The Pretty Purple 'Weed' That Will Attract Birds & Pollinators To Your Yard

While most people hate to see weeds anywhere near their property, there is one kind you might actually want to consider growing. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is an herbaceous perennial that is native to freshwater marshes, ponds, and shallow shorelines. It is attractive, low maintenance, and can be beneficial to your garden and the environment.

Pickerelweed has lush green foliage and delicate purple flower spikes that bloom from summer through fall. It is ideal for backyard ponds and water gardens and grows happily in garden containers. The plant's flower produces abundant nectar, which will attract natural pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Its flowers often have small visual markings, also called nectar guides, which help lead pollinators to the food source. Pickerelweed will also bring birds to your garden as they like to hunt for insects in its thick foliage. While standing water often attracts mosquitoes, this weed can be a solution as its stems offer shelter for dragonflies and damselflies, which feed on the pests. As an emergent plant, pickerelweed roots in the soil underwater, with its foliage above the surface. In water-based environments, it stabilizes soil and absorbs excess nutrients, preventing algae blooms. Pickerelweed also offers shelter for fish and other aquatic life, making it a valuable addition to ponds.

Pickerelweed grows in USDA zones 3 to 10 and thrives in full sun to partial shade. If you're planting it in a natural setting, prepare the area by removing debris and loosening the soil to aid root penetration. Plant each pickerelweed so that the roots are covered but the crown is exposed, then cover the soil with a layer of small rocks. This will anchor the plant in place and prevent soil erosion.

If you're planting pickerelweed in containers, fill them with heavy, clay-based soil or loam to keep it from floating. Then, plant each pickerelweed the same way you would as if you were planting it in the ground and submerge the pot in water. Pickerelweeds spread over time, so each plant should be placed about 12 to 18 inches apart. You can encourage growth by applying a slow-release aquatic fertilizer.

Once the pickerelweed is established, you will find that it is a low-maintenance plant that hardly needs any attention to thrive. The most important thing to maintain is the water level. A depth of 6 to 12 inches is ideal in ponds. If it's planted in soil, it must stay saturated to mimic its native environment. Pickerelweed is drought-tolerant, but prolonged dryness will stunt growth. Regular deadheading and pruning its leaves will encourage blooming and new growth.