Pond Supplies

[Perry Grin]

Hi all,

Could someone help me choose some pond supplies. As a result of listening to a lonely old frog calling out for a 'mate' during the last couple of weeks (he's sat in my goldfish pond) I have finally got round to digging a wildlife pond. Only a small affair, but better than nothing.

I have made room for a bog garden around three sides of it. I intend to transplant some flag iris and variegated reed (not sure what type, but it looks nice and provides loads of cover) from my existing pond. I will try to get my hands on some purple loosestrife and marshmint but also want to find something that will grow from the edges into the pond. Any advice?

Cheers in advance

Perry

[Susie]

Water forgetmenot is a good one, as is marsh marigold. You could also plant bog bean and cuckoo flower.

Good luck with your pond. Lucky frog to get a built to order des-res!

[schlocky]

Avoid:-

Azolla (water fern) - covers the surface completely & v. difficult to remove

recommended:-

Water violet (Hottonia palustris) V.pretty flowers and attractive foliage which also gives good cover for invertebrates and is an oxygenator

lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) goes nicely with water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) (yellow & blue flowers respectively).

White water lily (native) if you have room.

Try to keep autumn leaves and garden soil out of the pond as this encourages rapid growth of plants such as duckweed-you'll be forever weeding!

Yellow flag-iris is supposed to attract damselflies.

Have fun!

[Jez]

Bog Bean/ Water Clover (as already suggested), Giant Marigold, Water Mint (as already suggested), Water Parsnip, Amphibious Bistort, Flowering Rush, Brooklime, Arrow Head, Marsh Marigold, Water Starwort, Water Forget Me Not (as already suggested), Water Violet, Fringed Water Lily, (as it grows to 1ft in height), Tufted Loosestrife and Mares Tail.

[Perry Grin]

Today I planted marsh marigold, watermint, snakes head fritillary (just liked the look of it) and transplanted some grass and flag iris from my existing pond. Looking a bit sad and sparse at the moment but I'm hoping it will grow up quickly. Quite liked the water forget-me-not but I'm a bit short of space so I'll see how the others take and then go from there.

Thanks, Jez, Schlocky and Susie for your advice. When it's looking a little less embarassing I might post a photo or two!

Perry

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Perry Grin

When it's looking a little less embarassing I might post a photo or two!

Perry

It sound great what you are doing . I think it would be great to see piccies how it looks now, then be able to see the difference when it has filled out a bit.
I have a couple of mini ponds with water mint, it was reccomended here last year and its wonderful, smells great and attracts lots of insects. If you have room Cardamine pratnsis (Ladies smock) is also good to have, its the food plant for orange tip butterflies and bees like it.

Don't be shy - please give us a look at all your hard work .

[Kayleigh]

Hi Perry Grin, frogs don't need a big pond, they will soon colonise it. Please put some pics up.
I had water forget me not last year I don't know if it has survived the winter. I hope it has.
I have Astilbe's next to my pond they are lovely.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Hi Perry Grin, frogs don't need a big pond, they will soon colonise it. Please put some pics up.
I had water forget me not last year I don't know if it has survived the winter. I hope it has.
I have Astilbe's next to my pond they are lovely.

Hello kayleigh, Last year I put a pink astilbes next to my pond, but in the winter it looked as if it had totally died so I cut it to the ground. Today I notice its about 1 inch high so it looks as if it is growing back. Did yours die back winter time ? sheila

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by shei111

Hello kayleigh, Last year I put a pink astilbes next to my pond, but in the winter it looked as if it had totally died so I cut it to the ground. Today I notice its about 1 inch high so it looks as if it is growing back. Did yours die back winter time ? sheila

Yes! they are herbaceous (they die down to soil level in winter). They are perennial so last a few years too.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Yes! they are herbaceous (they die down to soil level in winter). They are perennial so last a few years too.

Oh lovely it was so pretty last year I did think id lost it. When we moved here I did buy as much perrenials as possible because my laaand was only grass and I wanted a instant lived in garden oh thanks for that kayleigh. sheila