Cool Plants

Nymphoides peltata

Nymphoides peltata or water fringe has free floating heart-shaped leaves that grow in shallow ponds that are 6 to 12 inches deep. One-inch, lemon yellow star-shaped flowers bloom above the foliage throughout the summer months. It spreads aggressively by runners and can be slightly invasive. However, it can be easily removed in most artificial pond settings. It prefers full sun to part shade. Water fringe is cold hardy and evergreen to 15 degrees F. It has other common names including Fringed Water Lily, Yellow Snowflake and Yellow Floating Heart.

Hydrocleys nymphoides

Water Poppy is another 'lily-like' aquatic plant, good for bog gardens, ponds, marshes, or water features. Its flower will stand above the water line, creating wonderful visual stimulation in the garden. It is a floating aquatic, with yellow flowers that will bloom in the summer with red and brown centers. Their leaves are heart shaped, deep green, and shiny. There are interesting trailing stems to their style. The foliage is nice and the blooms have a bright punch to the water line. Water Poppy plants will need to be planted between half a foot to a foot and a half, in full sun or partial shade. Although the plant will grow fine in those depths they prefer to be in shallower conditions. They need to be in continuously wet conditions, and do well in marshy locations.

Mimulus guttatus

Monkey Flower gets its name from the physical appearance of the flowers, or from the name mimulus, stemming from a root word meaning "mimic." In either case, the low-growing flowers are a good way to brighten up the shade. Monkey Flower blooms in a deep hued yellow. Mimulus forms neat, compact mounds seldom reaching over 10 inches in height, but spreading wider. It will thrive in moist soil, even in boggy conditions with occasional flooding; it will also bloom beautifully in dappled shade. Mimulus thrives nears ponds, pools, and streams. Mimulus is also a perfect container plant. It will bloom indoors under cool conditions.

Cabomba furcata

Cabomba or Fanwort is a multi-branched submerged perennial plant. The submerged leaves are opposite, attached by a single petiole, but above the petiole form a finely divided "fan-shaped" leaf. Fanwort has a small white to pink flower which arises from the tip of the stem and stands slightly above the waters surface. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish. Cabomba is an oxygenator, and fills an important role in the overall health of your pond.

Phygelius 'Passionate'

This evergreen shrub sports long spikes of red, dangling, bell-shaped flowers with yellow throats that last for much of the summer. It makes a beautiful and unique addition to a perennial or shrub border. It's a fantastic hummingbird attractor. It prefers full sun and fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It can be grown as a tender perennial where not hardy. Otherwise, mulch with a dry material in winter and cut back nearly to the ground in spring.

Cosmos atrosanguineus

Chocolate Cosmos has such dark maroon flowers that they do occasionally approach the color of a Hershey's bar. It's occasionally called Black Cosmos. Even more remarkable, the possess the faint scent of chocolate. The chocolatiness is most evident as evening approaches, toward the end of a hot summery day. The bulk of the foliage clump is about three feet tall, a tangle that seems to be fighting against an urge to become prostrate, leaning into the sun. The wiry stems that uphold each bloom rise from three to four feet high which is well above the foliage, with other blooms lower within the embrace of the foliage. Even apart from the novelty of its Hershey bar perfume, the flower is one of the prettiest. It offers excellent cuttings for bouquets. It begins blooming in May, picks up speed in June, & in July the clump is chock full of bobbling blooms that easily catch a breeze. It will continue to produce blooms through mild early frosts.

Colocasia violacea

Violet Stemmed Taro has a bold "Elephant Ear" foliage with stems a raspberry colored stems and a waxy bluish cast to the leaves which cause water droplets to bead up. It can grown quite large (6-8 feet!) and spreads in rich moist soil. This plant can be cut back once frost kills the foliage. Mulch it for winter protection but as the weather warms, remove this covering to allow new shoots to emerge. Given them sun, rich soil and ample water and these plants will thrive and be impressive during long hot summers.

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