Marginal Plants

(Peltandra virginica) The Arrow Arum is planted from a seed (about the size of a marble). It should be planted in the Spring and will produce a seed ball (about the size of a tennis ball) that will be filled with seed (about the size of a kernel of corn). The seed ball will split open in the Fall and the seed will float on the water. Suggested planting is in the Spring. It can be planted in damp muddy soil to 18 inches of water. It grows in areas of highest light and darkest shade. A perennial that grows in clumps. It has arrow shaped leaves. Grows in moist soils to shallow water. Plants will be one year olds sent bare root. They will likely flower and seed. Flowers look much like a calla lily.

( Ruellia brittoniana )Winter hardy to USDA Zone 8 (maybe Zone 7 with protection and mulch) where it is best grown in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering is in full sun. This is a versatile plant that tolerates an extremely wide range of growing conditions. It thrives as a marginal water plant and in boggy soils, but also does surprisingly well in average garden soils as long as moisture is consistent. It can reach 3 foot but usually stas at about 2 foot tall.Plants tolerate high heat and humidity. New plants may be rooted from stem cuttings. It should be noted that species plants have naturalized in the southeastern U. S., and some Ruellia species are currently listed as Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. In cooler climates plants may be grown as annuals, with stem cuttings overwintered indoors. Sold as single bare root portions with several growing stems.

(Bletilla sp.) Chinese Hardy orchids do well in bright light and normal quality soil, planted three to four inches deep. They are Hardy in USDA zone 5. The bloom profusely in early to mid summer for a decently long periods of time. They do require winter dormancy but in Zones 5-7 A good layer of bark or straw mulch a couple inches deep is helpful. They multiply rapidly growing in full sun. They make a spectacular addition to pond margins as they Like water moisture but a sandy or gritty well draining soil is also important.. well draining but moist soil.. lol These are by far the easiest of all terrestrial orchids to naturalize in your pond area or even standard garden as the pseudo-bulbs can be split yearly and they will also seed themselves easily and profusely in good conditions. These are sold as 2 inch pots with 2 specimens in each. a purple and a whiter variety in each pot growing well with foliage and ready to bloom this year.

(Crinum procerum V splendens ) these are shipped Bareroot but growing.The giant red Crimun lily looks exotic and tropical. The graceful 3-4' long red leaves on this variety of Crinum lily are stunning. The leaves become Burgundy in color in full sun. It flowers with large fragrant heads of pink flowers with pink filaments and anthers. Each flower head will have over a dozen individual flowers. Here in Florida mine flower year round, in cooler climates they will bloom in warm weather. The flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. Red crinum lilies can grow 4'-8' tall in the ground, but will stay smaller when grown in a pot. In colder climates they can be overwintered indoors. They can be grown outdoors in zones 9-11.

(Zephyranthes candida) Dwarf Onions are a great starter onion plant for the aquarium. They can grow about 15 inches tall at best with a number of leaves that look like an onion. They have an onion like bulb as well. Plant them so the bulb is no more than halfway under the substrate. They prefer Medium light or better and some water flow over their leaves is preferred. but not necessary. These can be planted and thrive on ponds edge as well as fully terrestrial. They are often called rain lilies or Zephyr rain lilies when terrestrial. They tend to bloom immediately after a rain if planted completely out of the water. They can reproduce quite well in either situation by developing small "baby" bulbs on the sides of the mother bulbs.