Giant Pickerel Weed ‘lanceolata’ (Pontederia cordata subsp. or var. lanceolata) - Tall Non-Native Marginal (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A bold, architectural marginal from North America, Giant Pickerel Weed ‘lanceolata’ brings tall spikes of violet-blue flowers above handsome, narrow lance-shaped leaves. Clump-forming rhizomes build impressive stands on the shallow shelf, giving vertical structure, wildlife perches, and safe emergence stems for dragonflies and damselflies. The open flower spikes are well used by bees through summer. Expect around 80-140 cm in bloom (sometimes taller in rich sites) with a steady, manageable spread when basketed. Best at the pond margin with 0-15(-20) cm of water over the soil, or in reliably damp ground just outside the liner. (This is not UK-native; keep it contained in a basket for neatness and pond balance.)

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (best flowering in good light)

• Moisture/Zone: Pond margin / shallow shelf; set crown at water level or with 0-15(-20) cm water above the soil

• Setting: Mid/back of the marginal shelf for height

Planting & care

• Plant in a mesh aquatic basket with peat-free aquatic compost; top-dress with washed grit to prevent float

• Feed not needed in wildlife ponds; let mixed planting and light shade do the balancing

• Deadhead or shear spent spikes to tidy; remove old leaves in late winter/early spring

• Divide every 2-3 years to refresh clumps and manage footprint; always keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses

Safety (important & honest):
Grown for ornament and habitat. Do not ingest. Wash hands after pond work. Never release garden plants or pond water into the wild.

Truth-first wildlife note:
While non-native, pickerel weed’s open florets are accessible to bees and hoverflies, and its upright stems provide top-tier emergence structure for aquatic insects. Use a contained clump and surround with UK-native, single-flowered marginals to maximise overall ecological value.

Joel says…
“For a strong, summery statement on the shelf, pickerel weed delivers - clean verticals, bee-friendly spikes, and brilliant emergence stems. Basket it, keep it to a sensible clump, and enjoy the show.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.