Pond Plants

I have just installed a small pond 500ltrs, and want to put in a few plants. Since this is my first pond, I would welcome any advice on which plants to use, and ones to avoid. Obviously I would not want anything too large because of the size. Not contemplating fish at this point. Any other do's and don'ts also welcome.

 

Don't be tempted by water hyacinth, these float on the surface, very cheap, quick growing and pretty, but will die off in winter and make a horrible mess. I fished out as much as I could, but I've still got to empty my mini pond and start again!

 

Hi
Try to keep away from water soldiers as well.They
multiply like the blazes and as they sink in cold weather it is not always easy to see how they are taking over the pond.I threw all of mine away last year started off with one and must have binned a dozen of them.A SMALL pigmy water lily is probably a must and some oxygenator the curly stuffthat you used to put in goldfish bowls.You can keep on top of that quite easily.I put all of the plants in my pond into baskets so the baskets can just be lifted and the roots trimmed and the tatty bits cut out.One thing I found is that if you have a look around the Aquatics department at the garden centre and make a note of the plants you like the look of before buying have a quick look round at the perrennials etc.You will 9 times out of 10 find exactly the same plants there at half the price.. bit of a rip off really.I have hostas and astilbes in my pond in pots.Also a chameleon something or other that if I had bought as a pond plant would have cost me about a fiver but because I had a look in a different part of the garden centre I got a plant twice the size for half the price.Mimulus (monkey musk)is another plant that will cost you in the aqquatics centre but you can get half the price in the bedding section.Grasses can look nice in pots on the shelf of the pond but again don't buy from the Aquatics section.Remember that once these plants get going and they will they multiply like mad so although it may look sp**** to begin with oh and fairy moss... Noooooooo
another blighter that sinks when it goes dormant and then you wake up one morning and have a 2"thick crust of green on top of the pond.It took me a couple of years to get rid of that stuff.
Ghollum

 

Thanks a lot for the quick response Liz and Ghollum. Much appreciated. Will keep you posted on how I got on later in the season.

 

caltha palustris is good - but invasive. It gives foliage and yellow buttercup-type flowers, and so log as you keep it in check it's a good basic pond item - flags too - i.e irises - and rushes. I'd look around the most local garden centres in your area and ask the experts there. Mostly they know what they're talking about!

 

I don't remember the name of it but one of the "swimmers" I put in my tiny pond 2 years ago has multiplied intensively! It looks like a little palm, but without the trunk of course and it just swims in the pond. Last year the original plant looked like it was dying, and right now there are at least 6 baby plants swimming about! They are filling the pond - it's only a small pre-formed one! Anyone interested???

 

Thanks for your response Dendrobium and Wishaw. Much obliged. Will see how I get on.

 

I have a couple of beautiful pygmy water lillies in my little pond. A pink one and a yellow one.... absolutely stunning.... they cost a fortune though.

Wishaw - I'd love a couple of your palm thingys - have PM'd you....

 

Ok, found out it might be the one called "Water Soldier" (as seen here , although my parent plant has not flowered, but the rest of the description fits.

Honey Bee I see that I find out how to mail them to you - we are planning to build a bigger pond soon so will keep a couple of them, but that still leaves 2 or 3 (and possibly more, the pond is slightly murky) I can easily give away. Seems the plant multiplies happily, with the amount of neglect it suffered from me

 

can anyone tell me if a pump is needed just put in a small pond dont know how many litres but it small wife wanted it to atracked frogs have been watching the garden programs they say just need oxaginating plans have put three in that sink to the bottom and three that float but the waters going green they have been in the pond just over two weeks

 

Roy - I have a small pond and no pump. It does take a while for the pond to settle, so 2 weeks is not really long enough... pumps are really only necessary if you have lots of fish. Just make sure you have lots of cover to keep out the sun (lillies are excellent for this)As its the sun which causes algae. You could also put in a little barley straw. We got 2 small bundles from our local pond stockist. Something in the Barley straw clears the water. Just be patient, give it time, and don't put in any water clearing chemicals!!! It may take a few months for frogs to arrive, and often at leat 2 years before they will spawn in a new pond.

 

Thats great thank you

 

Hello.....Here are the pictures of my pond and garden....perhaps someone will give me some ideas on improving the same.. :(

 

seems I haven't worked out properly the photograph attachments!!!!!!!!!

 

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