Topic: Pond plants

[Georgie]

Last year was my first attempt at keeping a small pond just about large enough to host a few plants.  The Typha minima grew well but didn't flower, Veronica beccabunga virtually took over but I thought the flowers were rather disappointing (so tiny) and Caltha palustris did well as a marginal then promptly died down, leaves and all, after flowering.

The good news is that the Typha has lots of new shoots and the Caltha is also on its way back with about half a dozen leaves and one flower bud so far.  But there is no sign of the Veronica yet.  So a couple of questions please.  Is the the Typha like to flower this year and if the Veronica has died, can you recommend another native and non-invasive plant with flowers for a tiny pond? 

Thanks in advance

G x

[jennym]

Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (lords & ladies) which you may already have, does well by the pond, and you can get the Caltha palustris with a bronze coloured leaf. caltha palustris does die back to nothing each year, here they self seed like crazy to the extent that they take over the teeny patch of lawn - but it's pretty boggy, so they do like it.
Muehlenbeckia isn't native, but is interesting, with wiry black stems and a cloud of tiny leaves, almost evergreen here, seems to do fine by the pond.
I think watercress will produce flowers too, if left rather than eaten.
Yellow flag iris grows really well, and adds some height but can be invasive if left to its own devices, but you can control it by planting in a pot, sunken in on top of stones, which you can lift away each year to "root prune".

[Georgie]

Thanks Jenny.  I really want something to go in the pond and ideally a native to attract wildlife.  I quite fancy Bogbean or Watermint but I've been warned off both as they are quite invasive.  There must be some little native plant that would fit the bill?

G x

[lillian]

Thanks Jenny.  I really want something to go in the pond and ideally a native to attract wildlife.  I quite fancy Bogbean or Watermint but I've been warned off both as they are quite invasive.  There must be some little native plant that would fit the bill?

G x

Watermint from my pond has also invaded my garden. Has no problem surviving the summer drought :(

[Georgie]

Hmmm...sounds like I was well warned then!

G x

[star]

The hoverflies loved my watercress last year. I am growing more this year too, though I wouldn't fancy eating it from the pond. Grows very fast and can take over, you only need a little bit, good for hiding in say the frogs and taddies!! ;D ;D

[Georgie]

The hoverflies loved my watercress last year. I am growing more this year too, though I wouldn't fancy eating it from the pond. Grows very fast and can take over, you only need a little bit, good for hiding in say the frogs and taddies!! ;D ;D

I've grown Watercress before in a container so maybe I will give a go in the pond, then, unless I get any better suggestions. :)

G x

[Georgie]

Right, I've got some organic Watercress which is rooting nicely in a tumbler.  Will it need hardening off or can I put it straight in the pond?

G x

[Georgie]

Right, I've got some organic Watercress which is rooting nicely in a tumbler.  Will it need hardening off or can I put it straight in the pond?

G x

In the absence of any replies I've planted the watercress out today and will hope for the best.   :)

On a related issue, which native oxygenator is best for a small pond do you think, water violet or water-crowfoot, and why?

G x

[jjt]

 I would try water violet. But in my experience it wouldn't grow, so then I'd get the crowfoot. When one day I sort my pond out again, will definitely have another violet go. It just looks good. It's a Bach remedy also. Crowfoot I've grown, it's pretty too. Not overly invasive I think, and easily controllable. I'm not sure but it might be that which can grow out of the water as well, in a slightly different form. Water starwort is another nice one. Not hornwort, it's good but too rampant. So yes, I vote violet, but be prepared to fail.

[Georgie]

Thanks for that comprehensive reply, JJT, water violet it is then.   :)

G x

[GRACELAND]

Watercress  ok for fish ???

[Georgie]

Watercress  ok for fish ???

Sorry I have no idea.  Mine is a wildlife pond so I don't have any fish.

G x

[tricia]

Yes Graceland. Watercress is fine in a fish pond. Just throw some in your pond when you next buy a bunch. It will grow and self-seed each year. At least - mine does  ;D.

Tricia

[GRACELAND]

right thanks  :D

[Georgie]

Just to let you know that I went to a specialist nursery today and bought a water violet and a water soldier.  The thing is, the water violet is in a container and when I put it in my pond it is only level with the water surface, not submerged.  I bought the plant for its oxygenating properties so two questions please.  Will it be okay if it isn't submerged and will it spread in due course and do the job I bought it for?

Thanks in advance

G x

[jjt]

I'd be a lot happier if it was under water. Can you repot it? Even if it means a lot less soil for it I'd be tempted to. Or leave it as it is and keep a close eye on it. It might trail under OK anyway. I just looked at the rest of the thread. One native plant I like is flowering rush - butomus umbellatus. It's really pretty and non-invasive. Not longlived flowers though.

[Georgie]

I'd be a lot happier if it was under water. Can you repot it? Even if it means a lot less soil for it I'd be tempted to. Or leave it as it is and keep a close eye on it. It might trail under OK anyway. I just looked at the rest of the thread. One native plant I like is flowering rush - butomus umbellatus. It's really pretty and non-invasive. Not longlived flowers though.

Hmmm I thought as much.  I'll knock it out of its pot at the weekend and see if there is scope to reduce the pot size.  Thanks for your advice.  I don't have room for any more plants now - and I've already got a dwarf bulrush.   :)

G x

[Georgie]

To update my progress I did manage to transplant it into a cut down container so at least it's now (just) under water so hopefully it'll now be happier and do the job I bought it for.   :)

G x

[Andy H]

I just asked a customer if I could have some giamt iris and bulrush from her pond and she said help yourself, they are a nuisance! So I have some of each to live in a big bucket till I maybe dig a pond next year!

I will see how they survive. If they multiply and grow BIG time then anyone can have them if they want to collect. Bulrush have amazing ability to clean poopy water or sewage over a big area so I may join the new pond to the old one to help water quality(if I dig it)!