Ponds and Pond Plants

Goldfish Heaven!

Level 2 and Level 3 pond plants

On Sunday a friend and I took a drive out to check out a new greenhouse. Echo Glen Gardens is about  40 km away, but was well worth the drive. We attended a free pond plant workshop that afternoon which was quite informative. I had little knowledge about the different levels to plant different types of pond vegetation. 

Level 1 is the moisture loving plants that grow around the edge of the pond. I have several wild rose bushes, some perennial geraniums, and some bridal bouquet, as well as a couple day lilies and bearded irises. Most of these were already growing here when we 'inherited' the pond.

Level 2 are the plants that like to have wet roots, the pot needs to be partly submerged in water, (Like the little papyrus plant) and Level 3 are the plants that like to have the whole pot underwater, but not the plants themselves.  

Submerged Mare's tail pond plant

Level 4 are the plants that like to be under the water completely such as the Mare's Tail plant the will grow 18 inches tall UNDER the WATER! 

Level 5 plants like to be in the deepest part of the pond.  Water lilies are a level 5 plant and their pot needs to be down deep, although the lily leaves will float on the top, as will the lily flower that will  eventually grow.  And did you know that there are fertilizers to put in your pond water that will encourage your water beauties to bloom?  I wonder what effect that would have on the algae bloom in the pond water though....

Then there are the pond floaters, such as water lettuce and water hyacinths.  They help to shade the pond which helps to hinder algae growth; Plus the floating plants give the fish someplace to hide. 

I bought a color changing water lily, where the blossoms are supposed to change color as they grow and open. I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom!  I found out that pond plants should be put out when the pond water is warm, as warm as bath water! LOL! (When does that happen here on the prairies? July maybe....)  So for now I have the water lily and hyacinths in a bucket in the house! :) 

The other interesting thing I found out was that water lilies and hyacinths don't like to be splashed, (otherwise the leaves turn black), so it's important not to put them near the fountain or running water in your pond.