Orontium aquaticum
golden club
This pond plant is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its foliage in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose it all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Depth of water: 5-45cm (2-18in)
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: May to June
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Curious, pencil-like, bright yellow flower spikes in May and June held above clumps of submerged or floating, mid-green leaves, often purple-tinted beneath. This deep-water aquatic perennial looks great planted around the margins of a sunny pool. While not invasive, it's best grown in Orontium aquaticum is best grown in an aquatic planting basket of loamy soil in water no deeper than 45cm.
These plants are potted up (using a suitable aquatic compost) into aquatic pots. These pots are made of a fine mesh, which allows water to circulate through the compost, providing the plants with both oxygen and nutrients. They can be placed straight into the pond, with a covering of water from 5cm (2") up to 45cm (18") deep. To enhance flowering divide congested clumps every three to five years. Aquatics can appear a little flaccid after their travel to you but will regenerate once submerged in water.