Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - June 11, 2015
From: Troy, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Water Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Aquatic Plants for a Small Pond in Missouri
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We have a small backyard pond (4' x 5' x 2' deep) with a shelf for marginal plants, and a pump that feeds a nice little creek and waterfall into the pond. We don't really want fish, but we'd like to keep the water clean of algae and looking awesome. Can you recommend some plants native to the St. Louis, MO area for such a small backyard pond? Everything I've found online seems to be for larger ponds, or ponds with fish, or includes invasive plants.ANSWER:
Try a search through the Native Plant Database on the www.wildflower.org website. Select Missouri, herbaceous, perennial, full sun and wet to get a decent list of terrestrial, marshy, bog and pond plants to review. You can tame some of the more vigorous plants by keeping them in a container on your pond shelf.
Some native aquatic plants to consider include:
Alisma subcordatum (American water plantain)
Asclepias perennis (Aquatic milkweed)
Caltha palustris (Yellow marsh marigold)
Decodon verticillatus (Swamp loosestrife)
Justicia americana (American water-willow)
Ludwigia palustris (Marsh seedbox)
Potamogeton nodosus (Knotty pondweed)
Sagittaria latifolia (Broadleaf arrowhead)
Utricularia gibba (Bladderwort)
Lastly the Missouri Department of Conservation have an article on Water Gardening online by John Whitley that discusses using native plants. There might be some cultural tips there that will help.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit?
December 10, 2015 - In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that...
view the full question and answer
Optimal time for trimming Fall asters
July 04, 2014 - RE: fall asters
What is the latest date in the summer that I can trim my fall asters and still get a good amount of blooms in October?
view the full question and answer
Plants indigenous to Sedona, AZ
July 07, 2010 - I live in Sedona AZ and I want to plant indigenous plants in my garden. Is there a list of AZ native plants shrubs and trees that are indigenous to Sedona?
If there is no list that is specific f...
view the full question and answer
Taking stock in where and what you grow in Denver Colorado
December 22, 2011 - I have two year old stock plants growing in a container in my home and they are finally starting to bloom. However, the buds open but don't produce any petals. Also they are experiencing yellow leave...
view the full question and answer
New York City Native Perennials for a Long Growing Season
May 31, 2013 - Which native New York City perennials would be best for the longest growing season?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |