Types of Aquatic Plants
While part of the highlight of having a water garden is the water and aquatic life, in order to have a successful water garden, you really need to include some plant life. There are many different kinds of plants perfect for a water garden, the challenge is knowing what they are, and what's right for your garden!
Water Lily
The most common type of flower for your water garden is the water lily. Available in many colours and sizes, they are ideal for most North American climates. Water lilies generally bloom from May to September, opening in the morning and closing later in the afternoon. These lillies are annuals, and are great to provide shade for fish and other animals.
Marginal Plants
Marginal plants are those that remain on the perimeter of the pond. These are used to create a smoother transition from the water in the pond to the surrounding landscaping. Marginal plants like to remain in at least 8" of water, which is why the shallow edging of the pond is an ideal location for them.
Floating Plants
Floating plants remain on the surface of the water at all times, while their roots hang into the water below. When putting floating plants into your pond, try to keep them away from filtration units either by surrounding them with lily pads or keeping them away from filtration units. These plants help to control algae, as the restrict the amount of sunlight getting into the pond.
When purchasing plants for your pond, you should also considering what plants are good for keeping the oxygen levels within your pond high. Most people don't consider these plants because they are underwater, however, these can be a definite asset to your pond. Floating plants are great algae fighters because they rely on the same food supply, therefore battle to get the nutrients they need to stay alive. When planting this type of plant, either push a group of them into the gravel or placing them into the ledge of a lily pocket.
< Back to Pond Landscaping Guide- Table of Contents
Pond-Building AdvicePond Maintenance |
Business Advice for Landscapers |