It's fair to say that most backyard ponds will include a variety of aquatic plants. This just makes sense as no watery habitat is complete without them. Still you don't want to rush out and buy pond plants willy nilly. So let's cover some basics to make sure you are putting together a collection of plants on purpose rather than letting things happen at random.
Size matters: That means the size of your pond will dictate how many plants you can comfortably include. Don't do like some might and have so many floating plants that you can hardy see any water. Certainly having maybe 60% of the ponds surface covered with plant material works to create a healthy pond. But total coverage is not the goal and might be overkill actually.
Know Your Plants: A variety of plants is the key to a successful pond. Because different plants play different roles in the overall ecology. Some shade the surface and add dramatic blossoms like water lilies. Others, the oxygenators, help ward off algae by competing for the same nutrients algae needs to thrive. Other still enhance the edges with fragrant flowers, interesting variation or colorful leaves. With any of these you want to allow for growth and development when planting or arranging them.
Visual Appeal: The edge of your pond, where the water is shallow perhaps because of a planting ledge, is ideal for marginal plants. They prefer water of lesser depth. And they work well around the rim or perimeter of your water garden.
Choose Your Containers: While some plants go with the flow as they float on the surface, some, like water lillies like to have their feet firmly grounded in a pot of some sort. Doesn't matter what it's made of although plastic pots or pails work best. And you may be better off with a heavier soil covered with small pea gravel or other smaller rock to keep your koi from rooting around and uprooting things.
Feeding: Most plants get all the nutrients they need from the pond naturally - courtesy of your fish. But that may not be enough for heavy feeders like water lilies. In that case you'll want to supplement their diet with slow release fertilizer tablets that you stick in their pots.
Finally a few parting questions to ponder:
Do you know the role pond plants play in maintaining a water feature's ecological balance?
Do you know how much sunlight is needed for plants like water lilies to put on a dazzling display? Again the answer is at least six hours of full sun. So does the location you've selected offer that much sunlight?
Some water plants come in both winter hardy or more tropical varieties. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each type? And how much water depth is needed to insure the hardy ones don't freeze and die?
If you give a little thought to the plants to include you can influence how much time and effort your pond will demand. Take care to plant the right ones in the right numbers the right way and your pond life should thrive for a good long time.
Size matters: That means the size of your pond will dictate how many plants you can comfortably include. Don't do like some might and have so many floating plants that you can hardy see any water. Certainly having maybe 60% of the ponds surface covered with plant material works to create a healthy pond. But total coverage is not the goal and might be overkill actually.
Know Your Plants: A variety of plants is the key to a successful pond. Because different plants play different roles in the overall ecology. Some shade the surface and add dramatic blossoms like water lilies. Others, the oxygenators, help ward off algae by competing for the same nutrients algae needs to thrive. Other still enhance the edges with fragrant flowers, interesting variation or colorful leaves. With any of these you want to allow for growth and development when planting or arranging them.
Visual Appeal: The edge of your pond, where the water is shallow perhaps because of a planting ledge, is ideal for marginal plants. They prefer water of lesser depth. And they work well around the rim or perimeter of your water garden.
Choose Your Containers: While some plants go with the flow as they float on the surface, some, like water lillies like to have their feet firmly grounded in a pot of some sort. Doesn't matter what it's made of although plastic pots or pails work best. And you may be better off with a heavier soil covered with small pea gravel or other smaller rock to keep your koi from rooting around and uprooting things.
Feeding: Most plants get all the nutrients they need from the pond naturally - courtesy of your fish. But that may not be enough for heavy feeders like water lilies. In that case you'll want to supplement their diet with slow release fertilizer tablets that you stick in their pots.
Finally a few parting questions to ponder:
Do you know the role pond plants play in maintaining a water feature's ecological balance?
Do you know how much sunlight is needed for plants like water lilies to put on a dazzling display? Again the answer is at least six hours of full sun. So does the location you've selected offer that much sunlight?
Some water plants come in both winter hardy or more tropical varieties. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each type? And how much water depth is needed to insure the hardy ones don't freeze and die?
If you give a little thought to the plants to include you can influence how much time and effort your pond will demand. Take care to plant the right ones in the right numbers the right way and your pond life should thrive for a good long time.
About the Author:
Adding a water feature doesn't have to be confusing. Especially not after you visit Backyard-Ponds-Care.com. Learn more about a pondless waterfall. Maybe even pick up a tip or two about preformed pond liners and flexible liners. Plus get more ideas for soothing backyard ponds.
