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Plant Hardiness

© Marie A. Miczak

Hardiness depends on the severity of the winter and the specific variety of the plant. For instance, some cattails are only hardy through zone four others can be found in the far north. Areas in the same zone often have significant variations in the harshness of winter. This can be due to the proximity of large bodies of water, mountains etc. Most gardeners use the zones as a guideline to what will work for them, but most of us will experiment as well. So do your research, know your garden and choose plants accordingly.
Below is a list of some common water garden plants, listed by hardiness. Remember there are different varieties of some, so check with your nursery for specifics.

• Hardy:
  
• Pickerel Rush to zone 5
• Yellow Iris to zone 4
• Horsetail Rush to zone 3
• Cattail
• Hardy Water Canna to zone 5
• Water Hawthorn to zone 6
• Anacharis to zone 4
• Hornwort to zone 4
• Lizards Tail to zone 4
• Water Clover to zone 4
• Hardy Frog Bit to zone 5
• Hardy Water Lilies most to zone 4
• Floating Yellow Heart to zone 5
  
• Semi Hardy
• Red Water Hibiscus zone 7
• Yellow Snowflake zone 7 or 6 with protection
• Parrots Feather to zone 6
  
• Tropical These should be wintered over in a green house in zones with frost or cold nights.
• Snowflake
• Water Poppy
• Taro
• Floating Mosaic
• Cannas
• Umbrella Palm
• Tropical lilies

Now for a confession. I like to experiment and since in southwestern Mo. We have had several very mild winters, and my pond is in a protected area I have wintered Taro and Red Water Hibiscus in my garden and both have done well. I mulch the bog garden with at least a foot of leaves and cover it with a tarp. I move all of my lilies (Hardy) and the Hibiscus into the deepest area of the pond, and let winter come. To avoid rot, be sure the stems of the Hibiscus remain above the water line.
For more information visit:
The Water Garden
My list of suppliers, most of whom include plenty of information on specific plants.

Still not sure which zone you are in? Virtual Seeds Co. has a good map and some details on the zones. As always
Pond On!,

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