Aquatic plants are a great asset to any garden pond. Not only do they give the pond a more natural appearance, but they can help the pond's biological ecosystem. As is the case with any ecosystem, plants are vital to the overall health of the environment. Pond plants provide the same advantages to the pond as plants do to the world at large: they filter the water, they absorb certain materials and add others and they provide shelter for the denizens of the environment. Plants that grow in and around water offer an incredible kaleidoscope of colors, textures and patterns to please every visitor to the pond.

Floating Pond Plants
Floating plants should be planted as free-rooted floating on the water surface and are great for filling empty space and as a form of decoration. Floating aquatic plant foliage should cover approximately 60% of the pond surface area in order to achieve a good balance. Pond plants will keep the water cool in the summer and help keep algae away. The roots make great spawning media for both fish and frogs. Fish often find refuge in floating aquatics.

Water Lilies
Water lilies are some of the most beautiful and popular pond plants you can purchase for your water garden. From their shape and size, their color and fragrance, or their blooming patterns and growing periods, there is a water lily for every preference and every pond. Besides being pleasing to the eye, water lilies do a great deal to maintain the well-being of the ponds they inhabit. For one, they provide shade to keep the water temperature down during the hot summer months. Their shade also gives shelter to any fish that may be in the pond, a respite from both the sun and any predators that may be lurking nearby. By blocking out a lot of sunlight, the lilies help to keep the algae growth down. And because hardy lilies are a higher plant form than algae, the algae in your pond gets starved off, keeping your pond clean.

Submerged Pond Plants
Submerged plants also known as, oxygenators, are a must have in any pond or water garden for the beneficial qualities they provide to your water garden's ecological system. They compete directly with the algae in your pond for nutrients, keeping your water garden clean and clear. Submerged pond plants do not need soil. It does not matter whether they float rootless beneath the surface of the water or are planted in the ground at the bottom of the water, they need to be underwater to survive. The submerged plants, similar to floating plants, continuously absorb nitrates and phosphates in the water which are the leading nutrients that promote algae growth. They will feed just fine off of the nutrients in your pond water. They also provide great spawning media for your fish, frogs, and snails. Fish will even lay their eggs on them.

Marginal Pond Plants
When choosing plants for ponds, a good variety will almost always include marginal plants. Marginal water plants, as the name suggest grow in shallow water areas around your garden pond. Like other water plants, marginal plants offer excellent natural filtration, while adding a very nice look to your pond. Marginal plants come in hardy and tropical varieties, from tall reeds and rushes to low growing ground cover plants. By using these water plants you can help make your water garden more complete with different heights in your pond plants. All water gardens should have several of these beautiful water plants.