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Hi
Could you suggest some plants that I can put around my pond? When it was built the pond liner wasn’t hidden totally and it takes away from the look of the thing. They have to be easy to look after, as I don’t have much time for gardening. Thanks.
Reply
If the pond has a ledge for marginal plants around the perimeter then add more planting baskets along the side. You could try aquatic irises, these are easily kept. Try the tall red lobelias and interplant with some golden sedge. When you plant around the edge of the pond, pick plants that look at home in a wet area, even if they are happy in regular soil. Hostas are a favourite and will do well. Bergenia will be effective as the rhizomes will grow over the edge and the plant will spread nicely. It also has the advantage of being evergreen. Consider low growing trees too, these can hang down and cover the liner. As well as Japanese maples, try small willows such as the weeping form of the purple osier, Salix purpurea "Pendula"
If you want reliable plants for the water, try a water lily.
Tropical water lilies require a warm climate to grow, preferring a sunny position, and flowering all year round.
These varieties produce large scented flowers on tall stems in colors ranging from white, cream, pink, apricot, rich cyclamen, yellow and many shades of blue through to purple.
The hardy European varieties grow and flower in all climates. A sunny position is best for these plants, but in extremely hot climates some dappled shade is recommended.
Once established, they produce flowers over a long periods, with colors ranging from white through pink, red, apricot, and the yellow spectrum.
Sizes vary, from the exquisite miniature water lilies, to those with extra large leaves and flowers.
Water lilies should be planted in a soil mixture of three parts loam, to one part well rotted cow manure, blood and bone, bone meal, or slow release fertilizer pellets, mixed through the bottom layer of soil.
Click for more types of water lily all under 20 pounds sterling....
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There are several distinct groups of plants you can grow in or around a garden pond. These are the main ones:-
Oxygenators are essential plants for keeping the pond healthy. Some are rooted, but most simply float in the water, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen as they grow. Since they multiply fairly rapidly, start with a few small clumps and be prepared to cull the plants ruthlessly as they spread. Simply hook out excess growth with a garden rake and put it on your compost heap.
Water Lilies are planted in containers that sit on the bottom of the pond and produce leaves and stunning flowers on the surface in the summer. There are many different varieties. Do not be tempted to over plant, they grow rapidly and can soon swamp a small pond.
Marginals are planted in containers set in shallow water on shelves around the pond margins. This group includes various species of Iris, Flag, Marsh Marigold and the Arrow Head.
Floaters such as Fairy Moss, Greater Bladderwort and Water Soldier are flowering plants that simply float on the pond. The Water Soldier sinks to the bottom in winter.
Marsh Plants, such as Bullrushes, can be planted at the edges of the pond, if the liner is extended and filled with soil to create waterlogged bog conditions.
Get specialist advise when choosing plants to suit your particular pond size, containers and special pH-balanced pond soil. Do not be tempted to use ordinary garden soil, or to plant directly in soil spread on the bottom of the pond.
Golden Rule - Always top pond plant containers with gravel to stop fish from disturbing the soil and therefore discolouring the water.