Aponogeton distachyos
water hawthorn
Overview
Aponogeton distachyos is a deciduous aquatic perennial grown in still or slow-moving water 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) deep, rooted in mud from a tuber. It produces floating, oblong leaves 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) long on long stalks, forming loose rafts on the surface. From autumn through spring it carries forked, V-shaped flower spikes that lift just above the water, lined with small waxy white flowers marked by black anthers. The flowers carry a sweet, vanilla-like scent that is strongest on still days. Unlike water lilies, it flowers in the cool months and goes dormant in the heat of summer, when the leaves may die back. Plants establish and spread within one to two seasons. Aponogeton distachyos grows in full sun to part shade in ponds and tubs with a still surface and tolerates cool water. It self-seeds and spreads by tuber, and in mild climates it has naturalized and is treated as a weed in some waterways. Summer dormancy leaves the water surface bare for part of the year. Moving water and deep shade reduce flowering.
Native Range
Aponogeton distachyos is native to the Cape region of South Africa, where it grows in seasonal pools, ponds, and slow streams. It has naturalized in parts of Europe, Australia, South America, and the western United States.Suggested Uses
Grown in garden ponds, pools, and large water tubs for cool-season flowers and surface cover, with one tuber per 10-15 square feet (1-1.4 sq m) of surface. Used for flowering interest when water lilies are dormant. Planted in still water near paths and seating where the scent carries.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through the cool months, mainly autumn to spring, pausing in midwinter cold and again in summer heat. The forked white spikes are fragrant and last for several weeks at a time. In mild climates scattered bloom continues over much of the year.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with black anthersFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in a pond or tub in full sun to part shade, with the tuber in mud under 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) of still water. Set the tuber in an aquatic basket of heavy loam topped with gravel and lower it into place. Thin the leaves and seed heads if the plant spreads beyond its space, as it self-seeds freely. The foliage dies back in summer heat and regrows as the water cools. Moving water and deep shade reduce flowering and weaken growth. Crowded tubers are lifted and divided in autumn to keep the planting open.Pruning
Remove yellowing leaves and spent flower spikes as they appear to keep the water surface clear. Thin congested growth and seed heads in autumn to limit self-seeding. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons