For the New Jersey backyard pond I usually recommend hardy varieties of plants, but who can resist a tropical plant or two in their pond….I can’t. I recommend hardy plants, like water lilies, because when properly cared for the hardy pond plant will come back year after year with each year producing a bigger more impressive plant. Think of tropical plants, such as tropical water lilies, as disposable and after the first freeze these plants will usually “mush” over and rot in your pond so be sure to take them out. It should be noted that, of course, there are methods of keeping tropical plants over winter but that is for another FAQ. Hardy water garden plants come in many varieties and car should be taken in choosing your plants that you are providing the environment that they will thrive in, aquatic plants are just as particular about there conditions as any other type of plant and it should not be assumed that simply because they are in water they will do well in your water garden installation. FULL SERVICE AQUATICS offers plant delivery and installation services and custom plant packages for your pond CALL TODAY (908)-277-6000, or email us and we can design your plant package for your backyard water garden.