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Desirable Plants
These are the most common desirable, native plants for lakes, shorelines and wetland
restoration plantings that we do at Aquatic Weed Control, Inc. We only plant those that are
native to Florida and a beneficial to waterways.
Planting desired Native plants along the shoreline can help reduce the nutrient load that feeds
algae and other undesirable plants. They can also provide shade that slows down the growth of
unwanted vegetation and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. They can also add a landscaped
or natural look to your waterway.
Some Native plants are desirable until they over grow their area and then they become
undesirable like cattail, white water lily, spatterdock and others.
Bald Cypress Tree
Cypress trees are fast growing, long-lived, native trees that
grow along and in shallow water. They are one of Florida’s
most lovely and majestic trees.
Spring and summer are the best times to plant and we can
help you with how many and where to plant.
These trees are very important to our ecosystem and
landowners are increasingly interested in planting cypress for
a number of reasons…
They maintain and enhance water quality by removing
phosphorus and nitrogen from secondarily treated
wastewater, by soil processes and plant uptake.
Run off from storms can be stored in cypress ponds making
them excellent flood control agents. These ponds can also
contribute to recharging groundwater.
In the winter the needle turn brown and fall off which provide
wildlife with cover and nesting materials.
Canadian geese migrating to the south and feed on the
seeds. Cypress provide food for birds, ducks, cranes, storks
and swamp rabbits. An abundance of hollow trees provide
homes for wildlife.
Beautyberry
This native plant is a round shrub that can reach up to 8 feet
tall. The leaves grow on opposite sides of the stem from
each other and can be 3 inches wide by 7 inches long. The
stems and leaves are covered with short hairs. Berry type
fruit appear in summer and cluster together on the stem.
The fruit and seeds are eaten by a wide variety of animals
including birds, deer, raccoons and other small creatures.
These plants can handle partial shade but will bare more fruit
in the full sun. It can grow in Sandy moist condition as well
as open dry areas.
As pretty as this plant is, it has a very unpleasant aroma of
crushed leaves.
Blue Flag Iris
Early spring is the time of year when plants start competing
for the warm sunshine. One of the first plants to make a
move in the spring will be the Blue Flag Iris which can be an
individual plant or a team effort where they grow in clumps.
This wetland perennial is a native to North America and is
often exported to Europe. It has strong stems that grow from
a thick cylindrical, creeping rootstock that bear sword-like
long narrow leaves.
In the spring, you will see one to 2 flowers on a stem about 2
feet above the waterline. There are dark green, long,
graceful, arching leaves around each stem.
To create a natural Florida habitat, this elegant native is often
planted in water gardens and small ponds. They add beauty
to the landscape and the root system helps hold the bank in
place. The foliage is rarely bothered by disease or insects.
The spring flowers are purple-blue and are very fragrant.
Bulrush
Soft stem and Giant (deep water)
There are several plants in the sedge family called bulrush
and over a dozen in Florida. We use the Soft and Giant
bulrush varieties. These two look very similar and have a lot in
common. They are wetland plants that you will see in ponds
and marshes. Most of the plants love full sun and grow in
clusters.
Each plant grows from rhizomes and the upward stems are
sponge-like when you squeeze them. This is because there is
a large air chamber in each stem. At the top of the stems you
will find inflorescence, hanging clusters of seeds. The seeds
are eaten by birds and animals eat the stems. Since they are
planted along shorelines and in littoral zones, they provide a
hiding place for fish and help to develop a natural habitat.
SOFT – The Soft Bulrush gets its name because it is softer
and more flexible than some of the other varieties. It is also
brighter in color. This plant is usually planted in shallow
waters and it can grow 3 -5 feet tall.
GIANT – By its name you can guess that it is larger than other
verities. This variety does better when planted in waters up to
6 feet deep and it grows up to 10 feet tall. Larger fish will
hang out in these plants because they provide good cover and
attract food for them to eat.
We use these plants to stabilize a shoreline to prevent erosion
and add a natural look to ponds and lakefronts. They are also
planted in wetlands for restoration projects.
Buttonbush
This common variety is a native, wetland shrub that is
commonly found along the edges of swamps and waterways
where the roots can be under water for part of the year. In the
summer it has white flowers and fruit that attract butterflies
and bees because of the sweet nectar. In the fall the plant
produces brownish-red seeds that are eaten by deer and
waterfowl.
 Green leaves can reach 7” long by 3” wide
 Fragrant round white flowers about 1-1/2” diameter
The showy aspects of this shrub make it a popular choice
when doing a native planting project. If is often planted along
shorelines to help with erosion control. The base of the plant
form dense area and helps to stabilize the shoreline.
Canna
Cannas are plants valued for their impressive, bright colored
flowers and large tropical leaves. The Golden Canna is native
to Florida and is frequently seen in clusters along the edges of
marshes, ponds and lakes.
These flowering plants are easy to grow. They can be planted
on bank or in the water’s edge.
 Grows best in full sun but can tolerate semi-shady
areas
 Grows in clumps and can become 4 feet tall
 Flowers are 3 inches tall and grow in clusters on each
stem. To ensure continuous blooms through the
summer, remove the part of the stem that held the
withered flower.
 Leaves are 6 inches wide by 2 feet long and have a
waxy coating that repels water. This coating protects
the leaves from disease. The only real enemy is the
occasional grasshopper or caterpillar.
You can’na contact us if you would like us to add these lovely
plants to your shoreline area.
Club-rush
This plant is in the sedge family and is known as the tallest
variety. It is one of over 30 varieties of spikerush and grows in
fresh water marshes or shallow ponds.
 The stalks are 1/4 inch in diameter.
 There are no leaves but the stalks are wrapped with long
sheathes from the base to the tip.
 There are spikelets at the tops and each will have up to 90
small white flowers.
 Ducks and wading birds graze on this plant.
Cordgrass
This native plant grows naturally in wetlands and grows best
in sandy moist soils. However, it is a drought tolerant plant
and can be used in just about any planting project. This plant
is often not appreciated for it talents for being able to grow in
wetlands and high and dry areas. You’ll find them along the
highways, used as border plants, in golf courses, large areas
where they have too grow.
 The vase shaped plant can grow up to 4 feet tall
 It can spread to 5 feet wide
 Fine textured, wiry leaves in a fountain pattern
 Evergreen color than turns brown in the fall
 Plant in full sun
 Seed heads can be 8 inches long, but mainly
reproduces rhizomes or root system.
 Pest and diseases free
Duck Potato
Duck potato gets the name from the potato looking tubers that
grow off its root system.
This emersed plant is mainly planted along shorelines. It is
an attractive plant that is often planted in groups. They
provide food and habitat for aquatic animals and a hiding
place for fish. Muskrats and birds will eat the plant’s seeds
and tubers.
This plant is pleasing to the landscape and acts as a filtering
agent. Nutrients from fertilized yards can get into the water
and feed unwanted weeds and algae, but with these plants in
place the nutrients are absorbed by the plants before they can
reach the weeds.
 Large, lance-shaped leaves grow up to 4 inches wide
and up to 15 inches long
 Unique 3 petal white flowers on thick stalks extend
above the leaves make the plant easy to identify
Fireflag
This is a large, emeresed, perennial plant that grows above
the water line along the banks of waterways and in marshes,
swamps and wet ditches. You may know it by another name,
Alligator Flag because is it commonly found near alligator
holes.
It grows and spreads through a thick rhizome. Sometimes the
seeds that appear in the fall will land in moist soil and start
new plants. Inside the leaf stalks are a lot of air holes that
supply the plant with air and help keep it erect when the water
levels rise.
 Extra large, lance-shaped leaves grow up to 8 inches wide
and up to 30 inches long
 Multiple small purple flowers hang from tall stalks, usually
2 clusters per stalk and 3 petals per flower
The plant is mainly used for wetland restoration projects.
Lizard Tail
This is a beneficial native plant that likes shorelines and
wetland areas. It acts like a tall ground cover that can quickly
fill in an area to choke out exotic plants.
Lizard Tail gets the name from the long, slender floral spikes
that turn into brown capsules and curl like a lizard’s tail.
 An emersed plant that spreads through underground
runners.
 Grows to 1 – 2 feet tall in shallow wetlands and swampy
areas
 Dark green heart-shaped leaves grow 4-6 inches long
 Leaves are attached to a long hairy stem
 White to yellow-ish flowers bloom in May and June on
long spikes that curve
 The flowers turn into brown capsules on these curved
spikes
Magnolia – Southern
The Southern and Sweetbay variety are both evergreen trees
that are native to the U.S. Both are known for their large rich
shiny green leaves and lovely white flowers. The fragrant
flowers of the Sweetbay are small as are most of the aspects
of this tree when compared to the Southern variety.
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The Southern Magnolia usually grows from 60’ to 90’ tall
and has a pointed and upright crown.
Leaves – 5” – 8” long, shiny, thick green top and brown
color hairs underneath.
Bark – dark gray and smooth but scales with age.
The Southern likes moist soil in upland areas and grow
well with other hardwood trees.
Magnolia – Sweetbay
The crown of this tree is rounded and spreads out and the tree
can grow 50’ to 90’ tall in Florida. In other states this variety
may only reach 30’ tall.
 Leaves – 4” – 6” long, shiny thin green top and a whitish
color hairs underneath.
 Bark – brown-gray bark is smooth, think and tight.
 The Sweetbay likes wet soil along shorelines and
swamps.
Maidencane
This is a grass that was “made in” Florida, it’s a native. The
plants provide food and nesting materials for wildlife. It also
provides a habitat and a hiding place for birds, fish and
mammals like the whitetail deer.
 Grows in shallow marshes and ponds and spreads by
way of underground runners.
 Fast growing and forms dense areas up to 5’ tall
 Prefers shallow water or very moist soil
 Seeds that are produced are usually sterile but
provide food to wildlife
Maidencane if often used to stabilize shorelines because of the
thick root system. It can be confused with other grasses that
are the invasive type and it takes an expert like we have at
Aquatic Weed Control to tell the difference.
Pickerel Weed
This attractive, native, emersed plant is one of the most
recognized plants in Florida’s waterways. It has clusters of
purple flowers that are visible from spring through the
summer. You’ll see them planted in the marshes, ditches and
shallow water along a pond’s shoreline where they add to the
aquascape. They also act as a filtering agent to keep
unwanted nutrients from getting into the waterway. When it
rains, nutrients from fertilized yards and roads run off into
waterways where they encourage the growth of unwanted
weeds. But with these plants in place, they will absorb the
nutrients first.
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Grows to 3-5 feet tall in water not more than 12 inches
deep
Fast grower that likes full sun
Green leaf blades can be 18 inches long and provide
cover for birds and fish
Small purple flowers cluster together on spikes and
the nectar attracts butterflies and bees
The fruit has 1 seed each and ducks enjoy eating
them.
This perennial spreads through rhizomes
Red Maple Tree
This eye appealing hardwood tree can be found in the
neighbor’s yard or in a deep wetland area. The vibrant red
leaves in the fall make it easy to spot along its favorite place
to grow, which is the banks of waterways, in swamps and
wetland areas.
 Likes full sun to partial shade and wet to moist soil. If
areas of the tree turn brown, that is a sign it is not
getting enough water.
 Large, native tree growing to 90 feet and slightly “A”
shaped
 The thin, smooth, gray bark gets thicker as the tree
ages and develops shallow fissures.
 The three pointed leaves are green above and
silverish underneath in the spring. They turn red,
yellow or orange in the fall
 In early spring small red flowers appear and then the
fruit comes. These are short lived before sprouting
new green leaves.
You will see these trees from Texas to Florida and up the East
coast. In Florida, they spread naturally and are planted to
add to an aquascape and provide color and shade.
Slash Pine Tree
Slash Pines are indigenous to Florida and are used for
reforestation projects, timber plantations, parks and buffer
plantings throughout the southeast United States.
They grow well where the rainfall averages about 50 inches a
year with a growing season of 250 days. These pines like a
variety of acidic soils in full sun or partial shade and near
lowlands, such as swamps and ponds.
 Tall - Reaches heights of 80 – 100 feet tall
 Lean – Orange/brown bark is scaly with plates
 Green – Broom of needles at the end of each branch
that may be 5 – 11 inches long
The seeds are an important food source for wild turkeys, gray
and fox squirrels. Pine woodlands provide habitat for wildlife
including whitetail deer.
We can deliver and plant in the same day. We will water in
the trees and come back to check on them. While we are
there, we will remove any unwanted weeds around the trees.
Softrush
Of the over 20 varieties of rush in Florida, this native plant is
one of the most commonly used wetland plantings. You will
find this plant in many countries around the world because of
its weather and soil tolerance. In the winter you will often see
it cut back to about 12 inches high to cut off the brown stems
and encourage new green sprout growth in the spring.
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Fast growing in heavy, wet acidic soil
Likes full sun to partial shade
Can be planted in 3 inches of water or dry to damp
soil and grow the best where is could be temporarily
flooded.
No leaves, just bright green stems
Grows up to 3 feet tall
Greenish-brown flowers and fruit grow in tight clusters
Birds and wildlife eat the seeds and use the plant for
nesting material.
Spread through underground rhizomes
You will see them growing as a single tall stem and soon form
into a clump. It is often planted in areas where the clumps
become colonies and spread along shorelines, ditches and
wetland areas.
Spadderdock
This native plant is commonly found in Florida’s waterways
and often get confused with the fragrant white water lilies.
Spatterdock has horizontal roots underwater that have stems
that shoot up to the surface to reveal heart-shaped flat floating
leaves. The roots can get to 6 inches in diameter with knotty
scars where leaves have grown.
During the summer bright yellow flowers appear slightly above
the water. The flowers emit a brandy-like odor that attracts
pollinating inserts. These water plants spread by seeds and
through upshot from the horizontal root system.
Spatterdock leaves serves as protection for fish and wildlife
that use them for homes, shade and cover from predators.
The seeds are eaten by waterfowl and small mammals and
even the occasional deer.
The large leaves also help control algae because they block
the sun from accelerating algae growth.
St. John’s Wort
This weed-like perennial plant / shrub grows fast but usually
only lives for about 6 years. It spreads by seeds in the early
fall and by way of underground runners in the fall.
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Likes full sun to partial shade
Can adapt to most any average soil
Grow up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Yellow fragrant flowers all summer long. Five petals
per flower and feathery stamens
When the flowers fade, small black seeds appear
Dark green oblong leaves have oil glands
underneath
The plant is native to Florida and often seen in upland
planted areas growing wild.
Sweetgum Tree
This beautiful tree is a popular hardwood tree that has been
used to make flooring, furniture and even paper pulp. Early
Pioneers used to peel the bark and scrape the resin-like gum
to make their version of chewing gum.
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Qualifies as a large tree because it can reach 80 to
150 feet tall
At 2 years old the gray bark will develop some round
bumps and the bark will begin to scale.
Star-shaped, shiny leaves appear in the spring that
are dark green on top and lighter underneath. When
crushed they give off an unpleasant aroma. In the fall
the leaves turn yellow, orange and red.
Fruit appears near the end of summer. Each pod
contains two black seeds. In the fall they turn into
shiny balls that fall to the ground.
This is a beneficial, native tree used in wetland areas or near
banks where it can enjoy moist soil.
Waxmyrtle
Waxmyrtle also known as bayberry or candleberry gets the
name from early colonists. They used the fruit’s waxy
covering to make fragrant bayberry candles. Crafts people
are still making candles in today’s times. The tree’s fragrant
aroma comes from oils in the tiny glands of the leaves.
Wildlife depends on the ever growing fruits to add fiber and
fats to their diets. All kinds of birds come to the thickets to
feed like bob-white quail, wild turkeys, bluebirds and more.
Wildlife scatter seeds everywhere which allows this plant to
grow in different areas.
 Evergreen v-shaped tree/shrub can reach a little
over 5 feet and doesn’t like the shade.
 Oblong leaves up to 4” long give off a fragrant aroma
when crushed or bruised. The greenish-yellow
leaves contain dotted, orange glands underneath.
 Will grow in wet to dry soil
 Fruit starts appearing in the fall and will last until
spring. They are covered in a bluish-frosty wax and
clusters of them are found on spikes on the
branches.
This popular wetland tree is used to create a border, used for
erosion control and wetland restoration projects.
Water Lily
These floating plants have large fragrant flowers and round,
flat leaves.
 Flowers are 2 to 6 inches wide and they open in early
morning and close by noon.
 The roots (rhizomes) are in the mud and send up
new stems where the leaves can reach 10 inches
across.
 They need to be planted in water that is protected
from waves and wind that can cause the leaves to
fold up and sink.
 Spatter-dock is a variety of Lily that can handle small
waves and water flow.
 They should be planted in full sun and where the
water is less than 6 feet deep.
Lilies help control algae because the large leaves help block
the sunlight and keep the algae from growing. Too much of a
good thing can take over a waterway and when that happens,
just give Aquatic Weed Control a call.