How to select the correct plants for you garden and water pond?
A garden pond looks marvelous when plants are added to it. You must select plants that can thrive in conditions created by the pond, such as water logging. You must also take into consideration the individual requirements of the plants in respect of position, light, soil and depth of water sure that they will flourish.
After building the pond you will need to visit the local garden center and select a few plants to add to the pond. Plants from aquarium retailers and specialist water garden nurseries are best as most of the plants there are adopted for life on the pond. You need to plan the planting and must consider how many plants the pond can accommodate.
Plants such as Iris pseudocorus (marsh or water Iris) grows well in water of up to a depth of 25cm. when planting your plants in a pond ensure that you only make use of nutrient-poor soil. This is because nutrient-rich or fertilized soil promotes algae formation and will have serious consequences for the quality of the water. Compost which has clay and sand in a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 is ideal for the pond plants.
Tips on planting
Planting should be started from spring right through to autumn. Pond plants will be in plant containers and thus there is no risk of damage to roots when planting so the plants will continue to grow. When planting follow the general rules
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4-6 plants should be planted per sq m in the marginal zone
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3-4 plants per sq m in the shallow water zone
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for water lilies, the number will depend on the speed of growth
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2-3 underwater plants per sq m of water surface
Planting and caring for water lilies
Not all water lilies are ideal for every pond, as different varieties have various requirements with respect to planting or water depth. The majority of water lilies have a longish, rounded rhizome which continues to grow at the vegetative tip, while the older parts slowly die. When planting these rhizomes there is a great need to lay them horizontally or at a slight angle in the soil.
Water lilies should be planted in mesh baskets. Before planting shorten the roots of the rhizomes to about a hand's width. Decayed parts should be cut off and cut surfaces should be brushed with charcoal powder to prevent decay. The dead leaves and flowers need to be removed using a shape knife.
Water lilies can be over wintered by sliding them into the deep water zone. Non-hardy water lilies should be over wintered in a cool room and covered with dead leaves. The rhizomes should be checked and decayed parts must be cut out.