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Planning and Planting a Water Garden

Water gardens and ponds bring a bit of natural beauty and attract wildlife to our backyards. When selecting plants, it is important to select the right plant suited to your climate. Avoid invasive plants that escape into and damage nearby waterways and lakes.

Filling water features with native plants is the first step in growing success and keeping waterways safe. Consult with your local extension Office, Department of Natural Resources or local nature centers for a list of suitable native water garden plants.

Always purchase plants from a local reliable source. Avoid online sources that sell restricted and invasive plants that should not be grown in our water gardens, ponds and lakes. 

Save yourself time and frustration by avoiding aggressive plants. These plant bullies can crowd out their neighbors and increase time spent on maintenance.

A bit more information: Help prevent the spread and future infestations of aggressive and invasive plants. Don’t share plants with others or release them into our waterways and lakes. You may be passing along invasive species or problems for them to manage. Instead remove and destroy any aggressive, invasive, and restricted plants from your water features and ponds. Most places allow you to seal these plants in a plastic bag, label as “Invasive” and throw them in the trash.

Upcoming
Events & Webinars

May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
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May 16-17 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 20, 2026
Herb Container Workshop
Pewaukee, WI
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May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
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June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind

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June 10, 2026
Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium
Brookfield, WI
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July 9, 2026
Ebert's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ixonia, WI

July 11-12, 2026
Festa Italiana
Milwaukee, WI

August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI

Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
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Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
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Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

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