What are some good marginal plants?

Need some advice on my pond. I've just had a clear out. Threw out the overgrown yellow iris which hadn't flowered for a couple of years. Dug out the water lillies and replanted select bits. My pond has a shelf, which is approx 4 metres by 3, for marginal plants but the shelf is really a bit too deep, about 5". We can't change the design. I had plants growing in pots but I don't like the plastic pot look. I want it to be more natural looking so I've bought a few large stones and I'm going to plant marginals around the stones, using the pond edges and stones as containers if you see what I mean.

I need some suggestions of what to plant. So can anyone advise some good ones. Ideally I'd like plants that looks good in winter as well as the growing season. So folks, what are your favourite pond plants that are easy to grow?

Thanks.

 

Hmmm, most water plants don't look good in winter! most of them die right down.

Try the variegated native flag iris.. Iris pseudacorus variegata, great yellow flowers and lovely spikey 'architectural' leaves.

 

Guess I was asking too much.

So...any other suggestions for nice easy to grow marginals?

 

Thanks MF. I'll look those up.

 

Redwing, I found this useful site a while back when I was looking for damp loving plants. Never ordered from them, but it gave me a few good ideas...and some surprises there too.

http://www.puddleplants.co.uk/index.htm

 

Thanks SG, will look later.

 

A lovely marginal plant is Purple Loosestrife.

It dies away in the winter, in Spring you can see the green foliage growing up through the water and then it has a long flowering season.

Mine are growing up from 2 feet deep, no problem.

Another absolutely beautiful (to me) marginal plant is Arrowhead. The arrow-shaped leaves are the best part but it also has white flowers. The most "sophisticated" plant in our pond. You can plant Arrowhead up to 2 feet deep as well.

 

Thanks kindred spirit. I don't know arrowhead; I'll look it up.

 

It's this type of Arrowhead that I have (in case you think it's other types).

http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o1130-arrowhead.php