There are two basic levels of pond depth: shelf 1 and shelf zero. Shelf 1 is about 15cm (6″) deep, suitable for tall, upright emergent pond plants; shelf 0 is shallower, a little over two inches below the basket. This shallower level may result in ice on the basket during Winter. Neither shelf should be deeper than the basket itself, because many rafting plants grow horizontally.
Marginal Plants Make a Pond Look Natural
When landscaping a pond, marginal plants are the perfect way to bring beauty to the water. They help soften the transition between the pond and the surrounding land, add color, and act as filters. Plus, they add a natural habitat for fish, aquatic invertebrates, and other wildlife. Marginal plants also help maintain the water’s clarity and keep algae under control. In addition, many species are native to your area and can spread quickly to cover the whole pond.
When planning your pond, choose plants with a variety of heights and textures. Floating leaves and other oxygenating plants should cover about a third or more of the water surface. Complete bare water or a completely covered pond will look too artificial for fish to live. Taller marginal plants are best placed in clusters. However, if you’re designing a large pond, you can plant several plants in a pot.
When creating your pond, you can choose from hundreds of marginal plants in a wide variety of colors and shapes. These plants not only add color and texture to the water, but they also provide valuable filtration and starve algae of nutrients. Furthermore, they attract and feed wildlife to your pond, which can help you keep a more attractive pond. Regardless of the climate, you live in, there’s a marginal plant for you.
When planning your pond, you should consider the water depth and sunlight exposure when choosing marginal plants. The plants you choose should be deep enough to provide a habitat for fish and invertebrates. In addition, marginal plants should be a mix of foliage, flower, and height. Marginal plants are often planted at the margins of a pond’s first shelf. Also, make sure you choose plants that have different flower colors and textures.
Carex elata ‘Aurea’ is a vigorous, long-lived sedge that is an excellent choice for the boggy ground around a pond. Their foliage reflects the water and softens the edges of the pond. Carex elata ‘Aurea’ also makes a great marginal plant, and it’s a popular choice for bog gardens. They can survive dry winters but prefer the shade.
Oxygenating Plants Have All Their Foliage Under the Water
Most ponds come with a liner on the bottom and a preformed pond. It is therefore essential to choose oxygenating plants that will have all of their foliage under the water. Oxygenating plants provide oxygen and habitat for aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. Moreover, they help to maintain the natural balance of the water and keep the pond clear and algae-free.
Among the best types of plants for a pond are the oxygenating ones. These plants, also known as macrophytes, live mostly below the water’s surface but have parts above it. They absorb excess nutrients from the water and release oxygen directly into the pond. Some of the most common examples of such plants include hornwort, anacharis, and eelgrass.
Among the most beneficial plants for a pond are eelgrass, pondweed, and waterlilies. These plants are best for ponds with large fish and deep shelves. While they may not look beautiful in a shallow pond, they offer a great habitat for fish and wildlife. This plant can also provide shade and cover for fish and other pond wildlife.
Besides adding beauty to the pond, oxygenating plants also remove phosphates and nitrates from the water. Moreover, they are a great source of nutrient-rich mulch for your pond. You should consider multiplying the number of plants you intend to use by the area of your pond. For instance, if you have more than a dozen plants in your pond, you should multiply that number by two.
Most pond plants require some sort of sunlight to thrive. Therefore, choose a sunny location for most of your pond plants. Plants with deep shade will generally not flower. However, non-flowering plants such as ivy-leaved duckweed and creeping jenny will grow in deep shade and still look attractive. They will attract birds to your pond all year round.
Other types of oxygenating plants are bog plants. These plants grow well in bog-like conditions and do best at the edges of a pond. Their roots are submerged. They are particularly tough and grow only their foliage above the water. Some of these plants are called marginal plants and have all of their foliage below the water. The leaves of these plants are directly connected to the water and are therefore beneficial to the pond ecosystem.
A British native oxygenating plant is the spiked water milfoil. This plant grows to a diameter of around 12-15 feet around the pond and produces a floating vine that reaches the middle. Its small leaves have tiny projections that prick the water and provide a musky-garlic fragrance. It is a versatile plant for any pond and can be easily managed by hand.
Adding Submerged Oxygenators to a Pond
Adding submerged oxygenators to a plant-filled pond can add a plethora of benefits. These plants grow beneath the water’s surface and occasionally bloom, producing flowers that rise from the water’s surface. These plants are known as oxygenators, and many species, including anacharis, foxtail, vallisneria, and cabomba, take nutrients from the water and balance out the ecosystem by starving algae.
Adding plants to a pond will help control algae growth and keep the water clear for fish. These plants also help filter the water, allowing the fish to thrive. The leaves of these plants absorb excess nutrients from the water, which in turn benefits the fish. In addition, pond plants will compete with algae for nutrients and absorb organic matter left behind by fish. By adding plants, you will be saving hundreds of dollars each season, and hundreds of thousands over the years.
Submerged plants are called oxygenators because they do not require soil to grow. They filter the water, reduce nitrogen, and act as natural filters. They help control the growth of algae. Some plants are similar to groundcovers and annuals. Adding submerged plants to a plant pond can improve the overall ecosystem by removing excess nitrogen and providing a comfortable, safe place for fish to breed.
Some popular plants are waterweed and curled pondweed. Curled pondweed is an excellent choice for a beginner oxygenator because it grows quickly. Waterweed grows in a variety of soil conditions, including a rocky pond. In spring, it emerges as a loose mat and then sinks to the bottom of the pond by winter. The process repeats itself as the seasons change.
There are many types of plant-based oxygenators available, and choosing the best one depends on your pond’s needs. For example, if you plan to plant marginal plants in your pond, you should consider a mud-loving plant such as Ceratophyllum demersum, which can grow to over 2m and stop growing over the Winter. By springtime, however, it will grow back.
Whether you have a pond with fish or an aquatic garden, adding submerged oxygenators will help keep the water cleaner and keep the fish healthy. In addition to helping your fish with oxygen, submerged plants will also act as a protective boundary for koi, and other fish. Learn more about the different types of plants, what to avoid, and which ones are beneficial to your pond. Adding submerged oxygenators to a pond for plants is an excellent way to create a healthier ecosystem for your fish and plants.
To add oxygen to your pond, you can choose a variety of plant species to enhance the environment. If you are unsure of the right choice, you can select a floating plant with foliage above the water’s surface. They will thrive in moderate and deeper water. Floating plants are ideal for ponds with moderate water depths. Plants with sensitive needs, such as parrot’s feather, should be used with caution.
