Florida Native Plants To Use When Aquascaping A Pond or Lake

It can take a while to identify plants, especially if you're looking for the ideal plants to plant near your lake or pond. However, once you start identifying the plants you'd prefer, the sooner you'll notice them in different environments so you can narrow down your choices and decorate your pond accordingly.

You should also know the "language" when it comes to plants. It can be overwhelming to have so many choices, since you need to know where to purchase the plants, which plants to select and how you should arrange the plants. Knowing where to start and keeping some rules and recommendations in mind will make it easier for you to choose the ideal aquatic planting options for your lake, even if you're a novice.

Retention Ponds in Florida

Florida native plants are in retention ponds all over the state. Some of these ponds are tended to regularly and others aren't. It's likely to see less dependence on chemical weed and algae control as the economy goes through significant changes, which means some lakes and ponds won't receive consistent maintenance. However, beautiful plants are part of the visual appeal of lakes and are a vital part of the lake ecosystem. Plants aren't only pleasing to the eye, they're also a haven for birds and other forms of wildlife. Fish also live in or around many of these aquatic plants and use them for food.

Here are some aquatic plant choices that will make your pond area look more colorful and welcoming.

Pickerelweed

This plant grows to around four feet tall in shallow water. Normally, you'll only see one or two feet of the plant since the bottom of the pickerelweed is underwater. The leaves are shaped like lace and can develop to be about five inches wide and 10 inches long. Each of the flowers on the pickerelweed only lasts for a day. The flowers have a rich blue color and bloom from March until November.

Pickerelweed grows in marshes, streams, ditches, lakes, marshes and ponds, and can cover large areas. The nectar of the flowers is appealing to several insects, including butterflies and bees. Muskrats and ducks use the plant as food and the leaves and stems are hiding places for fish, reptiles, swimming mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians.

Duck Potato/ Arrowhead

Duck Potato, also known as arrowhead, have tubers that are buried deep into the lake. Ducks eat the seed of this plant. Arrowhead grows heartily in lakes, stream margins, swamps, and ditches. the plant has huge leaves that are shaped like arrowheads and white flowers with three petals. The flowers grow on sturdy stalks that are about a foot above the arrowhead's leaves. Waterfowl and mammals eat the seeds of Duck Potato as well, and the flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Fire Flag/ Alligator Flag

Alligator Flag or Fire Flag can grow to about 9 feet tall from a sturdy rhizome. The plant is common in ditches and lakes and blooms from the summer into the fall season. The fire flag has leaves on long stalks -- the large leaves are one of the distinguishing features of hte plant. Alligator Flags also have tiny purple flowers with three petals. This plant could be a great choice for aquatic planting, since it will brings butterflies into your pond area.

Horse Tail

Horse Tail has been around for centuries and is an evergreen that looks similar to a fern. The plant is about 3 feet and is a rich green with segmented stems. Horse Tail grows in sandy soil and is a food source for mammals and waterfowl. The plant has silicon crystals in its tissue which creates a gritty texture. That's why the plant is also called the "scouring rush."

If you think any of these Florida native plants would work well near your pond or lake, get in touch with Crosscreek Environmental by calling 941-479-7811 or emailing admin@crosscreekenv.com. You can also fill out a Pricing Request Form for more information how to add these plants to your landscape.