Burhead: The Unsung Hero of Water Gardens
If you’re looking to add some native charm to your pond, bog garden, or rain garden, let me introduce you to burhead (Echinodorus). This humble aquatic plant might not have the flashiest name, but it’s a hardworking native that deserves a spot in more water-loving landscapes across America.
What Exactly Is Burhead?
Burhead is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to a fascinating group of aquatic plants. As a forb, it’s got that soft, non-woody stem structure that makes it perfect for wet environments. Think of it as nature’s way of creating the perfect pond-side companion – it’s built to thrive where other plants might literally get their feet too wet.
The plant produces distinctive heart-shaped to lance-shaped leaves and sends up tall spikes adorned with small, delicate white flowers. It’s the kind of plant that adds subtle elegance rather than bold drama to your garden – and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Where Does Burhead Call Home?
Here’s where it gets interesting: burhead has quite the extensive native range across the United States. You’ll find various species of Echinodorus naturally occurring throughout Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It’s also present in Hawaii, though it’s likely not native there.
This wide distribution tells us something important: burhead is incredibly adaptable and has found ways to thrive in diverse climates and conditions across the country.
Why Consider Burhead for Your Garden?
If you’re wondering whether burhead deserves a place in your landscape, here are some compelling reasons to consider it:
- True native credentials: In most areas where it grows, burhead is a genuine native plant, meaning it supports local ecosystems
- Pollinator friendly: Those small white flowers might look modest, but they’re magnets for various pollinators, including flies and small native bees
- Water garden superstar: Perfect for pond edges, bog gardens, and rain gardens where you need plants that can handle consistently wet conditions
- Low maintenance: Once established in the right conditions, burhead pretty much takes care of itself
- Wetland restoration helper: Excellent choice for restoration projects or creating wildlife habitat
Where Does Burhead Shine in Your Landscape?
Burhead isn’t going to work in your typical perennial border, but it’s absolutely perfect for specialized garden situations. Consider it for:
- Pond margins and water garden edges
- Bog gardens and wetland areas
- Rain gardens that collect runoff
- Areas with naturally poor drainage
- Wildlife habitat gardens near water features
The plant works beautifully as part of a native aquatic plant community, where it can mingle with other water-loving natives to create a naturalistic wetland feel.
Growing Burhead Successfully
The secret to happy burhead? Think wet, wet, wet. This plant has evolved to thrive in conditions that would make most garden plants throw in the trowel.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Moisture: Consistently wet to saturated soil, or shallow standing water
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (though most species prefer good light)
- Soil: Any soil type, as long as it stays consistently moist
- Planting depth: Can be grown either emergent (partially submerged) or in very wet soil
Planting and Care Tips:
Getting burhead established is refreshingly straightforward. Plant it in spring in your chosen wet location, making sure the roots have consistent access to water. If you’re planting near a pond, position it where it can have wet feet year-round.
The beauty of burhead is that once it’s happy, it requires minimal intervention. No need for fertilizing, and definitely no worrying about watering – nature usually takes care of that part!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
While burhead is generally well-behaved, it’s worth noting that like many aquatic plants, it can spread in ideal conditions. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re looking to establish a naturalistic wetland area, but keep an eye on it if space is limited.
Also, if you’re gardening in Hawaii, be aware that burhead is likely not native there, so you might want to explore native Hawaiian aquatic plants instead.
The Bottom Line on Burhead
Burhead might not be the showiest plant in the native plant world, but it’s a reliable, hardworking addition to water gardens and wet areas. If you’ve got a spot that stays consistently moist and you want to support native wildlife while creating habitat, burhead deserves serious consideration.
It’s one of those plants that reminds us that not every garden star needs to be bold and dramatic. Sometimes the quiet, dependable natives that keep the ecosystem humming along are exactly what our gardens – and local wildlife – need most.
