Hardy Marginal Plants

Arrowhead
(Sagittaria latifolia)
Three petalled white flowers on spikes. Blooms spring/summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 24-36"
Depth 2"  
Zone 3

Black Gamecock Iris
(Iris louisiana 'black gamecock')
Velvety 4" blooms are intense purple black with a striking band of yellow. Blooms late spring till early summer. Vigorous deep green leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"
Depth 0-4"
Zone 4

Blue Rush
(Juncus glaucus)
Attractive, sturdy greenish blue foliage.
Full Sun
Height 12-18"  
Depth 0-2"  
Zone 5

Blue Water Iris
(Iris versicolor)
Elegant blue blossoms. Flowers early spring. Sword shaped leaf.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 24-36"  
Depth 0-6"  
Zone 3

Bogbean
(Menyanthes trifoliata)
Pinkish white flowers. Blooms early spring. Creeping spread.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 6-9"
Depth 0-6"  
Zone 4

Bulrush
(Scirpus lacustris)
Green cylindrical leaves produce light brown seed heads.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-60"
Depth 6"
Zone 3

Cattail
(Typha latifolia)
Tall, vertical foliage. Brown catkins in late summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 60-84"
Depth 0-12"
Zone 3

Corkscrew Rush
(Juncus effusus 'spiralis')
Unusual coiled green foliage. Used in flower arrangements.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun  
Height 18-24"  
Depth 0"  
Zone 5

Dwarf Cattail
(Typha laxmanni)
Vertical green foliage. Plump catkins in late summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"  
Depth 0-6"  
Zone 3

Floating Heart
(Nymphoides peltata)
Bright yellow flowers. Small lily-like leaves. Blooms spring to fall.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 0"
Depth 6-10"
Zone 5

Flowering Rush
(Butomus umbellatus)
Clusters of pink blooms. Flowers early summer. Reddish-green leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 30-36"  
Depth 2"  
Zone 3

Gold Strike Rush
(Juncus effusus 'Gold Strike')
Dark green with vertical golden stripe.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 18-24"  
Depth 0-2"  
Zone 5

Golden Creeping Buttercup
(Ranunculus repens)
Silvery golden foliage. Yellow flowers.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 4"
Depth 0"
Zone 5

Golden Creeping Jenny
(Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea')
Groundcover, golden leaves and yellow flowers.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 3"
Depth 0"
Zone 5-6

Graceful Cattail
(Typha angustifolia)
Tall, slender leaves. Narrow brown catkins in late summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun 
Height 72-96"  
Depth 0-6"  
Zone 3

Hardy Water Thalia
(Thalia dealbata)
Spikes of tiny purple flowers in late summer. Bold blue-green leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"
Depth 0-6"
Zone 5-6

Horsetail
(Equisetum hyemale)
Leafless green stems. Distinctive brown joints. Brownish flower cone.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 24-36"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4

Houttuynia 'Chameleon'
(Houttuynia cordata variegata)
Variegated red, cream and green groundcover.

Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 12"
Depth 0"
Zone 6

Leatherleaf Sedge
(Carex buchanani)
Coppery bronze leaves grow in dense clumps.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 18-24"
Depth 0"
Zone 6

Lizard's Tail
(Saururus cernuus)
White fragrant flower heads in summer. Heart shaped leaves.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 24-36"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4

Marsh Marigold
(Caltha palustris)
First to bloom in spring. Buttercup yellow clusters.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 8-12"
Depth 0"
Zone 4

Mentha Aquatica
(Mentha aquatica)
Lavender-pink flowers. Blooms late summer. Very aromatic foliage.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 8-12"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 5

Micro-Mini Horsetail
(Equisetum scirpoides)
Leafless green stems. Distinct brown joints. Brownish flower cone.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 5-6"
Depth 0"
Zone 4

Miniature Cattail
(Typha minima)
A tiny cattail that grows only 12-18" in height and produces petite, round, dark brown catkins. The narrow leaves have a bluish green tinge.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 12-18"
Depth 0-3"
Zone 4

Needle Rush
(Eleocharis montevidensis)
Dense tufts of quill-like leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 8-12"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 5

Pickerel Rush
(Pontederia cordata)
Clusters of blue flowers held above the lance shaped green leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 24-36"
Depth 2-6"
Zone 4

Ribbon Grass
(Phalaris arundinacea sp)
Striped green and white foliage. Does well wet or dry.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 18-24"
Depth 0"
Zone 4

Sagittaria Lorata
(Sagittaria lorata)
Spikes of tiny white flowers in summer. Narrow green leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 12-18"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4

Spearwort
(Ranunculus lingua grandiflora)
Buttercup yellow blooms. Blooms all summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 24-36"
Depth 2-6"
Zone 4

Sweet Flag
(Acorus calamus)
Green sword shaped leaves, aromatic when crushed.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 24-36"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4

Variegated Sweet Flag
(Acorus calamus variegatus)
Sword-like foliage lined with white. Striking.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 24-36"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4

Variegated Water Celery
(Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo')
Pink, green, white leaf. Excellent natural filter.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 12-18"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 5

Water Cress
(Radicula nasturtium aquaticum)
Edible dark green leaves. Prefers moving water.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 6-9"
Depth 0-2"
Zone 4-5

Water Forget-Me-Not
(Myosotis scorpioides)
Dainty blue flowers. Blooms spring to fall. Clip for regular bloom.
Full Sun       Partial Shade
Height 6-9"
Depth 0"
Zone 4

Water Plantain
(Alisma plantago aquatica)
Pinkish white flowers on tall stems in summer.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 24-36"
Depth 2-6"
Zone 5

White Rush
(Scirpus albescens)
Vertical green/white stripes. Maintains colour throughout the season.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"
Depth 2-6"
Zone 5

Yellow Water Iris
( Iris pseudacorus)
Large yellow flowers. Blooms in early spring. Sword shaped leaves.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"
Depth 2"
Zone 4

Zebra Rush
(Scirpus tabernaemontani zebrinus)
Horizontal bands of green and white.
Full Sun       3/4 Sun
Height 36-48"
Depth 2-6"
Zone 4-5