If you have a water feature in your garden, such as a pond or bog, cattails (Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia) make an eye-catching addition. Their sword-like leaves and brown inflorescences, which actually resemble cat tails, offer a unique architectural element to the landscape. The “tails” of these plants also provide nutrient rich food for birds, bees and other animals, as well as nesting materials.