Wildlife value of Water Hyacinth — an unexpected bonus

I planted Water Hyacinth primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. cooling visual effect and microclimate benefit in summer seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a stream edge or bog garden which allows me to watch the activity up close. first leaf pads emerging at the water surface in spring is the most active period for wildlife visits. planting in aquatic baskets with specialist pond compost is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. overrunning the pond surface in productive warm summers is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.