Water Plantain ‘Lancelot’ (Alisma - cultivar of a UK Native) - Compact, Upright Spikes for Shallow Shelves & Pond Collars (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A tidy, compact water plantain selected from our UK native lineage, ‘Lancelot’ carries narrow, lance-shaped leaves and airy branched flower spikes of soft pink-tinged white blooms in early to mid summer. Perfect for shallow marginal shelves and the pond collar, it gives vertical accent without swamping small ponds. The pollen-rich flowers attract hoverflies, small bees and pond-flies, while the foliage offers cover for newts and emerging damselflies. Clump-forming; typically 35-60 cm in flower (smaller than the species) with a neat footprint.
Native status: Cultivar of a UK native (garden-safe).

Where it thrives

Light: Full sun to light/partial shade
Moisture/Zone: Shallow marginal shelf with 0-10 cm water over the crown, or constantly damp pond collar; still to slow water
Soil/Substrate: Mineral subsoil/loam (Joel-style) topped with washed gravel; never peat

Planting & care

• Plant crowns level on a stable shelf; for Joel-style ponds, plant directly into subsoil (no basket) and cap lightly with gravel

• Water to establish; keep consistently wet in summer

• Deadhead if you prefer tidy clumps, or leave the seed-heads for structure and winter interest

• Divide every 2–3 years in spring to refresh or share

• No pesticides; avoid high-salt feeds

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only—do not ingest. Generally low-risk. Keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
A compact marginal that provides good nectar for small pollinators and soft cover at the warm rim. Not as nectar-heavy as loosestrife or mint - pair with natives like Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife and Brooklime to extend forage.

Joel says…
“Think mini water-plantain: slim leaves, airy flowers, tidy clump. Sit it on a shallow shelf (0-10 cm) and let it stitch the rim without taking over.”