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Produce => Ponds 'n' Stuff => Topic started by: elhuerto on March 17, 2011, 08:16:17

Title: Pond plant restocking
Post by: elhuerto on March 17, 2011, 08:16:17

I'm looking to get some new plants for the Spring for the pond, mainly to provide some cover / shade. Obviously going to get a couple of lilies but anyone have any other suggestions - preferably hardy?

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: shirlton on March 17, 2011, 08:18:32

We have 3 different sorts of iris (not the yellow one) buttercup and soapwort as well as the lillies.

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: elhuerto on March 17, 2011, 08:36:59

Thanks, I have 3 irises too, two mauve and one yellow I think. Soapwort is poisonous, isn't it?

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: shirlton on March 17, 2011, 09:19:22

Quote from: elhuerto on March 17, 2011, 08:36:59

Thanks, I have 3 irises too, two mauve and one yellow I think. Soapwort is poisonous, isn't it?
Don't know about poisonous. We don't eat it ;D.
Its a delicate little plant with pink sweet smelling flowers. Apparently there are several species.

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: OberonUK on March 29, 2011, 14:17:55

If you want fast and CHEAP - try dropping in a few handfuls of watercress (as you buy for salads from the supermarket). It grows really quickly and is an excellent 'scrubber' for helping to keep the water clear. It will not last the winter, but for a few bits of salad that you may otherwise have chucked out it seems to be great value!

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: caroline7758 on March 29, 2011, 17:05:43

I love marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris)

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: elhuerto on March 29, 2011, 18:12:53

Water cress is a good idea, it's not something I've bought so will have to see if it's available locally. One of the few plants I do have is a marsh marigold, the yellow bud is just forming now and the bright green leaves are lusher than anything else that survived the winter. I have ordered a couple of lilies from Silverthorpe Aquatics and put some barley straw in at the weekend so hopefully it'll all look a bit better this year.

Title: Re: Pond plant restocking
Post by: OberonUK on March 30, 2011, 16:44:58

Quote from: elhuerto on March 29, 2011, 18:12:53

Water cress is a good idea, it's not something I've bought so will have to see if it's available locally.

Try a bag of watercress and spinach salad from Tescos. It roots in days if you shove some in aquatic compost or just bung it loose in the water/ Tin white flowers and an edible crop too!