Plants for wildlife around pond

[legless]

Hi,

I have a sunken bathtub with ramps in on my allotment which is obviously a home for frogs and other wildlife. It was next to a bed of peas and thistles. as i cleared that area yesterday i upset a field vole a bit, which was nice to see him but i feel guilty for disturbing him. So i have stopped clearing the thistles until i can replace them with something else...

anyway, i want to replace the thistles around the 'pond' with some plants just to keep the wildlife happy, but they need to be not very invasive as although i want to be nice to the creatures i don't really want to create more weed problems fro myself! the plants don't have to be anything i can use, just something that will provide shelter for creatures. Any ideas what i could plant?

cheers

Jo

[teresa]

Hi, first you need a pile of logs by all accounts home to frogs and hedghogs. As for plants how about rubarb the leaves will give shade for the frogs etc from the hot sun in summer. Top dress with a large amount of manure will keep the ground damp what they like. You could even have hostas which will attract the slugs for the frogs to eat. Dont forget the oxyanating weeds helps keep the water sweet. Let us know how you get on good luck Teresa

[legless]

hi Theresa, we already have the pile of logs and oxygenating weed. we have a huge rhubarb patch the other side of the plot so don't really want to plant anything that big. hostas are a good idea though, will definitely do that. i think in addition to that i may just make sure i plant a lot of flowers (eg. sweet peas) there when i can.

cheers Theresa,

Jo

[LynneA]

Flag Irises are a good one.  They're supposed to attract Dragonflies as well as the usual beneficial insects.  I picked up some for 50p each in the sale at my favourite local nursery (and a Ligularia - nice shade giving leaves as well as bright yellow flowers)

[legless]

i do like irises, i'll get some of them too. one of the frogs made an appearance at the weekend - he's a monster!

[teresa]

Hi, Lovely to see the frogs/toads about got baby frogs down the lottie so doing a water feature for them, how about Bergenia ( elephant ears ) lovely plant cottage garden one large leaves evergreen and a spray of pink flowers in the spring will thrive anywhere. Teresa