Author Topic: Plant for very small wildlife pond  (Read 4407 times)

gray1720

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Plant for very small wildlife pond
« on: February 16, 2021, 18:35:30 »
Yes, plant singular!

In the ongoing absence of time, money and space to put in the big rockery* with raised pond that I really want to do, I've decided to add a little bit of water to at least attract interests and have added a pair of sink-bowl ponds - hence plant singular!

Any ideas what I could put in them to help attract the critters? See pic - I think they'll look OK once they've been grown up around.

*I have, however, collected from the local fields on my lockdown exercise time not spent on the plot several tons of rocks, many flattish and just nice for building.
My garden is smaller than your Rome, but my pilum is harder than your sternum!

Paulh

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2021, 20:17:53 »
You could try a gunnera ...  :drunken_smilie:

gray1720

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2021, 07:56:57 »
...but then I'd need to plant the gunnera first, and put the pond in the gunnera, and I want a plant in the pond, not a pond in the plant!  :tongue3:

My morning didn't need brightening up, but that has done so, thank you!
My garden is smaller than your Rome, but my pilum is harder than your sternum!

Tee Gee

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2021, 09:34:55 »
May I suggest you look in here; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/P/Plants%20for%20purpose/Plants%20for%20Purpose.htm

Scroll Down to around the middle of the page and you will find a few suggestions under the poolside/ marginal plants list.

Click on each of them for cultural suggestions.


Hope this helps

Digeroo

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2021, 10:29:10 »
I like candelabra primulas, though they like margins rather than in the water. 
I have fallen for lobelia cardinalis but that is not quite in the gunnera department but at at 4 feet plus it is not far off.  But otherwise could be called the queen of the bog plants.
So perhaps it has to be a flag.

ACE

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2021, 11:40:24 »
As the water is contained, there will not really be proper damp marginal areas so anything goes that fits the theme of the area. What I would do though is get some mosses to plant in amongst the rocks to green it up a bit, also those small irises to give the  area a damp ambience.

gray1720

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2021, 11:49:02 »
I must admit I was thinking more of a water plant *in* each for oxygenation and cover for critters (I am aware that this may mean a lot of watching the levels in summer when my stock of rainwater is lowest!). However the ideas for stuff *around* them largely cover stuff I'd not thought of, so keep them coming please. I do have some white iris that I've popped in next to them, and there was borage there last year (see front of photo!), so I may have to fight that regularly.
My garden is smaller than your Rome, but my pilum is harder than your sternum!

ACE

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2021, 11:58:37 »
Something in the water?   wetland grasses are good for cover, pond insects etc. Just lift, shake and cut a chunk off when it gets too big. A different colour in each tub.

gray1720

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Re: Plant for very small wildlife pond
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2021, 18:20:34 »
That's a good call, Ace.
My garden is smaller than your Rome, but my pilum is harder than your sternum!

 

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