Tip
Of The Month: 10 Cold Hardy Plants Make Winter Carefree.
Survive winter's chill with 10 of the best cold-hardy
plants.
Water
Lilies
(Nymphaeaceae)
The water lily family is broad and diverse, but the best of breed for northern
gardens are the hardy species and hybrids. Of the three types of hardy lilies
- odoratas, tuberosas and the marliacs - marliac type hybrids generally perform
best in the confines of a garden. For ease of care and dependable growth,
hardy lilies are best.
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Lotus
(Nelumbo Lutea)
The american lotus is very hardy ( to USDA Zone 4, or 30 to 20 degrees F)
and can be found in many natural ponds and lakes, but it's the fancy hybrids
that are the show stoppers. "Hindu", "Empress", and "Momo Batan" are great
choices. General care is similar to the hardy water
lilies.
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Water
Iris
(Iris Laevigata)
Water Iris is very popular in all parts of the country and for good reason.
Their colorful blooms command attention from spring into summer, and the
are available in a rainbow of colors, to suit every taste and scheme. Water
Irises are versatile growers, from the water's edge well into the deeper
parts of the pond. They grow in wet or submerged
conditions.
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Horsetail
Rush
(Hyemale Equisetum)
Horsetail Rush is a hardy upright grower for pond margins or nearby containers.
This versatile and durable Zone 3 (-40 to -30 Degree F) plant tolerates moist
or submerged soil. Stiff-looking, upright stems are surprisingly soft and
hollow.
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Arrowhead
(Sagittaria
Latifolia)
Arrowhead Plant steals the show with its bold foliage shape. Occasional white
flowers in summer are a bonus. As a vigorous Zone 4 (-30 to -20 Degree F)
grower, Arrowhead is popular with first-time water gardeners. Allow room
for it to grow; otherwise, thi splant is care-free.
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Eastern Mosquito
Fern
-
"Azolla" (Azolla Caroliniana)
Simply known as Azolla; it is the ubiquitous water-gardening "ground cover",
covering the surface of the water in summer. its lacy look and feel blends
well with any plant in the pond. If it spreads too quickly, remove some with
a net or rake. It usually tolerates typical Zone 4 (-30 to -20 Degree F)
winters without any fuss.
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Pickerelweed
(Pontederia
Cordata)
Pickerelweed is another popular aquatic plant from coast to coast. Carefree
growth, boldly upright foliage and lavendar blooms in summer make this Zone
4 (-30 to -20 Degree F) plant a sure bet for northern
ponders.
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Water
Mint
(Mentha Aquatica)
Water mint is a shallow water bloomer with very fragrant summer blooms.
This vigorous Zone 4 (-30 to -20 Degree F) plant is care-free other than
an occasional thinning.
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Lizards
Tail
(Saururus Cernuus)
Lizard's Tail is found in virtually every water-gardening nursery in the
country. it's compact upright growth is topped by slender, white, spike-like
blooms in summer. As a hardy Zone 4 (-30 to -20 Degree F) plant, it serves
the marginal areas of the pond well.
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Marsh
Marigold
(Caltha Palustris)
Marsh Marigold our native harbinger of spring for water gardeners. Bright
yellow blooms appear in early spring on this hardy Zone 4 (-30 to -20 Degree
F) plant. This is one of the few natives that is easy to grow in their home
landscape.
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