Quiet ponds and wetlands are ideal growing spots for low-maintenance and easy-to-growpickerel weed(Pontederia cordata).
The 6-inch-long flowers, which bloom from the bottom up, decorate the plant nonstop from summer through fall.
Pickerel weed is pretty, but it is also practical.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Whats more, pickerel weed is an emergent plant.
These stems and leaves provide necessary shelter for fish and other aquatic animals.
Before planting, loosen the soil in the area you wish to plant and soak your pickerel weed.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
If you are planting more than one pickerel weed plant, place them about 4 feet apart.
Light
Pickerel weed is an adaptive and tolerant plant, but it can’t handle full shade.
It grows best in full sun and only occasional shade.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
It is not drought-tolerant.
Pickerel weed also prefers a boggy climate and can tolerate high levels of humidity.
Fertilizer
Pickerel weed does not require fertilizationespecially when grown in nutrient-rich soil.
Credit: John Noltner
Pruning
Pickerel weed is a low-maintenance plant and rarely needs pruning.
see to it it is water-tight and at least 6 inches deep.
Choose a sunny location and line the bottom of the container with bricks.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
This is best done in early spring.
you could replant the divided sections into separate containers or discard the ones you don’t want.
Pests and Problems
Pickerel weed is not prone to serious pest or disease issues.
Simply dig up and divide the rhizomes in late winter or early spring.
Replant the divided sections at least 4 feet apart.
It is slightly more shade-tolerant than common pickerel weed.
Good plant partners for deep water includewater lilyandlotus.
Swamp milkweed grows about 4-6 feet tall in zones 3-8 and can handle a variety of soil types.
Marsh Marigold
For a colorful addition to the understory of pickerel weed, considermarsh marigold.
It grows about 8 to 12 inches tall in zones 3-7.
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower(Lobelia cardinalis) is hardy in zones 2-8.
Pickerel weed and water hyacinth are frequently comparedbut usually as a cautionary tale.
Both are aquatic plants and members of the Pontederiaceae family.
Both bear purple flowers on stalks atop wide blue-green leaves.
Unlike pickerel weed, water hyacinth can sustain itself on the surface of the water.
