Ponds and marginal areas are really being encouraged in gardens because of the benefit to wildlife. You can also plant up these areas beautifully.
Here at the nursery we have a pond and marginal plant area with many perennials being suitable for wetland.
Ferns
Athyrium species
Dryopteris cristata
Matteuccia orientalis
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Onoclea sensibilis
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)
Thelypteris palustris
Grasses
Acorus calamus Variegatus (Variegated sweet scented rush)
Acorus gram variegatus
Acorus gramineus Ogen
Equisetum japonica
Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf Horsetail)
Glyceria variegata
Juncus spiralis
Phalaris arundinacea (Gardener’s Garter)
Scirpus Cernuus ( Fibre Optic Plant)
I particularly like the candelabra primroses in the perennials that grow in damp conditions.
Perennials
Alisma plantago (Water plantain)
Catha palustris (Marsh marigold)
Catha polypetala
Geum rivale
Gratiola offinalis (Water hyssop)
Hippuris vulgaris (Mares tail)
Hosta
Hosta varieties
Houttuynia cordata
Iris ensata hybrid (Japanese clematis)
Iris Louisiana (American water iris)
Iris pseudacorus
Iris sibirica
Lobela speciosa ‘Princess Crimson’ ‘Tanja’ ‘Fan Deep’ Starship’
Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’
Lobelia siphilitica ‘Alba’
Lychinis Flos Cucuii
Mazus reptan ‘Blue Mazus’
Oenanthe japonica (Variegated Water Dropwort)
Persicara Red Dragon
Pimula bulleesiana (Candelarbra)
Pontederia cordata (Golden Japanese sweet flag)
Primula denticula (Himalayan primrose)
Primula Rosea ( Himalayan cowslip)
Primula viaii (Pagoda primrose)
Rhum palmatum ‘Tangatutum Red’
Rodgersia aesculifolia
Zanteschia aethiopica (Arum Lilly)
Water Butt (Directly in water)
Aponogeton distachyos (Water Hawthorn)
Lobela speciosa
Myriophyllum crispatum (Upright water milfoil)
Nuphar lutea (yellow waterlily)
Trees
Liquidambar styraciflua
Acer palmatum
Shrubs
Cornus alba
Hydrangea paniculata
Phyllostachys (Evergreen bamboo)
