Marshes, pond edges and river backwaters host a surprising mix of plants that shape wildlife habitat and seasonal color. A short walk along a marsh trail reveals floating pads, tall stalks and delicate blooms that tell you a lot about water, soil and light at each site.
There are 40 wetland flowers, ranging from American lotus to Yellow pond-lily. Each entry is listed with Scientific name,Habitat,Bloom time (months) and a brief note on appearance and placement—you’ll find below.
How can I quickly identify wetland flowers in the field?
Start by noting habitat (standing vs. flowing water, depth and substrate), leaf shape and arrangement, and bloom time—use the list below to match those details. Carry a small field guide or use a plant ID app for photos, and take close shots of flowers, leaves and the plant’s base for later verification.
When is the best time to visit wetlands to see most blooms?
Visit from late spring through mid-summer for peak diversity, but check the Bloom time (months) column in the list for species that flower earlier or later; seasonal water levels also change what’s visible, so low water can expose more shoreline plants while high water favors floating species.
Wetland Flowers
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Bloom time (months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickerelweed | Pontederia cordata | Marsh, shore, pond edges | Jun–Aug |
| Cardinal flower | Lobelia cardinalis | Marsh, swamp, shore | Jul–Sep |
| Blue lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | Marsh, wet meadows, streambanks | Jul–Sep |
| Swamp rose-mallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | Marsh, pond edges, swampy meadows | Jul–Sep |
| Water lily | Nymphaea odorata | Ponds, slow lakes, marshy shorelines | Jun–Aug |
| Yellow pond-lily | Nuphar lutea | Ponds, slow rivers, marshy shorelines | Jun–Aug |
| American lotus | Nelumbo lutea | Shorelines, ponds, slow rivers | Jun–Aug |
| Marsh marigold | Caltha palustris | Marsh, bog margins, streambanks | Apr–Jun |
| Purple loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | Marsh, river margins, wet meadows | Jun–Sep |
| Tufted loosestrife | Lysimachia thyrsiflora | Marsh, fen, pond margins | Jun–Aug |
| Common arrowhead (Wapato) | Sagittaria latifolia | Marsh, shallow water, pond edges | Jun–Aug |
| Marsh cinquefoil | Comarum palustre | Bog, fen, marsh margins | Jun–Aug |
| Swamp milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Marsh, wet meadows, streambanks | Jun–Aug |
| Joe-Pye weed | Eutrochium purpureum | Marsh, wet meadows, ditches | Jul–Sep |
| Boneset | Eupatorium perfoliatum | Marsh, wet meadows, streambanks | Jul–Sep |
| Blue flag iris | Iris versicolor | Marsh, wet meadows, pond margins | May–Jul |
| Yellow flag iris | Iris pseudacorus | Marsh, riverbanks, pond edges | May–Jul |
| Water plantain | Alisma plantago-aquatica | Marsh, pond margins, shallow water | Jun–Aug |
| Water crowfoot | Ranunculus aquatilis | Ponds, slow streams, marshes | May–Aug |
| Water smartweed | Persicaria amphibia | Marsh, pond margins, wet ditches | Jun–Sep |
| Swamp rose | Rosa palustris | Swamp edges, marshy thickets | Jun–Jul |
| Bogbean | Menyanthes trifoliata | Bog pools, fens, marshy shores | May–Jul |
| Bog rosemary | Andromeda polifolia | Acid bogs, peatlands | May–Jun |
| Bog laurel | Kalmia polifolia | Peat bogs, acidic wetlands | May–Jun |
| Purple pitcher plant | Sarracenia purpurea | Bog pools, bog margins | May–Jul |
| Round-leaved sundew | Drosera rotundifolia | Bogs, wet heaths | May–Aug |
| Butterwort | Pinguicula vulgaris | Bogs, fens, damp rock ledges | May–Jul |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium oxycoccos | Acid bogs, peatlands | Jun–Aug |
| Large cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | Bogs, shallow ponds | Aug–Sep |
| Bog orchid (Rose pogonia) | Pogonia ophioglossoides | Bog, fen margins | May–Jul |
| Showy lady’s slipper | Cypripedium reginae | Swamps, wet forested bogs | May–Jun |
| Flowering rush | Butomus umbellatus | Shallow water, pond margins, ditches | Jun–Aug |
| Water forget-me-not | Myosotis scorpioides | Streambanks, damp meadows, marshes | May–Aug |
| Swamp sunflower | Helianthus angustifolius | Marsh, wet meadows, ditches | Jul–Sep |
| Blue vervain | Verbena hastata | Marsh, wet meadows, streambanks | Jul–Sep |
| Marsh St. John’s-wort | Hypericum virginicum | Marsh, wet meadows, shallow ditches | Jul–Sep |
| Marsh pea | Lathyrus palustris | Marsh, wet meadows, bog margins | Jun–Aug |
| Sweetflag | Acorus calamus | Marsh, pond margins, wet ditches | May–Jun |
| Water dock | Rumex hydrolapathum | Marsh, river margins, pond edges | Jul–Sep |
| Water hemlock | Cicuta maculata | Marsh, wet meadows, streambanks | Jun–Aug |
Images and Descriptions
Pickerelweed
Spiky clusters of blue-violet flowers on upright stems, often forming dense colonies along shallow water edges. Native to eastern North America and excellent for rain gardens, it attracts bees and waterfowl and is easy to grow in full sun.
Cardinal flower
Striking red tubular flowers on tall spikes that attract hummingbirds; leaves are lance-shaped and bright green. Native to much of North America, it prefers consistently moist soils and part sun to shade in garden plantings.
Blue lobelia
Clumps of deep blue to violet tubular flowers on erect spikes, favored by bees and butterflies. Native to eastern North America, it tolerates standing water and is a great choice for moist borders and naturalized wet areas.
Swamp rose-mallow
Large, showy pink to white hibiscus flowers sit atop robust stems, creating a dramatic wetland display. Native to eastern North America, it thrives in full sun and shallow water, popular in wildlife-friendly gardens.
Water lily
Floating round leaves with fragrant white to pink flowers that open on calm water surfaces. Native to North America, water lilies provide shade for aquatic life and are classic choices for garden ponds and wetland restoration.
Yellow pond-lily
Large floating leaves and cup-shaped yellow flowers above the water; sometimes called spatterdock. Native to Europe and parts of North America, it stabilizes shallow shores and supports aquatic insects and fish.
American lotus
Impressive, large pale-yellow to cream flowers above circular leaves on long stalks. Native to North America, lotus is prized for its bold tropical look in shallow ponds and provides habitat for insects and birds.
Marsh marigold
Shiny yellow buttercup-like flowers in spring atop glossy green leaves. Native across temperate Northern Hemisphere wetlands, it’s an early nectar source and ideal for wet garden edges and spring displays.
Purple loosestrife
Tall spikes of magenta-purple flowers that create striking summer color. Native to Eurasia and invasive in some regions, it spreads readily in wetlands—identify and manage accordingly but recognize it in many wetland plant lists.
Tufted loosestrife
Dense clusters of yellow star-like flowers on upright stems over glossy leaves. Found across northern wetlands in Eurasia and North America, it prefers shallow water and is good for pollinators in moist gardens.
Common arrowhead (Wapato)
White three-petaled flowers atop arrow-shaped leaves; tuberous roots were a traditional food (wapato). Native across North America, it is useful in natural ponds and shallow margins and attracts waterfowl.
Marsh cinquefoil
Deep magenta to purple star-like flowers with jagged petals above aromatic foliage. Native to northern wetlands, it forms low mats in boggy areas and adds bold color to acidic, peaty soils.
Swamp milkweed
Clusters of fragrant pink to rose flowers that are a monarch butterfly magnet. Native to eastern North America, it likes consistently moist soil and is favored in pollinator and rain gardens.
Joe-Pye weed
Tall, rounded clusters of mauve-pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Native to eastern North America, its height and late-season blooms suit large wetland borders and naturalized plantings.
Boneset
Flat-topped clusters of white, fragrant flowers above a distinctive joined leaf stem. Native across eastern North America, it favors saturated soils and supports late-summer pollinators in wetland zones.
Blue flag iris
Iris with showy blue to violet falls and intricate markings; sword-like leaves form clumps. Native to North American wetlands, it’s a classic water garden plant tolerating shallow water and seasonal flooding.
Yellow flag iris
Bold yellow iris with large flowers and tall foliage; highly adaptable. Native to Europe and Asia and invasive in some areas, it thrives in shallow water and provides dramatic color in wetland plantings.
Water plantain
Loose panicles of small white to pink-tinged flowers above rosettes of strap-shaped leaves. Widespread in temperate wetlands, it tolerates fluctuant water levels and suits naturalized pond edges.
Water crowfoot
Delicate white buttercup flowers atop finely divided submerged leaves. Common in temperate freshwater bodies, it forms mats under the surface and blooms in late spring to summer, improving habitat complexity.
Water smartweed
Spikes of pink or white knotweed flowers on stems that may root at nodes. Widespread and variable, it colonizes wet ground and shallow water, useful for erosion control and pollinators in wet gardens.
Swamp rose
Small pale pink roses with fragrant petals on arching stems, often in dense thickets. Native to eastern North America, it tolerates standing water and provides nectar and hips for wildlife.
Bogbean
Clusters of fringed white to pink flowers atop trifoliate glossy leaves. A classic bog plant across the Northern Hemisphere, it prefers acidic, peaty soils and adds delicate texture and fragrance to bog gardens.
Bog rosemary
Small clusters of bell-shaped pale pink flowers over narrow evergreen leaves. Native to northern bogs, it’s an acid-soil specialist, offering subtle color and low shrub structure in true bog conditions.
Bog laurel
Cup-shaped pink flowers with distinctive markings on a low evergreen shrub. Native to northern bogs, it thrives in acidic, nutrient-poor peat and adds compact color and structure to wild bog habitats.
Purple pitcher plant
Unique vase-shaped reddish pitchers that trap insects; produces nodding maroon flowers above the pitchers. A hallmark carnivorous bog plant of eastern North America, it’s fascinating for naturalists and bog gardeners.
Round-leaved sundew
Tiny carnivorous rosettes with sticky, glistening tentacles and delicate white to pink flowers. Common in nutrient-poor bogs across the north, it’s small but striking and indicative of healthy bog ecosystems.
Butterwort
Rosettes of sticky leaves that trap tiny insects; solitary pale purple to pink flowers on short stalks. Found in cool, moist habitats across the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a favorite among bog enthusiasts.
Cranberry
Low trailing shrub with pink bell-shaped flowers and edible red berries; forms dense mats. A classic bog plant native to northern peatlands, it’s cultivated for fruit and valued in natural bog restorations.
Large cranberry
Similar to V. oxycoccos but with larger berries and showy white-pink flowers in spring. Native to North American bogs, grown commercially and in wild harvests, it needs acidic, consistently wet peat soils.
Bog orchid (Rose pogonia)
Single delicate pink to rose-lavender flowers on slim stems above grassy foliage; fragrant and eye-catching. Found in eastern North American bogs, it signals intact peat habitats and attracts orchid enthusiasts.
Showy lady’s slipper
Large white and pink slipper-shaped flowers on sturdy stems with pleated leaves. A rare and celebrated bog orchid of northern wetlands, it prefers cool, calcareous peat and benefits from careful protection.
Flowering rush
Umbels of rose-pink flowers atop triangular stems rising from rhizomes. Native to Eurasia and invasive in some regions, it forms clumps in shallow water and is notable for its striking spring-summer blooms.
Water forget-me-not
Small sky-blue five-petaled flowers in loose clusters that carpet damp ground. Native to Europe and introduced elsewhere, it’s charming in shallow water margins and cottage-style wet gardens.
Swamp sunflower
Bright yellow daisy-like flower heads on tall stems, creating late-summer color. Native to eastern U.S. coastal wetlands, it tolerates salt spray and standing water, supporting pollinators and birds.
Blue vervain
Tall spires of small deep violet flowers that attract pollinators in large numbers. Native across North American wetlands, it’s hardy, tolerant of flooding, and useful in naturalized damp plantings.
Marsh St. John’s-wort
Yellow star-like flowers atop branching stems with narrow leaves; forms colonies in wet soils. Found in eastern North America, it’s useful for adding bright midsummer color to soggy garden areas.
Marsh pea
Vining or sprawling plant with pea-shaped pink to purple flowers and tendrils, often forming mats. Native to northern wetlands, it prefers saturated soils and adds delicate legume blooms to moist habitats.
Sweetflag
Aromatic sword-like leaves with a short spadix-like flower stalk; flowers are inconspicuous but present. A wetland perennial native to Eurasia and parts of North America, used historically for scent and water-edge planting.
Water dock
Tall plants with clusters of reddish-green flowers that later produce papery seeds; large leaves near the base. Native to European and some temperate wetlands, useful for damp borders and erosion control.
Water hemlock
Umbels of white flowers reminiscent of carrot-family plants; stems often have purple spots. Highly toxic if ingested; native to North American wetlands—important to recognize for safety and identification.
