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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 Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 7-9, 2025
PBS Wisconsin's
Garden & Green Living Expo

Madison, WI

Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens

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Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

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Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

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March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

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March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
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March 26, 2025

FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

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