Plants are a fantastic way to improve the aesthetics and water quality of your pond!
Water gardens give the keen horticulturist an opportunity to grow a number of aquatic-friendly species.
Introducing plants to your pond is beneficial for optimising ‘pond balance’. The various plants that you put into the pond can help to control the levels of Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates that are present in the pond alongside providing oxygen. This helps to:
- Provide a fantastic environment for your fish
- Keeps your water clear
- Give the pond a great aesthetic
- Controls the development of algae/green water
Here at Pondkeeper, we are delighted to be able to offer you a top selection of plants from the UK’s best aquatic nursery. Our customers love our variety packs of Six 9cm plants – Our supplier sells these packs and the plants will be chosen by the nursery pickers based on availability and the quality of the plants at the time of dispatch. This means you will receive a variety of the plants to create stunning displays and they will be of excellent quality.
You can have oxygenating plants, oxygenating weed, ornamental marginal, wildlife marginal, water lillies and artificial plants. Among these different types, there are also other plants that you may want to plant in your pond, such as floating plants, deep-water emergent plants, and submerged plants. Each serves its own purpose in maintaining a healthy, diverse ecosystem for your fish and wildlife.
Oxygenator Plants
Oxygenator plants are all great Oxygenators; arguably, Oxygenator plants are the most important type of plant that a pond needs. They are submerged beneath the water's surface and they release oxygen into the water as a by-product of photosynthesis. This is used by Fish and other aquatic animals.
As the Oxygenator plants develop, they are able to provide a safe area for fish and other aquatic life in your pond. The stems and leaves can offer protection against herons, shade during summer and they can act as a protective environment for fish eggs. All of this will create a thriving aquatic ecosystem.
Oxygenators also help to remove excess nutrients and reduce algae growth. By producing Oxygen, these plants encourage the development of healthy bacteria in your pond; this bacteria helps to break down sludge and prevent the growth of Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates, maintaining pond balance. As it stops the growth of these chemicals, algae is less likely to develop.
We can definitely say that Oxygenator plants are super useful and a brilliant part of a pond keepers arsenal in combatting the dreaded green water!
Elodea Densa
Elodea Densa are Oxygenator plants that help to control algae and assist in creating a natural pond "balance".
Elodea Densa is one of the most popular varieties of underwater oxygenating plants available in the UK. Also known as 'waterweed', it is probably the most well-known of all aquatic plants. Thanks to its rapid growth it is the perfect plant for dealing with algae.
This stem plant is also a popular oxygenator for aquaria and garden ponds. As with most stem plants, propagation is not complicated. Simply cut off the top or side shoots and replant them. In aquaria it may be necessary to cut the plant back often due to the speed at which it spreads.
Highly recommended for stabilising new setups.
Ornamental Marginal Plants
Ornamental Marginal plants are also an attractive addition to your pond. Marginal plants, also known as bog plants, grow well in wet or water logged soil near the water garden's edge or in shallow water. They are fantastic at adding a vibrant splash of colour to the pond throughout the growing season; they are diverse and grow to varying sizes, allowing your pond to look natural. Most Ornamental Marginal plants will be grown in planting baskets in the shallower edges of your pond; meaning that they require either a shallow pond or a shelf on the side of the pond.
Like the Oxygenators above, the Ornamental Marginal plants help to oxygenate your pond, remove excess nutrients, and provide aquatic inhabitants with protective cover and spawning grounds.
These type of plants have also been used in the creation of 'Bog Filters', because they are very good at filtering out nutrients from the water. A bog filter consists of a part of your pond which is shallow, with marginal plants installed. The water then gets pumped from your pump to your filter and into the bog marsh, where the plants soak up any excess nutrients and release this back into your pond. This is normally released via a waterfall.
Wildlife Marginal Plants
Wildlife Marginal plants are all great Pollinators as well as being British Natives. This means they will attract a wide variety of pollinating insects and other wildlife. They are also an attractive addition to your pond. Marginal Plants grow well in wet or water logged soil near the water garden's edge or in shallow water.
Like the Oxygenator plants, they help to oxygenate your pond, remove excess nutrients, and provide aquatic inhabitants with protective cover and spawning grounds. They also provide an attractive finish to any pond.
Water Lillies
Lillies are one of the best plants to have in a pond. Submerged beneath the water's surface, these plants allow you to cover a large surface area with only a few plants. When it comes to pond plants, a Lily can be the dazzling centre piece; providing a vast array of colours and sizes when in full bloom. Not only this, but like the other plants in this blog, they are able to provide a wide array of functions. Water Lilies and Lotus are beautiful plants commonly used in ponds; they are deep-water emergent plants have roots that grow deep underwater in planters, so you will need a large, Lily-specific planter.
Because Lillies will spread across the surface of the pond, they are excellent at providing shade; keeping the temperatures cooler in the warmer weather and protecting your fish against heron attacks. By controlling the temperature of the pond, Lillies are also one of the best plants to have when tackling green water and algae! As above, Lillies will control the levels of Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates in the pond; keeping it clear and healthy. They are also incredible oxygenators.
Artificial Plants
While Artificial Plants do not add any Oxygen into your pond, they are extremely good at providing a beautiful aesthetic for your pond. They have a weighted bottom and float around the pond in a natural manner; if you are looking at getting a plant that requires no maintenance but provides a stunning visual effect, these are the plants for you!
As with the previous plants, the artificial plants will be able to to provide protection for your fish and provide an area where eggs can be laid. Artificial Plants can also provide shade to your pond; this helps to prevent algae development by lowering the temperature of the pond.
Floating Planters
Why settle for submerged plants? You can even buy floating planters which will allow you to put plants on the surface of your pond! These are incredible at giving you access to a new layer of foliage that can float across your pond in a controlled manner.
Even though these plants will not control the balance of the pond, they can improve the visual aesthetic on bigger ponds. They provide limited shade (which reduces algae development!) and can help to protect fish from herons.
If you have any further queries, please contact us.