Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed)

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

Height, Spread: 2-4 ft, 1.5-2 ft

Water/Soil: Moist-standing water, clay, loam, sand, high organic matter, neutral pH

Light: Full sun-part shade

Bloom: Summer-fall, densely packed lavender tubular flowers on spike

Native Range: Eastern & Midwestern USA

Qualities: Attractive to pollinators, Wildlife resource, Erosion control

Notes: Herbaceous emergent commonly found along shorelines or in the shallows of streams, ponds, lakes and bogs in NC. Attractive to pollinators and supports specialized native bee Florilegus condignus. Waterfowl eat the seeds and it provides cover for fish and amphibians underwater. Dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs on its stems. Best used as a native plant buffer alongside a pond, lake, or stream to improve water quality and prevent erosion.