Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata is an emergent aquatic plant (12” – 36”) with heart-shaped leaves and blue to purple flowers that rise above the water surface. It occurs naturally in the shallow waters of marshes, ditches, lakes, ponds and other wetlands across south Louisiana.
Pickerelweed blooms May – October; flowers provide nectar for native bees and butterflies. Seeds are eaten by waterfowl, Muskrat, and Nutria. Pickerelweed is an excellent plant for wetland gardens, ponds and other quiet waterbodies. Use it on sites with wet to moist soils exposed to full sun or part-shade.