Pond Plants
Pond plants are a very important part of pond design. Not only are they nice to look at, but they will also help maintain your pond environment and keep it healthy. There are hundreds of varieties of pond plants to choose from when designing your backyard oasis. Using different types will provide visual detail and personality to your pond and make designing it fun! There are four general types of plants to consider. Bog plants, submerged plants, deep water plants, and floating plants are the broad categories. The size, depth, and inhabitants of your pond can help you determine which types of plants are best for your water garden, as well as how you want your pond to look.
Bog Plants
Bog plants, also called marginal plants, are shallow water plants. The plants themselves can be seen above the water, but their roots grow underwater. These plants grow well in the moist boggy areas around the rim of the pond. They thrive best in full sunlight, with good-quality, heavy topsoil. It is best to use a container for these plants, as they can become invasive. Use as large a container as possible for the space you are working with since the plant will grow larger according to the space it is allowed. Most bog plants will need to be fertilized a couple of times a year using fertilizer tablets. The water level needed for bog plants varies depending on the variety of plant you are using. Check with your plant provider for the specifics. Some popular examples of bog plants are water hyacinths, cannas, water irises, cattails, and reeds.
Submerged Plants
Submerged plants are also called oxygenators. They are underwater plants that provide oxygen to the water and help to regulate algae growth within the pond environment. To take fullest advantage of these plants’ natural filtering quality, use one bunch per every one to two square feet of pond surface area. In addition to helping improve water quality, these plants also provide shelter and protection for any fish that may inhabit your pond. They also provide a good spawning ground for your fish. Dwarf vallisneria, cabomba, Water Crowfoot, Water Violet, Monkey Tail, Hortwort, and Parrots Feather are common oxygenating plants.
Deep Water Plants
These deep water plants root in the deeper water and their leaves and flowers float on the surface. They provide lots of color and variety to the pond. They also contribute to the pond environment by providing shade to cool the water and protect the fish. They will bloom well when fertilized with aquatic fertilizer. Water lilies and lotus are two types of deep water plants. Lilies are available in hardy or tropical varieties.
Floating Plants
Floating plants float on the surface of the water and do not need to be rooted in a planter. Like the water lilies and lotus plants, this type of floating plant also provides shade and coverage for your pond. They keep the water cool during the hot summer months and help keep the algae growth at a minimum. Floating plant foliage should cover about sixty percent of the surface area of your pond to have the best effect. Water hyacinths and water lettuce are good examples of floating plants.
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