Introduction One of the main reasons for having plants in your pond is to oxygenate and help to filter the water. There are however many other reasons, both aesthetic and practical, for taking the time to plant your pond.
Types of Plant
There are 6 categories of plant known as zones, and each zone relates to the level of water in which you can house your plants.
- Zone 1 plants can be planted in the shallowest areas and can even be planted in the earth around the edge of the pond, particularly if the pond is apt to overflow. The plants that do well in Zone 1 are generically known as Bog Plants and include, Bog Bean, Chinese Globe Flower, Cuckoo Flower and Forget-Me-Not
- Zone 2 and 3 plants need to be planted in baskets, well below the surface, with soil specially prepared for pond conditions (Aquatic Compost). The plants that do well in Zones 1 and 2 are generically known as Marginal’s and include, Iris, Arrowhead, Creeping Jenny and Common Cotton Grass
- Zone 4 and 5 plants also need to be in baskets but are placed in the deepest part of the pond in soil specially prepared for pond conditions (Aquatic Compost). The plants that do will in Zones 4 and 5 are generically known as Deep Water Plants and include Lilies, Water Hawthorn and Golden Club
- Zone 6 plants float on the surface of the water and need no additional soil, they will move around the pond with the water flow and are generically known as Floating Plants, and include Fibre Optic Plant, Hair Grass, Hornwort and Water Soldier.
In addition to oxygenating your pond, plants will also provide cover and shade for your fish in the summer and protection during the winter. The plants will also help to naturally filter the water and absorb a lot of the excess nutrients, reducing algae growth. It will encourage breeding if there are areas where fish can safely spawn, reducing the chance of the eggs being eaten by other fish. Once the eggs have hatched the babies will look for places to hide until they grow big enough not to be eaten by larger fish, and it will be around the Deep Water Plants near the bottom of the pond where the babies will seek refuge.
The right combination of plants will create a natural ecosystem that will require little or no intervention from chemicals to correct and balance the water quality, and will considerably reduce the amount of pond maintenance you have to carry out consequently; your fish will be healthier. There are also lots of other wildlife and species that thrive from these plants in ponds. Ducks, turtles and tortoises, insects, and so much more. They really are the source of new oxygen being brought into the water.
Conclusion
A pond that has been planted with consideration and forethought will have plants growing throughout the year. If you find that your fish have a tendency to nibble on the roots or leaves of the plants to the point where they are causing serious damage, you may want to consider supplementing or increasing their food intake because they may be hungry.
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