• Home
• Services
  • Pond-less Waterfalls
  • Pond Construction
  • FountainFalls
  • Rock Retaining Walls
  • Fountainscapes
  • Fix it Packages
  • Maintenance Package
• Portfolio
  • Images
  • Videos
• Online Store
• Pond Tours
  • Parade of Ponds
  • Anytime Pond Tours
• Owners Handbook
  • Aquatic Plants
  • Pond Pumps
  • 5 Pond Myths
  • Pond Calculations
  • Maintenance
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall & Winter
    • Troubleshooting Leaks
    • Spring Cleanout Request
  • Parade of Pond Participant
• About Us
• Contact Us

 

Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants serve a very important function in balancing the pond ecoscystem. They are a natural biological filtration system that helps remove nitrogen, ammonia, nitrates, and other minerals that algae feed on. They also provide valuable shade and protection for fish and wildlife that live in and around the pond. Aquatic plants are broken down into the four main groups:

Hardy Marginals: Marginal plants are typically found along the edge of ponds and streams. They soften boulder edges and help create a smooth transition from the waters edge and the surrounding landscaping. Most marginals like 1 - 8" of water, which makes the first edge of the pond a perfect place for these hardy plants.

Common types of Marginals: Sweet flag, Dwarf Horsetail, Miniature Cattail, Pickeral Weed, Bullrush, Arrowhead.

Water Lilies: Lilies are the most popular of all aquatic plants. Their ability to spread out and multiply quickly offers a great shade for the pond. Not to mention their ability to flower throughout the pond season makes thes hardy plants a must for any pond.

The Hardy Lily in the picture is a Pink Sensation, probably the best hardy pink lily of all, with smooth , rich pink 5 to 6" blooms that stay open later than any other pink. It is a very free flowering lily that spreads to 4' with leaves reaching 10" across.

 

 

Floating Plants: Floating aquatic plants float on the surface while their roots hang down into the water below, trapping sediment and utilizing many excess nutrients. These plants provide shade, making summer algae easier to control. In northern climates, like ours, they should be treated as annuals, replanting them each year or taking them into a warmer place for the winter.

Common Floaters: Water Lettuce & Hyacinth.

Hardy Oxygenating Plants: Oxygenators are often the most overlooked plants in the water garden. They are typically subersed and don't grab your attention. These submerged plants are important allies in creating a well-balanced water feature. Oxygenators help reduce algae by directly competing for the same food source. Think of the as nutrient sponges.

Common Oxygenators: Hornwort & Water Thyme.