Aquatic Plants: Bringing Life to Your Central Oregon Pond
There’s something undeniably calming about the sound of water in a garden. It draws us in—quieting the noise of the world and inviting us to slow down. Here in Central Oregon, where the seasons bring strong contrasts and the landscape tells stories of resilience, adding a water feature to your garden might feel like a small luxury. But with the right plants, it can be both beautiful and practical.
One of our favorite ways to bring life to ponds and water gardens? Aquatic plants.
Hardy Water Lilies: The Heart of the Pond
Topping the list is the hardy water lily (Nymphaea spp.)—a timeless favorite that’s as functional as it is beautiful. These floating perennials bloom from late spring into early fall, opening with the sun and closing in the evening. Their cup-shaped flowers come in dreamy shades of white, yellow, pink, and deep red, floating among broad, leathery pads.
But beyond their beauty, they do some serious ecological work:
Provide shade to reduce algae
Help cool water for fish
Support a healthy pond ecosystem—naturally
Built for Central Oregon’s Climate
Living in a place like Central Oregon, we know a thing or two about adapting to extremes. Hardy water lilies are perfect for our high-desert environment, thriving in USDA zones 3 through 10. Their roots (rhizomes) can survive under the ice as long as they’re planted below the frost line—about 12 to 24 inches deep.
Come spring, they’ll return—year after year—with minimal effort on your part.
Three Types of Aquatic Plants You’ll Want in Your Pond
Hardy water lilies may be the stars, but a well-rounded water garden includes a mix of three plant types:
Floating Plants
Marginal (Bog) Plants
Submerged (Oxygenating) Plants
Each plays a unique role in building a balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem.
1. Floating Plants
Floating plants drift on the surface of your pond, absorbing nutrients directly through their leaves. They help control algae, shade the water, and offer natural cover for fish and frogs.
Floating varieties we carry:
Blue Cloud Lettuce (Limnobium spp.) – Small, ruffled leaves float gently on the surface with soft white blooms.
Eichornia (Water Hyacinth) – Glossy green leaves with lavender flowers. Fast-growing and great for filtering nutrients.
Yellow Snowflake (Nymphoides spp.) – Floating, water lily–like leaves with cheerful yellow, fringed flowers.
Floating plants are tropical and should be treated as annuals or overwintered indoors.
2. Marginal Plants (Bog Plants)
These plants love wet feet but don’t live fully underwater. Planted at the edges or on shelves in shallow zones, they offer color, vertical interest, and filtration.
Marginal varieties we carry:
Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) – Shiny green leaves and bright yellow blooms that float near the surface.
Iris (Iris pseudacorus & hybrids) – Upright foliage with bold flowers in spring.
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) – A pollinator magnet with bright orange blooms.
Caltha polypetala (Marsh Marigold) – Cheerful yellow flowers in early spring.
Carex nigra (Black Sedge) – Graceful grass-like foliage with dark tones for contrast.
Cyperus longus (Sweet Galingale) – Tall, tropical-looking stems with umbrella-like heads.
Equisetum robustum (Giant Horsetail) – Bold and architectural, perfect for dramatic vertical texture.
Juncus (Rushes) – Adds movement and structure to pond edges.
Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides) – Soft blue flowers that trail charmingly over water.
Typha (Cattail) – Classic native with strong vertical growth and iconic seed heads.
Ludwigia (repens or palustris) – Grows submerged or semi-submerged; adds red or green foliage contrast.
3. Submerged Plants (Oxygenators)
These live completely underwater, supporting pond health by producing oxygen and reducing algae through nutrient uptake.
Submerged varieties we carry:
Ludwigia repens (also used as marginal) – A versatile red-stemmed plant often grown submerged.
Limnobium (when rooted or submerged slightly below surface) – Dual-use in containers or shallow ponds.
A Healthy Pond Is a Layered Pond
By combining all three plant types—floating, marginal, and submerged—you’re not just creating a more beautiful space; you’re building a balanced ecosystem. Together, they:
Improve water clarity
Reduce algae naturally
Provide food and shelter for beneficial wildlife
Whether you’re designing a full-size pond, refreshing your irrigation system, or just dipping your toes into water gardening, we’re here to help.
Come See Us!
We carry a curated selection of aquatic plants. From the floating elegance of Blue Cloud lettuce to the hardy roots of native irises, our team can help you build a pond that’s as low-maintenance as it is beautiful.
Whether you're starting from scratch or enhancing an existing water feature, stop by and get inspired. After all, even in the heart of the high desert, beauty finds a way to bloom.