If you choose to build a BioNova SwimPond™ with an accompanying regeneration zone, its a necessity to place some aquatic plants for natural swimming pools in the water. These plants will act as your biological filtration to produce natural, living water. Think about these 5 aquatic plans for a natural swimming pool if you want to add some beauty and variety among the ripples as you swim.
Exotic Flair with an Iris
Iris is a genus of several hundred species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the rainbow’s Greek goddess, Iris. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also widely used as a common name for all its related species.
Shocks of Color with a Cardinal Flower
The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to four feet tall. It is found in wet places that include rivers and streambanks. The flowers are usually vibrant red, have five arching petals that can grow up to 2 inches across. These petals are produced on tall spikes from the summer to the fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to add a pollinator-friendly vibe to your aquatic wonderland.
Subtle but Sweet Forget-Me-Not
The water forget-me-not (Myosotis scirpioides) grows straight upward and bears small flowers that start pink as buds, but become blue when fully open. The center of the pistil is yellow with white veins streaked throughout. Its long style distinguishes the plant. This is a great plant for tucking into streams and waterfalls to fill in small gaps with bits of color. You can easily remove the sediment trapped by the shallow roots through pruning.
Add Height with Pickerel Rush
Pickerel rush (Pontederia cordata) are suitable for nearly every pond. The purple flowers have yellow markings, which may assist in attracting bees for pollination. As Native American cultures have demonstrated, the seeds can be eaten like nuts, and the young leaf-stalks cooked as greens. This plant blooms throughout the summer with tall spikes and broad leaves that sway in the breezes.
Distinctive Shapes with Arrow Arum
Arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) has an elegant and attractive design. Although Arrow Arum lacks flowers and buds it provides a rigid structure. It is striking enough to stand alone or can be planted in large quantities. Also, the plant is unpalatable when eaten raw. However, Native Americans used most parts of the plant for food, cooking it for hours first to make it safe to eat. It also has use beyond being an ornamental plant or used to stabilize sediments in small water bodies.
Let Your Imagination Free: Aquatic Plants for a Natural Swimming Pool
These are just a handful of examples of aquatic plants for natural swimming pools. BioNova aquatic plant specialists can provide guidance for choosing the best plants for your climate; native plants tend to have the hardiness for withstanding regional temperature ranges. Whatever you choose, you’ll have an ecologically-friendly waterscape in your backyard you can be proud to swim in and show off!
