Actaea simplex Atropurpurea Group ‘Brunette’

A herbaceous perennial for a damp, shady area in the garden, ‘Brunette’ has bronze, deeply-cut foliage and slender spires of fluffy, fragrant white flowers in late summer, which show up well against a dark background. Plant in moistureretentive soil in a woodland or shady bog garden. Height 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Aruncus dioicus ‘Kneiffii’

Fern-like foliage and tumbling flowerheads resembling small white caterpillars combine to create this striking plant. The flowers appear in summer and make a bright focal point in a bog garden or at a pond edge. It looks delicate, but is in fact robust and will tolerate full sun or part shade. Height 30 in (75 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Astilbe ‘Fanal’

Producing feathery plumes of long-lasting, crimson flowers in early summer, ‘Fanal’ adds fiery interest to a garden with boggy soil. Finely cut, dark green leaves provide a suitable backdrop for the intense flower color. Plant in groups of threes or fives to make a bold statement. Height 2–3 ft (60–100 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Astilbe ‘Professor van der Wielen’

A plant that needs space to show off its full potential, this astilbe produces large, arching sprays of delicate creamywhite flowers in midsummer above fern-like foliage. Place at the back of a wet border or pond-edge garden plan, and divide clumps every three to four years. Height 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width to 3 ft (1 m)

Astilbe ‘Willie Buchanan’

This astilbe cultivar produces a haze of pink when its tiny white flowers with red stamens, borne on fine, branching flower stems, open from mid- to late summer. Ideal for a pond or path edge, plant en masse for a wonderful floral display. The flowers attract beneficial insects. Height 9–12 in (23–30 cm) – Width 8 in (20 cm)

Butomus umbellatus

The flowering rush is a deservedly popular plant for pond margins, where it can immerse its feet in wet soil. The leaves are narrow and angled, bronze-purple when young, turning to mid-green. In late summer, delicate, pale pink, fragrant flowers are borne on slender stems. Height 3 ft (1 m) – Width unlimited

Caltha palustris

Marsh marigolds bring color to pond margins as their intense yellow, cup-shaped blooms appear in late spring. Grow in planting baskets to control their spread. Try C. palustris var. alba for white flowers. Height 24 in (60 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Darmera peltata

The umbrella plant is a slow-spreading perennial that looks good alongside streams and pond margins. Heads of white to pink flowers appear in late spring on long stems before the large, rounded green leaves appear. The foliage gradually turns red in the fall before dying down. Height 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width unlimited

Eupatorium purpureum

A great plant for late summer and early fall color, this stately perennial bears clusters of small pink flowers on tall, purple stems. Toothed, purple-green leaves circle the stems right up to the flowerheads. It attracts bees and butterflies, and makes a superb addition to a wildlife bog garden. Height 6 ft (2 m) – Width 3 ft (1 m)

Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’

The queen of the prairies needs space to spread, so choose a planting position for this perennial carefully. Green jagged leaves sit below wiry stems bearing a frothy display of deep rose-pink flowers in early and midsummer. Use its height to form a screen at the back of a bog garden display. Height 6 ft (2 m) – Width unlimited

Gunnera manicata

A real giant of the bog garden with huge, rhubarb-like leaves, gunnera demands plenty of room, even for just one plant. A herbaceous perennial, it makes a dramatic statement at the waterside. Plant in permanently moist soil and cover the crowns with a dry mulch in hard winters. Height 15 ft (4.5 m) – Width 10 ft (3 m)

Iris laevigata

This iris flourishes reliably in the wet soil in the shallows of ponds and streams. Blue-purple flowers crown green stems in early and midsummer, and sit among broad, swordshaped, mid-green leaves. Clumps will spread steadily. Height 30 in (75 cm) – Width 3 ft (1 m)

Iris pseudacorus ‘Variegata’

This is the variegated-leaved version of the well-known yellow flag iris. Pale yellow stripes decorate the green, upright leaves when young; the yellow blooms appear in summer. A spreading iris, it needs restricting if it is not to become invasive. Plant in a basket at the margins of a pond. Height 3 ft (1 m) – Width 30 in (75 cm)

Iris sibirica ‘Butter and Sugar’

Bred from the Siberian iris, ‘Butter and Sugar’ bears shapely flowers with white upper petals and butter-yellow lower petals from mid- to late spring. Each stem is surrounded by green strappy foliage and can hold up to five blooms. Divide the tight clumps in spring or once flowers have faded. Height 20 in (50 cm) – Width 10 in (25 cm)

Iris sibirica ‘Perry’s Blue’

This is a traditional cultivar producing closely spaced flower stems that carry mid-blue flowers with rusty-colored veins. It flowers in early summer and will bring color to the edges of small ponds and borders with boggy soil. Plant with lighter-flowered irises for duo-tone effect. Height 3 ft (1 m) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Iris versicolor ‘Kermesina’

From eastern North America, the blue flag is a small iris for small ponds. In summer, the species has lavender-blue flowers with white markings, while ‘Kermesina’ bears red-purple blooms. The long, strappy leaves add architectural interest to a pond margin from spring until fall when they die down. Height 30 in (75 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Kirengeshoma palmata

An unusual plant for the bog garden, this clump-forming perennial has jagged green leaves with reddish-purple stems. Pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers hang from the slim stems above the foliage in late summer and early fall. Plant in moist acid soil in a part-shaded sheltered site. Height 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width 30 in (75 cm)

Ligularia ‘The Rocket’

A plant of contrasts with jet black flower stems and bright yellow flowers, this bog lover is a must for larger gardens. The leaves form a carpet through which the flower spikes emerge from early to late summer. Choose a bright site but one that is shaded from the midday sun. Height 6 ft (2 m) – Width 3½ ft (1.1 m).

Matteuccia struthiopteris

The common names of shuttlecock fern and ostrich fern can be easily understood when the enormous finely dissected fronds emerge from the ground in spring. During late summer, fertile, narrow brown fronds cluster at the center of the plant and last through winter. Grow in moist shade. Height 5½ ft (1.7 m) – Width to 3 ft (1 m)

Myosotis scorpioides

Plant the water forget-me-not close to a pond edge, where its flowers can be seen clearly. The tiny blue blooms have white, pink, or yellow eyes and appear in early summer. The cultivar ‘Mermaid’ has a more compact habit. Height 18 in (45 cm) – Width unlimited

Nymphaea ‘Darwin’

The almost peony-like, fragrant flowers of this waterlily are pale pink in the center while the outermost petals are white with a tinge of pink. With its large, flat, dark green leaves and vigorous growth, ‘Darwin’ (also sold as Hollandia) is best suited to medium-sized to large ponds. Width 5 ft (1.5 m)

Nymphaea ‘Froebelii’

Tiny burgundy-red flowers with golden stamens open between the dark green leaves (bronze when young) of ‘Froebelii’ to make a perfect miniature water lily. Ideal for small ponds, tubs, or half-barrels, it will put on a beautiful flower display from midsummer to fall. Width 30 in (75 cm)

Nymphaea ‘Gonnère’

A stunning water lily for medium-sized ponds, ‘Gonnère’ sends up pure white fragrant flowers with yellow stamens from mid- to late summer. The circular lily pads are bronze when young but soon turn a light pea-green. Grow in full sun for the best results. Width 5 ft (1.5 m)

Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Chromatella’

This is a very old cultivar that has stood the test of time. Lemon-yellow flowers, with broad incurved petals and deep yellow centers, are produced from mid- to late summer and appear between floating olive-green leaves with bronze markings. Plant in a medium-sized pond or pool in full sun. Width 5 ft (1.5 m)

Osmunda regalis

The royal fern makes an arresting sight at the edge of a pond with its toes just in the water. It is deciduous, producing a crop of fresh, mid-green sterile fronds that gracefully unfurl each spring. In summer, upright, fertile, tassel-like fronds form in the center of the plant. This fern needs space to spread. Height 6 ft (2 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Pontederia cordata

Pretty from a distance, this plant is exquisite close-up. The pickerel weed is a marginal plant with bright green, lance-shaped leaves with spikes of starry blue flowers in late summer. There is also a white-flowered cultivar, ‘Alba’. Height 3–4½ ft (0.9–1.3 m) – Width 24–30 in (60–75 cm)

Primula alpicola

Originally from Tibet, this moisture-loving primula flowers in midsummer with fragrant white, yellow, or violet tubular blooms on whitish stems. The deciduous leaves are mid-green and have toothed or scalloped margins. Plant in a bog garden or in soil that stays reliably damp. Height 20 in (50 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm)

Primula beesiana

A semievergreen candelabra primula, P. beesiana has vivid magenta flowers in summer. The spherical flowerheads appear at intervals up greenish-white stems, giving rise to the plant’s common name. Plant in a boggy border, or at a pond edge, in large groups with ferns to create a colorful, textured display. Height 24 in (60 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Primula ‘Inverewe’

In summer, up to 15 bright red flowers appear on each white stem on this semievergreen candelabra primula. The midgreen leaves are oval with toothed margins. The plant is a vigorous grower that prefers partial shade, but will tolerate full sun as long as the roots are kept moist. Height 30 in (75 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Rheum palmatum ‘Atrosanguineum’

This ornamental rhubarb needs a large garden to accommodate its three-foot-long, toothed leaves and huge plumes of cerise-pink summer flowers. The young leaves are purple, but fade to green as they age. The soil has to be deep, moist, and very fertile to sustain healthy growth. Height to 8 ft (2.5 m) – Width to 6 ft (1.8 m)

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Superba’

Grown for its foliage, the young, purplish-bronze leaves of this plant mature to dark green with distinctive veins, giving a puckered appearance. From mid- to late summer, clusters of tiny bright pink flowers reach above the leaves, followed by brown seedheads. Protect from cold winds. Height to 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width 30 in (75 cm)

Sanguisorba canadensis

This is a tall plant that needs to be placed at the back of a bog garden or moist border. It produces lush green foliage on branching stems, and long, bottlebrush-like spikes of small white flowers, which open from the bottom upwards, in late summer and early fall. Divide clumps in spring or fall. Height to 6 ft (2 m) – Width 3 ft (1 m)

Typha minima

An ideal plant for small ponds or tubs, this perennial has clusters of narrow vertical leaves, which are joined in late summer by cylindrical flower spikes. The flower stalks can be cut and used in indoor arrangements. Height to 30 in (75 cm) – Width 12–18 in(30–45 cm)

Zantedeschia aethiopica

One of the most exotic-looking marginal plants, the arum lily brings grace and style to ponds and bog gardens. Large pure white flowers, which gleam against the bright green foliage, open from late spring through to midsummer. Grow in shallow water, dividing the rootstock if necessary in spring. Height 36 in (90 cm) – Width 36 in (90 cm)