Powdery Alligator-flag – Thalia dealbata

Thalia dealbata is a marginal aquatic with upright, paddle-shaped leaves carrying a soft, powdery bloom. Slender flower stems rise above the foliage with clusters of small purple flowers. Its bold leaf shape looks particularly effective reflected in still water or set against finer waterside planting. It offers the exuberance of a canna in a plant suited to a sunny pond margin.

Growing conditions:
Grow in a basket of fertile aquatic soil at a sunny pond edge, with up to about 15 cm of water over the soil. Protect the rhizome from freezing in winter, moving the basket under frost-free cover in colder areas.

Maximum size:
Approximately 150–250 cm tall including flower stems and 50–100 cm wide.