Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris)

Marsh Woundwort | Stachys palustris

Tall native pond plant with vibrant purple flowers and exceptional wildlife value

Marsh Woundwort, scientifically known as Stachys palustris, is a striking UK native marginal plant that brings both height and ecological value to larger ponds, lakes, and natural wetland areas. Known for its tall spikes of vibrant purple pink flowers, this robust perennial creates a bold vertical feature while also supporting a wide range of wildlife, particularly bumblebees and other pollinators.

Flowering from June through to September, Marsh Woundwort produces dense clusters of tubular flowers arranged along upright stems. These blooms are rich in nectar, making them a favourite feeding source for bumblebees during the peak summer months. If your goal is to create a wildlife friendly pond, this is one of the most beneficial plants you can include.

The plant itself can reach heights of up to 1.2 metres, making it ideal for larger ponds or naturalistic planting schemes where space allows it to establish freely. Its tall, upright growth habit adds strong structure to pond edges, helping to create a layered planting effect when combined with lower growing marginal species.

Its lance shaped green leaves have a slightly soft, hairy texture, adding subtle interest even when the plant is not in flower. Below the surface, its rhizomatous root system helps stabilise soil, reducing erosion around pond margins and creating a more secure habitat for amphibians and aquatic life.

Marsh Woundwort thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and shallow water, making it perfectly suited to pond margins and bog gardens. It performs best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. As a hardy UK native, it is well adapted to local conditions and will return year after year with minimal maintenance.

Due to its vigorous nature and taller growth, it is best suited to larger ponds, lakes, and natural landscaping projects rather than small garden ponds. When given space to grow, it will create a natural, wild appearance that enhances both the visual appeal and biodiversity of your pond.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Highly attractive to bumblebees and pollinators
• Tall flower spikes create strong vertical structure
• UK native plant supporting biodiversity
• Ideal for wildlife ponds and natural planting schemes
• Helps stabilise pond edges and prevent erosion
• Long flowering period through summer

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Reasons to Buy

• One of the best pond plants for supporting pollinators
• Perfect for larger ponds and lakes
• Adds height, colour, and natural movement
• Low maintenance and fully hardy in the UK
• Excellent for creating a natural wildlife habitat

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Care Instructions

• Plant on a marginal shelf or directly into moist soil at the pond edge, ensuring shallow water coverage where appropriate.
• Position in full sun for best flowering, although partial shade is tolerated.
• Allow space for the plant to grow and establish naturally.
• Trim back spent flower stems after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance.
• Divide clumps every few years in spring if needed to control spread and encourage healthy growth.

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Flowering Period

June to September

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Marsh Woundwort will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• Pack of 3 × 9cm Pots
• 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
• Pack of 3 × 1 Litre Baskets – each usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square
• 3 Litre Hexagonal Basket – 18 × 18 × 16cm

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Plants supplied in 9cm pots require potting into suitable aquatic baskets before being placed in the pond.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) and Marshmallow Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Marshmallow’).

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.