Wildlife Pond

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Don't despair Bouncy, It pulls out really easy roots as well. I have had it in my pond for over two years. I get a garden rake and just rake the top now and again..Its that other stuff you got to worry about (pennywort)..

i'm not really worrying yet Kayleigh everythings at the experimetal stage anyway, which is really exciting, not knowing whats going to SINK OR SWIM??!! if you pardon the pun.

I've put allsorts in FROGBIT,WATER SOLDIER,HORNWORT,WATER FORGET ME NOTS AND A PIGMY LILLIE in the smaller of the two ponds and NYMPHEA ALBA in the larger pond...

thought i saw a bit of DUCKWEED floating around the other day as well which is slightly worrying

[paddy]

I wondered if your 'muddy patch' will stay muddy when we get to summer. It might be an idea to dig a patch of it out and place some polythene below it and put some small holes at 6" intervals to allow for partial drainage, but some moisture retention. If you want a whole lifecycle for dragonflies rather than occasional visits, you'll need some emergent, spear-like leaved plants (like iris) for egg laying and emergence of the larvae, and some cover in the pond. I lost a lot of larvae to diving beetle larva last year while the pond was still in its first year. Callitriche verna is a good grower, even at depth, and is a superb oxygenator as well. Water cress is another great water conditioner in the pond's young days.....
Brooklime (veronica beccabunga) grows well round the edges - a bit invasive, but easily controlled, and provides loads of attractive blue flowers in the summer.
Although growing tall (to about 5ft) hemp agrimony is a superb 'flying beast' attractor and the heads can be cut and dried for indoor displays to remind you of the successful summer!