Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)

Pickerel Weed | Pontederia cordata

Elegant blue flowering marginal pond plant for wildlife ponds and natural pond edges

Pickerel Weed, scientifically known as Pontederia cordata, is one of the most eye catching marginal pond plants available for adding height, structure, and vibrant late summer colour to pond edges and bog gardens. Famous for its upright spikes of rich lilac blue flowers and glossy heart shaped leaves, this elegant aquatic perennial creates a bold architectural display while also providing excellent wildlife benefits.

Flowering from July through to September, Pickerel Weed produces dense flower spikes that rise proudly above the foliage, creating stunning vertical interest around the pond edge. The vivid blue purple blooms attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the warmer months, making it an excellent addition to wildlife ponds and natural garden planting schemes.

The foliage is equally attractive, with lush glossy green leaves that are heart shaped and slightly upright in habit. These leaves bring a tropical appearance to the pond margin and contrast beautifully against water lilies, grasses, and other marginal pond plants. Pontederia cordata works especially well in wildlife ponds, larger ornamental ponds, contemporary water gardens, and naturalistic planting designs.

Pickerel Weed thrives in shallow water and permanently damp soil, making it ideal for marginal shelves, wet bog gardens, and pond edges. It performs best in full sun where flowering is at its strongest, although it will also tolerate partial shade. Once established, this hardy perennial reliably returns year after year and forms tidy clumps that gradually expand over time without becoming invasive.

One of the major benefits of Pontederia cordata is the habitat it creates around the pond. The dense foliage offers shelter for amphibians, insects, and emerging dragonflies, while the flowers provide a valuable nectar source during the late summer season when many other aquatic plants have finished blooming.

This plant combines particularly well with Water Hawthorn, Iris varieties, Water Forget Me Not, Cyperus sedges, and hardy water lilies to create a layered and natural pond planting effect. Its upright habit also makes it perfect for softening hard pond edges and adding depth to shallow planting shelves.

Whether used in formal pond designs or wildlife focused water gardens, Pickerel Weed remains one of the most reliable and visually impressive marginal pond plants available. Its long flowering period, attractive foliage, and ecological value make it an essential addition to any well planted 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.

---

Key Benefits

• Stunning lilac blue flower spikes during late summer
• Glossy heart shaped foliage adds lush texture
• Excellent for bees, butterflies, and pollinators
• Creates shelter for dragonflies and amphibians
• Perfect for pond margins and bog gardens
• Hardy and reliable in UK conditions
• Adds vertical height and architectural structure

---

Reasons to Buy

• Long flowering season from July to September
• One of the best marginal plants for wildlife ponds
• Easy to grow and low maintenance
• Excellent for adding colour and height around ponds
• Ideal for natural and formal pond planting schemes

---

Care Instructions

• Plant Pickerel Weed in shallow water or permanently moist soil around the pond edge.
• Position in full sun for the strongest flowering and healthiest foliage growth.
• Place the aquatic basket with the crown sitting approximately 5 cm to 20 cm below the water surface.
• Remove old flower spikes and dead foliage during autumn or early spring to keep the plant tidy.
• Divide larger clumps every few years in spring if the plant becomes overcrowded.

---

Flowering Period

July to September

---

Size and Growing Conditions

---

Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Pickerel Weed 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:

• 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
• 5 Litre Square Basket – 24 × 24 × 14cm

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

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.

---

Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare White Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata ‘Alba’) and Primrose (Primula vulgaris).

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.