Water Hawthorn Plant – A Unique Aquatic Gem for Your Pond

Water gardening is one of the most fun and rewarding of hobbies, thanks to the abundant aesthetic qualities of aquatic plants. Of the many specimen available to gardeners, water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) is one of the most alluring and adaptable plants one can introduce to a pond or other water feature. Its white flowers and sweet-smelling blooms, refreshing nature and beautiful foliage are just a few of the reasons why water hawthorn is the hidden jewel of aquatic plants. This guide will take you through everything a gardener needs to know about water hawthorn in order to care for it and enjoy the many advantages it has to offer.

What is Water Hawthorn?

Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) is a perennial aquatic plant native to South Africa, where it grows in cool, slow-moving water. Like other plant species, it possesses scientific and common names. One planted channel: water hyacinth. The water hawthorn belongs to the family Aponogetonaceae, which includes several genera and species of aquatic plants. Botanists have additionally given it several common names, such as Cape pondweed or water bloem, while in the Western world, it is often mistaken for water hyacinth (not to be confused with the invasive water hyacinth species of Eurasia that chokes waterways across the tropics).

One of the most distinctive features of water hawthorn is its long, narrow leaves that lie flat upon the water surface. The leaves are dark green, and can extend up to a foot in length, creating a remarkable lush carpet upon the surface of your pond. But it is the flowers of water hawthorn that capture the fascination of all flowers are small, star-shaped, and white with a bit of pink or purple. Slender stems arise above the surface of the water, carrying the tiny flowers high above the waterline. Because of their delicate appearance and vanilla-scented fragrance, they are especially aromatic early in the morning and late in the evening hours.

Growing Conditions for Water Hawthorn

Water hawthorn is a plant that adapts well to a lot of different growing conditions, but still needs the right growing environment in order to thrive.

Water Temperature

Water hawthorn also has the unusual habit of preferring below-70-degree water temperatures. Most aquatics thrive in the warmer waters of mid-summer, but water hawthorn does best growing in temperatures of 50°F to 68°F (10°C to 20°C) – making it a good choice when water temperatures become warmer than most other aquatic plants in early spring, and when they drop again in late fall. In some climates, water hawth during mild winters.

Sunlight

Water hawthorn need partial shade; for best growth, they should receive a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. Partial shade is perfectly acceptable, so they can be used in very appealing fashion in partially shaded ponds, for example under trees or even under bridges.

Water Depth and Quality

Water hawthorn plants can tolerate both shallow water depth – as little as 6 inches (15 cm) – and deep water, as much as 24 inches (60 cm), but 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) is ideal for most ponds. Water should be of low nutrient levels so it doesn’t create significant algae blooms. The plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.

Planting and Propagation

You can grow water hawthorn right in the substrate at the bottom of your pond, or put it in containers filled with aquatic planting media. Make sure such containers are big enough to fit the root mass, and have holes in the bottom for drainage.

To plant it, simply put the tuber or rhizome in the planting media and place the growing point upward. If planting in a container, simply spread a small layer of gravel over the rhizome to prevent it from floating away. Then lower the pot into the pond water. Water hawthorn can also be propagated by dividing tubers and rhizomes. This is best done in early spring or early fall when the plant is actively growing.

Caring for Water Hawthorn

Once it’s planted, water hawthorn is a mostly ‘hands-off’ plant. A few simple tasks will go a long way towards keeping your plant healthy and flowering well.

Feeding

Water hawthorn doesn’t need a whole lot of nutrition and shouldn’t be fertilised regularly. The excessive fertilisation that encourages lush foliage in agriculture can, in water, support pesky algae that can harm the plant. If you choose to use fertiliser, make it a slow-release specialty aquatic plant product, and apply sparingly during the growing season. Or consider where and how you apply material for nutrients: composted leaves or tablets of aquatic plants work well.

Pruning and Deadheading

You’ll need to remove any dead or yellowing leaves frequently, as floating leaves can cause an organic build-up in the pond that can adversely affect the water quality, as well as regularly deadhead spent flowers to ensure they continue to bloom for as long as possible.

Overwintering

In areas with mild winters, the water hawthorn can stay in the pond year-round. But if your pond is in a cooler climate and can freeze, winter protection is advised. If you can reach deep enough into the pond, you can relocate the plant to the deepest area, which is less likely to freeze. Alternatively, the tubers (for Nuphar species) or rhizome (for Victoria species) can be dug up out of the pond and stored in a cool, damp place (a basement might work) until the next spring.

Pest and Disease Control

Resistant to pests and diseases, water hawthorn is one of the easy-care plants you can find for your pond. The biggest problem it is prone to is snails or aphids, which feed on its leaves. You can easily remove these pests by hand, or use an organic sparkling insecticide that is safe on aquatic plants.

Benefits of Water Hawthorn in Your Pond

But beyond the beauty of water hawthorn, this selection also brings a number of benefits to your pond ecosystem. The following article highlights some of the benefits of adding water hawthorn to your very own water garden.

Natural Filtration

Water hawthorn plants draw excess nutrients from the water and help to prevent algae blooms, which can kill other aquatic plants. At the same time, a plant’s roots provide habitat for beneficial soil organisms, which help to break down organic matter in the pond or lake.

Shelter and Habitat

The shade provided by the pendant leaves of water hawthorn not only shelters fish and other aquatic life, but it’s also very important in ponds that get direct sunlight to control fluctuations in water temperature, which lessens stress on fish. Furthermore, the dense foliage offers fish and other pond critters a hiding place, which can be very helpful for supporting an abundance of life in your pond.

Seasonal Interest

The real bonus with water hawthorn is that it flowers in the cooler months while many other aquatic plants start their winter hibernation. You could have your pond in bloom from spring through to autumn and well into late fall. This means it wouldn’t just be a part of your garden with interest only in the growing season, it would offer up a completely new feature in the fall. Its scent is strongly pleasant, sweet, with a little acidic touch. It is perfect for gardens too as it releases its floral aroma into the air, filling your garden with amazing scents.

Low Maintenance

For those gardeners interested in low-maintenance trees and plants, water hawthorn is an excellent choice as it, once established, needs minimal care. Its pest and disease resistance, tolerant of rich or poor soil and a variety of water temperatures, water hawthorn makes an excellent choice for any pond.