Aponogeton distachyos

Aponogeton distachyos is a magnificent aquatic plant with floating leaves that fan out around the flowers. The large white fleshy bracts reveal a vanilla scent in the evening. This plant develops and blooms out of season. Its magnificent flowering resembles orchids, and it shines during the short days of the year, especially in late winter. Original and of great beauty, it can be used in small ponds as well as large areas or large colonies for a shady pond where water lilies fail.

The fragrant water hawthorn belongs to the family of Aponogetonaceae. It is native to South Africa and was introduced to Europe in the 17th century. It has escaped into the wild and has become naturalised in Australia and more locally in France and England. It is an aquatic plant that grows from a tuberous rhizome. It forms clumps 80 cm (32in) in diameter, emerging from 10 cm (4in) above the water. From late spring to autumn, and sometimes in winter, flower spikes appear just above the surface, in the shape of a Y, with a length of 6 cm (2in), with a vanilla and hawthorn scent, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long. The very fragrant flowers attract thousands of bees. Initially white and waxy, they turn green with age and curve downwards to plunge into the water, where the fruit ripens. The plant usually goes dormant in summer. During a mild winter, flowers can continue to appear intermittently. The leaves of the water hawthorn are initially submerged, then floating, and have a petiole 50 to 200 cm (20 to 79in) long. They are dark green, 6 to 25 cm (2 to 10in) long and 1.5 to 7.7 cm (1 to 3in) wide, oblong, ribbed, glabrous and smooth on the upper surface, rough on the lower surface, with a long sheathing petiole. The foliage is evergreen.

The water hawthorn enjoys sunlight but tolerates shade perfectly. It prefers fresh and calm water, is sensitive to frost, and its hardiness reaches -10 °C (14°F). To grow water hawthorn, it is best to plant it below the freezing water level during winter. If this is not possible, rhizomes can be dug up and kept frost-free in a container filled with water. The plant usually grows in calm waters of ponds in subtropical climates, where winter and autumn precipitation are significant, and summer dries up water points. If planted in a shady area, it will bloom from April until the first frost. Koi carp are attracted to the fragrant water hawthorn, so it is advisable to protect young plants from fish using a physical barrier, such as a mesh.

The water hawthorn has a lovely fragrance and is an excellent choice for ponds that don't get enough sunlight for water lilies. It's best suited for medium to large ponds and can be used alone or with Thalia to cover the ground. Be careful not to plant it too close to water lilies, as its dense foliage can suffocate them. This plant blooms in a unique way compared to other plants in its natural habitat. Schizostylis also grows by the pond's edge.