Buckbean forms dense mats on pond edges or on floating moss mats. They have spreading rhizomes that send up spikes of white frilly flowers up to about a foot tall. Later, small bean-like seeds form, hence the name. They start growing on the edge of a pond and spread out into the shallow water, a very nice transitional plant. The flower spikes are very showy especially once a plant colony is established. Planting them in a bank of peaty soil helps them get established quickly, but they also form larger white "water roots" similar to the Water Dragon when floating. They bloom mid to late June in Alaska and are rated for up to zone 10. Besides being beautiful, they have some medicinal qualities as a bitter and are supposed to serve as a powdered alternative to hops for beer brewing.
I have never had any problems with overwintering in the pond; they are a very hardy native Alaskan aquatic plant. I will send 2 cuttings for each order about 6-8 inches long. Usually, they have some sort of roots attached and root quickly when transplanted. They will come wrapped in sphagnum moss from my pond and sent 3-day priority mail. To see the bonus plants that may come along with the moss, read the Sphagnum Moss- Mixed product description.
