My grandather, Albert Behnke, used to raise goldfish in this pond, along with water lilies, for sale at the garden center. Mom said she used to love seeing the beautiful blooms and they loved to watch the frogs.
Water Hyacinths, Water Lettuce, Water Lilies – Water Plants Everywhere!
According to Behnkes Aquatics Manager Bill Watts, water hyacinths and water lettuces are flying off the shelves this time of year. But for pond-owners lucky enough to have ponds in the sun, the real scene-stealers have gotta be hardy water lilies and lotuses. Above are some lotuses at their peak at the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden in D.C. during their Water Lily Festival in July. And below, water lilies.

Bill tells me his department also carries a whole slew of cool bog plants.
But guess what else people are buying for their ponds – snails and tadpoles! Bill says they’re great at keeping ponds clean. (All news to this nonpond gardener!)
Posted by Susan Harris. Frog photo by DGPhilly. Water lily photo by Cassey.
just a quick fyi – the top photo is actually showing Lotus in bloom at Kenilworth not water lilies.