Pickerelweed is a native herbaceous emergent in the Pontederiaceae family. Found growing along shallow shorelines up to 4 feet tall and is found in all areas of NC. The thick rhizomes spread to form large colonies. Its preference is for freshwater depth up to 12 inches in full sun in rich loamy soils. It can tolerate part sun, poor soils, and occasional flooding up to 20 inches. The tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers last from summer through fall and attract many pollinators. They are held well above the water for a showy long season display. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is tolerant of heat. Use this plant along bogs, ponds, or streams. It can also be grown in a large container or water gardens. It is very important to maintain water depths greater than saturation, but shallower than the leaves year-round. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Cordate; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
4 to 10 in. long and 2-5 inches across basal leaves are glossy, erect, deep green, egg- to lance-shaped. Heart or wedge-shaped base with distinctive swirling; apex tapers to a point. Leaves arise directly from the rhizomes. Stem has 1 leaf similar to the basal leaves.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
3 to 6 in. densely packed spikes of bright lavender-blue tubular flowers are held well above the water and bloom from the bottom up. Individual flowers are 1/2 inch and 6-petaled with two yellow spots on the middle-upper lobe of the corolla. Flowers from summer through fall (around May to October).
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The fruit is oblong and 3-celled with one seed that has toothed ridges. Displays from June to November.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Flower stalks are light green, terete, hairless, hollow, and stout.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
E. North America to Caribbean
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Wildlife value
Butterflies and bumblebees visit the blooms for nectar. Members of the genus Pontederia support the following specialized bee: Florilegus condignus. Seeds are eaten by ducks. Under the water, the plants provide some shelter for fish. Dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs on the stems.
Attracts
Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Specialized Bees
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Seeds can be eaten raw or dried. Young leaves can be used in salads.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Pond; Riparian
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Native Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden