Pond Shrubs

River Birch Fox Valley

• You can use the Fox Valley cultivar of the river birch (Betula nigra) as a shrub for mass plantings near a pond. Fox Valley grows to 12 feet on occasion, but the shrub has many stems. The highlight of this shrub is its orange/brown bark, which resembles that of the tree form of the species in that it peels away to show off the lighter layers underneath. Fox Valley works well next to a pond, especially when planted near trees with darker foliage as a backdrop.

Corkwood

• Cultivated versions of corkwood (Leitneria floridana) grow only to between 3 and 12 feet, but those found in the wild attain 25 feet sometimes. Corkwood is able to grow near freshwater ponds and next to brackish ones as well. Corkwood's foliage is its main selling point; it stays green deep into the fall season and the elliptical leaves emerge at the ends of the branches. Corkwood has no problem living in standing water if a pond happens to overspill its banks for a bit after heavy rains.

Smooth Witherod Winterthur

• The greenish leaves of the Winterthur hybrid of smooth witherod (Viburnum nudum) are glossier than those of the parent species. This shrub grows only to 6 feet, making it half the size of the regular smooth witherod. Winterthur has multiple stems and fragrant white flowers growing in flat clusters during April and May. Use this shrub near a pond in full sun or some shade. Winterthur produces groups of colorful berries in autumn.

Japanese Fantail Willow Sekka

• Contorted and flattened branchlets are a feature of the Japanese fantail willow cultivar called Sekka. This shrub is a fit for ponds, adapted to wet areas and able to grow in partly shady or sunny sites. Sekka grows as tall as 15 feet, but expands outward from its base as wide as 20 feet. The leaves, narrow and as long as 2 inches, have a silvery gleam on the undersides, but are green above.