For gardeners who live in zone 6 or zone 5, pond plants that are typically found in these zones can be pretty, but tend not to be plants that look tropical. Many gardeners would like tropical plants to use by a goldfish pond or fountain, but believe in their temperate area, this is not possible. This is not the case though. There are many plants that look cold hardy tropical plants or bushes that can turn your water retreat into an exotic getaway.
Cold hardy tropical plants or bushes for ponds
Corkscrew Rush
The corkscrew rush is a fun and looks like an exotic tropical plant. The stems of this plant grow in a spiral and add an interesting structure to the garden.
Burhead
The large leaves of these plants give them the look and feel of tropical rainforest plants.
Creeping Jenny
The long stems of this plant can create the feel of long tropical vines coming over then edges of walls and on pond banks.
Giant Arrowhead
The massive 2 foot leaves of this plant can be a good copycat of the popular exotic tropical plant elephant ear.
Hosta
Always a time tried favorite, larger leaf hostas can also give the illusion of tropical rainforest plants growing around a pond.
Lizard’s Tail
More fun plants that look tropical, and named this because the flowers look like lizards tails. This can help give the feel of small flitting lizards among your plants.
Obedient Plant
Add some color to your tropical looking pond with these bright pink flowers.
Parrot Feather
The feathery foliage on this exotic tropical plant adds interest to the edge and center of a pond.
Pickerel Rush
This plant will provide exotic looking flowers all through the summer months and survives the winter well.
Water Hibiscus
This plant looks exactly like regular hibiscus. Unlike those tropical rainforest plants, these will winter over in the pond and will bloom year after year.
Water Iris
Adding more floral color, the shape of the water iris water is reminiscent of the orchids you may find in tropical locations.
This is just a short list of all the cold hardy tropical plants that look tropical that you can use around your pond. Plant a few of these by your pond and site back to sip on pina coladas.
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