I don't want to go overboard here! Sisyrinchium palmifolium does grow well in this area. I have a friend who grows it fine in clay soil , not under water in summer. A bit weedy for her, especially in wet winter years like we had. Cannas are, of course, possible although you see them quite a lot bedded out. I really was looking for less tropical looking plants (no taros, colocasia etc.) to provide structure year rund with good-looking flowers. Cypella might work. Very attractive in bloom. Will they sit in water, roots at water level? Maybe Cypella aquatilis if C. coelstis does not. Of course, the Australian Crinum pedunculatum would work. I have a few. It does get pretty big, however, if it gets down into rich soil. Crinum moorei is easy, grows here in shade. But at the dege of a pond? Not sure. Or, Crinum variabile, have some of them. It does grow in streams in the 'wet' season. With belladonnas in bloom nearby, I suppose that would be a reasonable choice. No, let's stay practical! Besides, year-round appearance is not its strength. I'll also check other irises, but the news about the water irises in Louisiana going dormant after bloom is a pity. Anyhow, some food for thought. Thanks Andrew San Diego From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Peter Taggart Hi Andrew, I think the poor summer foliage might depend on the species the Iris cultivars come from, What about ensatas and the eye shadow Iris? Asiatic and American as well as African Crinum species might give you height at the margins of a pond or even in it. How fantastic to grow some of the tropical waterlillies. I think some of the bigger Dieramas might do but they get tatty in the winter, bannas or Cannas? some Moreas are pretty big and like water also Cypella? and South Americans - Neomarica?? Sisyrinchium palmifolium? Best of luck Peter (UK) On Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 10:05 PM, AW <awilson@avonia.com> wrote: > I'll consider it, Peter, now that I have a better idea about what they > look like in summer. I had originally planned on groups along the > margin providing height all year to contrast with waterlilies (hardy > and tropical) and 'surface' genera. There are plenty of taller water > species but I had hoped to include irid members since there are > bulbous irid species near the pond (Watsonias, Crocosomias, Dietes, > etc.). Maybe there are some South African waterplants that could serve > the purpose. Watsonia tabularis is tall, at least for part of the > year, likes moist ground but is hardly a water plant. > > Andrew > San Diego