Caltha palustris var. alba

Caltha palustris var. alba is an aquatic herbaceous, rhizomatous plant that grows on the edges of water and banks. It is very hardy and one of the first spring flowers in ponds and watercourses. The White Marsh Marigold produces excellent, simple, white flowers in full sun. Each flower has a large cluster of yellow stamens, which are useful for many pollinating insects in early spring. It can be grown in any good garden soil as long as there is sufficient moisture.

In a small rounded clump of 30cm (12in), the White Marsh Marigold is a remarkable accent plant, ideal for the banks of a water feature such as a pond, lake or even a natural swimming pool and ensuring a smooth transition with the rest of the garden. Its heart-shaped shiny leaves are dark green, deciduous, wide and thick, contrasting beautifully with its imposing white flowers.

Marsh Marigold belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is native to temperate regions of the north (Europe and America) where it grows in wet environments: ditch edges, streams, marshes and wet meadows. The genus name Caltha comes from the Greek word calathos, which means basket, referring to the shape of the flowers.

Technically, your pond can maintain its balance (i.e. clear water) by combining the following trio: floating plants (Water Lily and Nymph), submerged plants with strong oxygenating power (Water Crowfoot, Pondweed and Water Lettuce), with shallow-water plants on the edge (Japanese Iris, Fern and Horsetail).

Green the banks with more sophisticated and sculptural plants to create an enchanting tableau, such as Virginia Sweetspire Little Henry (a small white fragrant bush), Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus grass), and Japanese Cobra Lily (a flower to be installed as a "buoy").