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Design a Cold Climate Pond

You can grow a beautiful water garden even if you live in a cold climate. 
Before getting started, identify the growing zone where you live.  Below is a list of lovely pond plants that will thrive in cold zones 3-7. Remember, colder zone plants (such as zone 3-4) will grow great in zone 7, but hotter zone plants (such as zone 7) will not survive growing in colder zone 4.  All plants listed below can be Special Ordered.

See plant listings by zone  | Gardening in Alaska |  Gardening in Nebraska  |  Hoop House Winterizing

Growing in Subfreezing Temperatures
You can grow a water garden even if your climate zone experiences subfreezing winter temperatures; such as 10°-20° Fahrenheit, zones 3-7. The growing season can be short and in some areas is only 2-3 months out of each year.  Click the links on the left to see pics of cold climate pond plants.

Here are some helpful tips to help extend your garden growth and to help you get started... 

 

Think Shelter
Location is the primary concern.  Build your pond and greenhouse with the following in mind...

Build near an electrical source, water source, and in an area that has easy access for maintenance

Build in a sunny south facing location

Build near a windbreak, such as the side of a house or a fence. Bamboo trees make a beautiful natural wind break, however they do shed a ton of leaves which will dirty the pond water.

Water Depth The pond should be at least 18-24 inches deep. In subfreezing climates a deeper pond might be necessary
Suggested Pond Plants for Zone 3-6

Anacharis is needed as the foundation of the pond.  Planted under the surface of the water, anacharis oxygenates and clarifies the water.  It is also a source of nutrition for fish during the long winter months. Full or Partial Sun. Zone 3

 Water Hawthorne is the first flower to bloom in the springtime. This is a cold loving plant and its flowers are known for breaking through the ice before the winter thaw. Full or Partial Sun. Zone 6
   
Aztec Arrowhead is attractive with and without its flowers. Blooms in the later summer months. Its spade shaped leaves are twice as wide as the common water arrowhead plant. Full Sun. Zone 5. Hardy Water Lily will come back each year and will grow through the late spring and all summer long. Will go dormant in winter and come back again in the springtime. Fertilize well in the growing season. Full Sun. Zone 3-4.
   
Variegated 4-Leaf Water Clover is from the fern family. The clover leaves float on the surface of the water and stand up straight up to 5" tall. Full to Partial Sun. Zone 6. Red Stemmed Parrot Feather is similar to the common parrot feather.  It is more petite and has the distinctive red stem. A partial sun-shade loving plant. Grows like a tiny forest on the water. Zone 6
   
Water Iris Any type of iris can be grown as water iris.  Slowly acclimate your iris to your pond and soon you will have water iris. Don't get the lily plant confused with the tulip. Iris grows with tubers and tulips grow with bulbs. Grow in the pond or next to the pond. Full to Partial Sun. Zone 3 Mini Cattail Every pond needs cattail and the mini cattail is perfect for the small pond or container garden. The leaves are thin like the common rush. The cattail tops or bulbs are cute and round. If grown in a shady area the bulbs will grow elongated. Grows to 3 feet tall.Full Sun to Partial Sun. Zone 3
   
Pickerel Rush has a tropical look and yet it is a cold climate plant.  As with most cold climate pond plants, it will go dormant in the winter and they come back again in the warm springtime weather. Grows tall to 24" and is a prolific grower. Easy care.  Full Sun. Zone 6 Water Mint is a sweet little blooming plant. It also serves 2 purposes.  Water mint helps to ward off harmful snails in the garden and also eliminates any pungent smell from the pond. Zone 5. Full to Partial Sun.
     How to Winter Over my Plants Indoors?

The first thing to do is to find your planting hardy zone at the top of the page.  Plants zoned for your area should not necessarily need to be wintered over indoors.  But, if there are some plants you desire that are a warmer climate plant, there are a few things that you can do. 

Smaller grass-like plants (such as water clover) can be easily wintered over indoors in a sunny window.  I prefer to grow mine in a large fish aquarium set up just for plants. 

Plants with tubers (such as canna, cattail, and iris) can be cut back.  Keep the potted plants in a storage area, such as a garage, where it will not freeze.

Lily-Like Plants (such as water snowflake and water poppy) will go dormant, but need to be submerged and stored in an area such as a garage where the water will not freeze.
 Cold Climate Pond Plants     Click on links below to view pictures                             

  Zone 7

Zone 6

  Zone 5

   Zone 5 (cont.)

 

  Zone 4

  Zone 3