Water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) is a pretty British native plant with dainty pale pinkish-white flowers from June to August which rise above it’s foliage.  These are wonderful plants for dragon and damselflies as they attract pollinators that are food for them, the branched stems of the flowers heads act as perches for resting, and the strong but open flower stems are ideal for the nymphs to escape the water so the adults can emerge.  They are designated as plants for pollinators by the RHS.  Remove the seed heads to avoid self seeding. Sun or part-shade.

Please note when these get larger from May onwards their foliage is easily damaged so bent or broken leaves are difficult to avoid no matter how carefully we pack them!  Remove any broken leaves and they will soon be replaced.  As they have limited bendability they may be cut back from late May onwards.

Height: 60-90cm

Planting position: Pond marginal shelf up to 40cm deep; or very wet soil.

Form: 9cm (0.5 litre) in a solid or 2 and 3 litre in an aquatic basket -please select size below

Recommended basket size min./ideal: 2 litre round/3 litre hexagonal

(Recommended basket sizes are for potting up 9cm (0.5 litre) plants only as these are supplied in solid pots.  Larger sized plants are already in aquatic baskets so can go straight in the pond, however they may need potting up or splitting at some point)