Water Willow

Water Willow- Justicia Americana is a Perennial Plant

Water Willow - Justicia Americana. In nature, this perennial plant grows alongside rivers and lakes. This plant prefers wet soil and partial sun and can grow in sandy and clay soil. They typically grow to be about three feet tall and long, narrow leaves. When it flowers, the blossoms resemble orchids with their five-petal shape and white and violet coloration. The flowers bloom from April to October. In North America, this plant can be found as far south as Florida, as far north as Quebec, as far east as New York state, and as far west as Texas.

Justice Americana has multiple stalks about one-quarter of an inch in thickness, with six inches, sword-shaped, medium green leaves at regular intervals.

 Justicia Americana- Water Willow Grows alongside the River and Lakes

 Leaves may be single protrusions or may be paired on either side of the growth segment. Each leave is only about an inch in width. The cluster flowers of the water willow are on long, thin stems, which are much smaller in diameter than the stalks that hold the leaves. The flowers themselves, which somewhat resemble tiny orchids, range in color from white to shades of pink, purple and violet. The plants bloom from April to October. This plant grows best in the moist or wet soil, particularly near or under water, and it prefers sandy loam or clay in which to build.

Justicia Americana- Water Willow can be found all along the east coast of the United States as far west as Kansas and as far south as Florida, and ranging north as far as into Quebec and Ontario, Canada. The water willow is food for the Texas Crescentspot butterfly but is considered goose resistant and mildly deer resistant. It is a colonizing plant, using underground stems to spread across the available area. A single colony over time can grow over an area as large as one thousand square feet. It is excellent at erosion control and also does well in areas with frequent water fluctuation.

   The Water Willow Plant is a species of perennial wildflower that is native to Illinois. This species most often found in wetland areas that are close to streams and shallow bodies of water. With that said, these plants survive best in areas with full or partial sun and very wet soil. The best soil type to the Water Willow is sandy or gravelly and should have excess water that is roughly 3 inches deep. 

When it comes to appearance, the Water Willow Plant is a light green species that blooms small flowers that look similar to those of an orchid. The flowers can range in color anywhere from pale lavender to dark purple. 

 This species is reasonably simple to plant as well as maintain. It is recommended to use a planting bag or even a floating planting container due to the need for a wet soil environment. Once the Water Willows planted, it requires little maintenance. Just ensure that the planting container is filled with water to prevent the plants from wilting. 

 These are the best fit for a pond or stream garden setting. Water Willow often placed at the edge of a garden pond for added decor and to prevent soil erosion.

Flowing off of each light green stem are wispy, medium green leaves that display a distinctive long white vein running down their center offering a soft contrasting color scheme and a wispy feel when the slightest breeze lifts their slender branches to your garden. Adding an elegant touch to these breezy plants are the beautiful white flowers that rest atop the long willowy stems. Each flower is graced with light lavender to deep purple and sometimes almost black spots, which are scattered on the tips of each petal, adding, even more, beauty to this perennial. Because the flowers continuously bloom throughout the summer months until early fall, this plant not only offers long-lasting beauty, it also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. An easy to care for the plant, the Water Willow has a rhizomatous root system that allows it to quickly multiply without the need of the gardener's consistent attention. Situated amongst dense plants, this perennial can give a more spacious feel to the garden. American Water Willow prefers to be planted standing water or sandy soil to grow correctly. American Water Willow flowers begin to bloom in the early parts of summer and are found in pretty violet and purple colors. They are located at the edges of lakes marches swamps and event streams. They prefer standing water or sandy soil to grow correctly and add a great structure and splash of color to any water garden. A plant like this is also a great plant to use for preventing soil erosion.

The Water Willow Plant typically grows near streams and other water sources. The plant can reach heights of about three feet. You'll usually find the Water Willow Plant in clusters as it tends to thrive off of the nutrients of the same type of plant. When looking at the plant, you'll see that there are thin white lines throughout the stem and the leaves of the branches. The branches usually don't extend farther than a few inches, staying close to the stalk of the plant as it grows in height. 

  Leaves on the Water Willow Plant resemble those that you would see on the tree of the same name. The plant typically grows in the spring and summer months beginning in May and then hibernating in September or October. Flowers that grow on the plant tend to stay near the base because of the abundance of water in this area of the plant. There are usually five petals on each white and purple flower. It only takes a few weeks for the plant to begin growing after seeds have dispersed. If there are any parts of the plant submerged in the water source where it's growing, then the plant often acts as a food source for invertebrates that are in the water.

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