little update to this thread....
I wound up making two bogs, one from a 5" deep mixing tray and the other from a 9" deep premade pond liner (~36" diameter)
the reason for this was simple, i wanted to try a bunch of the different plants and a few different methods of making the bog and see what worked better before i make a big one (or realistically, just make these more permanent yard fixtures.
i originally had mostly rhyzomes to plant as "seeds" if you please and a few established plants i got at Lowes
Once there was a brief cold snap, they all woke up and one even launched this alien looking thing that i assume is a bud about to open.
Magnum development by
J Solo, on Flickr
this was an established plant but the new growth is all in the last 3-4 days
Magnum development by
J Solo, on Flickr
and the orchids, of course!
Yahs by
J Solo, on Flickr