Pickerel Weed’
FAMILY: Pontederia
USES: Striking leafy foliage and a large colourful stand of purplish blue flowers. A good transition plant in the marginal areas between land and water. Provides a tropical effect. Does well in containers or pots. Looks good in or near the margins of streams, ponds, lakes, water features as an accent, en masse and for bank stabilisation.
SIZE: Growth is variable and ranges from 0.5 – 0.75m in height and spread at a rate of 25 – 60cm p/a.
LOCATION: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers early morning sun with protection from full midday and afternoon summer sun.
SOIL: Best in an organically enriched medium to heavy loam with poor to no drainage. Soil must be kept consistently wet. pH 5.6 – 7.8 acidic to mildly alkaline .
FERTILISER: Apply a 10:15:10 NPK every three to four months. Remove the flower spikes before flowering to help contain the plant if required.
WATER: Fresh water preferred. Do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Not drought tolerant. Change the water for container plants every two months or so.
Wahat Al Sahraa Nurseries, Al Amardi St., Al Khawaneej, P.O. Box 37579, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
