Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata) is a beautiful, aquatic perennial that’s perfect for enhancing your water garden or pond. Known for its stunning violet-blue flowers and lush, heart-shaped leaves, this hardy plant brings both aesthetic and ecological benefits to your aquatic space. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to your garden’s ecosystem.
Why You’ll Love It:
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Beautiful blooms: Violet-blue flowers with yellow centers emerge in late summer, adding vibrant color to ponds and water gardens
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Attracts pollinators: Its flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
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Heart-shaped foliage: The dark green, heart-shaped leaves provide a lovely backdrop to the flowers and offer texture in the water
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Thrives in water: Ideal for planting in shallow water or along the edges of ponds, streams, or marshes
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Hardy and adaptable: Grows in a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and can handle varying water levels
Plant Care Tips:
☀️ Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade
💧 Water: Grows best in shallow water (2-6 inches deep) or in moist, well-drained soil near water
🌱 Soil: Can be grown in loamy or silty soils—ideal for pond edges or wetland areas
🌡 Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making it suitable for most climates
📏 Size: Can reach up to 3-4 feet in height and spread about 2 feet wide, making it a perfect mid-sized aquatic plant
🧰 Maintenance: Minimal maintenance required—cut back dead flower stalks and foliage in the fall to promote fresh growth
