Experienced grower's notes on Pickerelweed

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Pickerelweed remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is positioning at the correct water depth for the species. Everything else follows from that.

frost damage on tender varieties left in shallow water is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a half-barrel water garden for a small patio for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. extraordinary flower forms rising above or floating on the water is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. foliage die-back and pond tidying in autumn is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.