Water Hawthorn | Aponogeton distachyos

Your deep water plant will arrive in a Finofil Aquatic Basket, pre-planted with aquatic soil and a slow-release fertiliser.

If your plant arrives with foliage, place the basket in your pond at a depth where the foliage floats on the surface. Gradually lower it to its final depth as the foliage grows.

If your plant arrives in autumn or winter, without foliage, you can place it directly at the recommended depth as indicated on the care label.

Avoid submerging the leaves immediately, as deep water plants breathe through their foliage and fully submerging them could harm or drown the plant.

Depth is always measured from the top of the pot to the water's surface.

Aquatic Basket Measurements:

• 1ltr - Square pot (11cm x 11cm x 11cm high)
• 3ltr - Hexagonal pot (18cm x 18cm x 16cm high)
• 10ltr - Square pot (29cm x 29cm x 19cm high). These plants weigh 12kgs.

• Growing Instructions: Place the pre-planted basket into your pond, ensuring the foliage floats on the surface. Gradually lower the basket to its final depth as the plant grows. Refer to the 'Planting Essentials' or care label for specific depth requirements.
• Growing Tips: Grows in sun or partial shade; thrives in still water, avoiding fountains.

• Pruning: Cut back faded flowers and dying leaves; allow new growth to emerge in cooler months.
• Pests/Diseases: Susceptible to leaf spot or fungal issues in poorly maintained water; ensure good water quality and remove affected leaves promptly.

What’s the Difference Between Waterlilies and Deep-Water Pond Plants?

Waterlilies and deep-water plants may seem similar, but they serve different purposes in a pond. Waterlilies have large, flat leaves that float on the surface, creating a dense canopy of shade, while deep-water plants like Water Hawthorn or Brandy Bottle have more delicate, upright flowers and varied leaf textures.

Co-planting them works beautifully—Water Hawthorn flowers early in spring when waterlilies are dormant, providing early-season interest and shelter for pond life. As the waterlilies come into bloom in summer, they take over, creating a stunning, layered look with different leaf styles, flower types, and increased shade to reduce algae growth and keep the pond cool and healthy.

Where Should I Place my Deep Water Plants in the Pond?

Deep water plants should be treated similarly to waterlilies, with each variety having its specific depth requirements.

When your plant arrives, start by placing it on a pond shelf at a depth where its current foliage can float on the water's surface. This ensures the plant can breathe and transport oxygen to its roots effectively.

Gradually lower the plant as it grows throughout the season, until it reaches its recommended final depth.

Deep water plants are adaptable, thriving in shaded areas and even in ponds with gentle water movement.

How many deep water plants do I need for my pond?

4 to 5 - 1ltr plants per sqm
2 to 3 - 3 ltr plants per sqm
1 x 3ltr plant per sqm for large ponds of 20+ sqm

Deep-water plants play an important role in achieving the recommended two-thirds pond coverage for a healthy and thriving pond. Their submerged foliage helps oxygenate the water, while their floating or emergent leaves contribute to shade and reduce algae growth.

In a 6sqm pond, you might aim for 1sqm of deep-water plants alongside 2sqm of waterlilies and 1sqm of floating plants, creating a balanced mix to keep your pond cool and provide shelter for pond life.

Do I need to line my basket with hessian?

No, Finofil baskets have been designed to have a very fine mesh structure to stop soil loss.

What are your planting baskets made from?

Finofil aquatic baskets are made from 100% recycled plastic and manufactured in the UK.  They can be recycled at your local recycling centre or any kerb side recycling that collects black plastic.  Plant labels are recyclable.

Will carp and ducks eat my plants?

Yes!  Koi and other varieties of carp find all pond plants very tasty - so we cannot recommend any plants for your pond unless they can be protected by some form of barrier.

Goldfish will nibble at oxygenators and softer leaved plants in your pond.  They are omnivores so will also eat larvae, insects and tadpoles.

Wildfowl will also eat plants, we suggest buying more mature plants with established root systems and protecting the roots/rhizomes as best as you can to prevent damage from eating and nesting.

Delivery Prices

Mainland UK

Standard delivery: £6.00
Large plants (e.g., 30ltr waterlilies): pallet delivery - quote required.
Soil & gravel: additional charges apply for multiple bags.
Please email us with your postcode if a delivery price is not displaying at checkout

Highlands & Islands

Small parcels under 1.8kg: £6.00
Standard parcels over 1.8kg: £25.00
All H&I deliveries use 48-hour services

If you’re unsure about delivery costs to your postcode, please email us at.

Container Ponds

Delivery from £30 (postcode-based, please check before ordering)

Shipping to Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Europe

Sorry, we are unable to ship to the above destinations.

Dispatch Schedule

Aquatic Plants

March: Monday and Thursday
April – August: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Late August to October: Monday and Thursday
October – February: Tuesday only

Aquatic plants are dispatched all year round, though frequency reduces during low season.

Garden Plants

Dispatched all year round - Tuesday & Thursday

Are plants dispatched the same day as ordering?

No. Live plants require draining and careful preparation.  The nurseries dispatch in scheduled batches rather than on-demand. This means same-day dispatch isn’t possible, but we always aim to send your order as promptly as we can within our dispatch schedule.

If you’d like to check when your order is likely to arrive, just email us and we’ll be happy to advise.

Delivery and Couriers

We use trusted UK couriers:
APC and Royal Mail for pond plants
DX for garden plants
Pallet deliveries for 30ltr waterlilies, large landscape orders and container ponds

Delivery Times

APC and DX orders are sent on overnight services but may take up to 48 hours depending on your local depot.
Royal Mail parcels usually arrive within 24–48 hours.

Plants are packed in damp soil and remain safe in transit for several days.

Tracking and Safe Place Instructions

Your dispatch email will contain tracking information where applicable.

Couriers are instructed to leave parcels in a safe place with no signature required. You can add your own delivery notes using the links below. We recommend requesting a cool, shaded spot so the plants stay fresh on arrival.

APC - https://apcchoice.apc-overnight.com/

Royal Mail - will use your email and mobile number provided during ordering to send delivery updates and enable you to add safe-place instructions.
Please do not delay delivery of live plants.

Royal Mail will never ask you to make an additional payment for a delivery. If you receive a message requesting payment, please delete it and do not click any links. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, email us and we’ll be happy to advise

Damages & Returns

If your order arrives damaged, please take photos of the packaging and plants and email us with your PFP order number.

Due to bio-security and the perishable nature of plants, we cannot accept returns of plants or molluscs.

Container ponds are handmade to order and non-returnable unless damaged.

For full details, please see our returns policy

Need Help?

If you have any questions about delivery or dispatch times, please email us