A water garden in the backyard can bring life, beauty and tranquility to an otherwise boring garden. Whether a backyard waterfall or a backyard pond are appealing, finding the right plants is an essential component of the planning stage. Careful selection of water garden pond plants will promote not only a beautiful water garden, but a thriving and environmentally healthy pond. Before a visit to the local gardening shop, think about what above-water plants will make the water garden look beautiful, as well as which ones will keep it healthy and easy to maintain.
Three Popular Pond Plants Favorites
Water Lilies: Water lilies are often found in backyard water gardens due to their ability to survive during difficult or cold weather and endure a little wear and tear from wildlife or bugs. One of the best ways to utilize water lilies in a backyard water garden is to plant them in soil a container that will float, and then place the container in the pond. Ideal planting time for seeds is mid to late winter, once the worst of the winter storm season has passed. Adding fertilizer once a month will promote growth. Water lilies should be planted in sunshine to the extent possible, so a backyard pond that gets full shade isn't an ideal location for them. In bloom, water lilies add beauty to any water garden, and their hardiness makes them one of the easiest water plants to grow.
Lotus: Lotus is another ideal choice for a backyard water garden. Lotus are similar to water lilies, with large floating leaves and colorful blossoms. Both lotus and water lilies can be used to provide shade for the water in a pond, which keeps the water cool in summer and discourages algae growth. A floating pot and monthly fertilization are usually all that's needed to keep a lotus happy. A hardy perennial, lotus will return each year if you prune their foliage back to the crown after a few frosts and sink the pot to an area of the pond that is below the ice level in winter. Be aware that some lotus varities can grow quite large and overwhelm a smaller pond, and that lotus can be very invasive.
Primula: There are many species of primula that make excellent marginal plants along the border of the pond. Primulas include the primrose and the cowslip, and most produce clusters of tiny, colorful blossoms on long stems. There's some variation in their ideal planting time, which can range from March to August, depending on the variety. Primulas are perennial but have a tendency to seed freely in an area, so many gardeners treat them as annuals and discard existing plants to let a new batch of seeds sprout each season. Like lotus, primula will become very invasive if given the chance.
Floating Pond Plants
Water hyacinth, water lettuce, frog bit or fairy moss all float on top of the water in a pond, require no planting and little to no maintenance. However, they will prosper during the hottest parts of the summer and will not be able to handle cold weather and frost. As a result, floating water plants may need to be scooped out at the end of a season and a new batch purchased every year. They can also be stored indoors in a small pool or bucket of water, but their low cost and ready availability leads many gardeners to treat them as annuals.
Marginal Pond Plants
Marginal pond plants live at the edges of the pond. Some will root below the water surface, while others prefer the moist soil alonside a pond. They are a requirement for balanced pond life. Some marginal pond plants to consider include monkey musk, chives or flowering rush. Each is beautiful and will accentuate the water garden both above and below the surface.
Underwater Plants
Perhaps the most important plants you'll choose are those you'll seldom see: underwater oxygenators. These plants, such as anacharis, hornwort and cabamba, serve three important purposes in your pond:
These plants live completely underwater and are best planted in submerged pots so that you can remove them easily. Anacharis is the most popular choice. Unless you have koi, anacharis will grow faster than fish can consume it, and it's hardy enough to survive the winter in most areas, although those with prolonged periods below freezing should store it indoors in a pool of water under a grow light. Oxygenators should not be fertilized, as you need them to consume nutrients in the water that algae also like.
When you're choosing plants, remember that your goal is to create a balanced ecosystem where water, plants and animals all work together to keep the pond clean and healthy. Think ahead about the types of fish and plants you want to use, and talk to a water garden specialist in your area to find those species that live in harmony.
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