, and not with water (pod, water lily, marsh flower, brazeniya). The leaves themselves are thick, leathery, covered with a waxy layer to protect against an abundance of moisture.

Water lily, or nymphea, is rightfully considered the most luxurious and sophisticated plant for a pond. In addition to several natural species, there is a wide variety of varieties that decorate the water surface with their flowering for two months. The most winter-hardy of them come from the quadrangular water lily, found in our nature to the very Arctic, and hibernate under the ice. Heat-loving varieties obtained with the participation of tropical water lilies, often larger and more interesting in the color of flowers and foliage, need a frost-free room for wintering.

Many aquatic plants used to decorate garden ponds are representatives of the Russian flora - marsh flower, pemphigus, pondweed, rogulnik, salvinia, telorez, turcha, wolfia, duckweed - they are well adapted to our harsh climatic conditions.

The organs of aquatic plants located in an airless environment experience a constant deficiency of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are necessary for life. In this regard, most of them have a loose ventilation tissue (aerenchyma), which compensates for the lack of air exchange. It is present in the thickened petioles of water lilies (Nymphea) and in eichornia (Eichornia) and chilima (Trapa) also acts as a float and promotes their mobility. For the same reason, the stems of many aquatic plants are hollow.

All aquatic plants used today to decorate garden ponds came to us from nature, where they mastered completely different ecological niches - from small puddles and small streams to huge lakes and rivers. Understanding the ecological differences between wet habitats provides the key to successful plant growing, from site selection and soil conditions to care principles.

Artificially created garden ponds, as a rule, have a regulated inflow and outflow of water. In nature, stagnant and flowing water bodies create different conditions for plants. Plants with long stems are not found in large lakes due to the great depth, but they grow in small ponds, regardless of depth.

Large leaves are found in plants that live in stagnant or slow-flowing waters, for example, in the yellow egg (Nuphar lutea) mountaineer amphibian (Polygonum amphibium). In flowing water bodies (rivers, streams, springs), plants must withstand the mechanical loads created by the current, therefore, as a rule, they have medium-sized foliage. Some plants that prefer the cold water of springs do not take root well in heated garden ponds. And underwater plants of streams and springs, where water at the surface has constant contact with air, do not tolerate the oxygen-poor water of stagnant reservoirs.

The most reliable range of aquatic plants for the temperate zone is the native natural flora. Among them is a quadrangular water lily (Nymphaea tetragona), swampweed (Nymphoides peltata), mountaineer amphibian (Polygonum amphibium), floating flyer (Trapa natans) telorez aloevidny (Stratiotes aloides), salvinia floating (Salvinia natans). They alone may be enough to decorate the reservoir.

However, more heat-loving plants can also diversify the flora of a garden pond. When acquiring non-winter-hardy species, you need to think about their wintering. Heat-loving hybrid water lilies are determined in a cool basement, overlaid with sphagnum moss.

Plants such as Salvinia auricle can winter in an aquarium. (Salvinia auriculata), Azolla caroline (Azolla caroliniana), pistia stratus (Pistia stratiotes), eichornia pachypodia (Eichhornia crassipes).

Separately, it is worth mentioning the mini-reservoirs arranged in containers. It is in them that some exotic plants living in aquariums are most often used.

For all those who cannot afford the luxury of having a garden pond, even a miniature pond with 3-5 species of plants will bring a lot of joy and become an interesting garden object.

Photo: Maxim Minin, Rita Brilliantova