Aponogeton distachyos, also known as Water Hawthorn is an aquatic flowering plant native to South Africa’s Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces, but introduced elsewhere in quiet ponds in warm temperate to subtropical climates in winter rainfall areas. It grows in ponds and vleis which dry up in summer, becoming dormant in the dry summer and growing again when the pools fill with autumn rain. The price mentioned is for one rhizome.

It is a type of aquatic plant that grows from a tuberous rhizome. The mottled leaves float on the water’s surface on a rhizome petiole up to 1 m long; the leaf blade is thin oval, 6 – 25 cm long, and 1.5 – 7.7 cm wide, with an entire edge and parallel veins. The blooms grow on an upright spike with two branches forming a “Y” at the apex and held above the water’s surface; they are pleasantly fragrant, with one or two white petal-like perianth segments 1 – 2 cm long and six or more dark purple-brown stamens.

Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) produces pristine white blooms with a fragrant, hawthorn-like aroma in the spring. The elongated, spear-shaped leaves emerge from a submerged tuber and are mid green in colour, with burgundy spots that appear with maturity. The leaves float on the surface of the water, while the blossoms stand a few inches tall. Additional blooms frequently occur in the autumn and, on occasion, into the winter. This is one of our favourite plants since it can be used in any size pond or water feature. Water Hawthorn can withstand partial shade and sluggish running water.

Please keep in mind that this plant becomes dormant during the summer and begins to develop again in the autumn. During this latent phase, we will provide a tuber. Clumps can grow to be 1 metre across after several years; plant in groups for a more established look. Planting depth ranges between 30 and 60 cm. These are huge plants that should be planted in a mesh basket at least 22 cm in diameter.

It blossoms quite unpredictably in the UK, however the first flowers normally appear from mid-spring onwards, with a hiatus in mid-summer. Flowers may continue to emerge occasionally throughout a warm winter. Dormant plants survive the winter at the bottom of the pond in deeper water, but in colder climates, it is best to lift them and overwinter them indoors. From November through April, they might be split. Seeds can be discovered floating on the surface of the pond and seeded in the spring in approximately 3 cm of water on a peat / loam substrate at around 20°C, where they will sprout in 1 – 2 months. Plant in separate pots and grow in a protected place in shallow water for the first year.

The plant is sent bare root, which means we remove the soil before packing the plant. During the summer, we may need to clip back part of the leaves for delivery. The plants are delivered with extreme caution. We can combine postage to pay expenses in most cases if you purchase some other items as well. If you have any queries, please contact us before making your order.