Pickerel Weed
Pontederia cordata
Also known as
Wampee, Heart-Leaved Pickerel Weed, Pickerel Rush
Pontederia cordata 4 PP by Cephas (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Frequent watering
Frost Hardy
8a
USDA zone
-12°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
2m | Max | 1m |
1m | Min | 50cm |
7 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance


More images of Pickerel Weed
Pickerel Weed Overview
Pontederia cordata is a clump-forming aquatic marginal species, often planted in water features ponds. It typically grows to a height of around 1.2m, producing lance to oval-shaped foliage and attractive tubular purple-blue flowers. Leaves measure approximately 18cm long and the flowers are borne on spikes up to 15cm tall. Flowering occurs in the summer, grow in full sun for optimal results. Although a highly prized plant in a contained space, it can easily become invasive. In South Africa it is listed as problematic in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Common problems with Pickerel Weed
Generally problem free.
How to propagate Pickerel Weed
Division
Divide clumps in late spring.
Seed
Special features of Pickerel Weed
Wet sites
Tolerant of low soil oxygen, often found in areas where water levels fluctuate naturally, with spring flooding and later summer emergence.
Attracts useful insects
Lovely hunting scouting site for dragon flies.
Attractive flowers
Attractive leaves
Other uses of Pickerel Weed
Aquatic, semi-aquatic, bog, ornamental, foliage