Beginners Guide To Choosing Aquatic Pond Water Plants Including Water Lilies
How To Select Aquatic Pond Plants For Your Water Garden
Aquatic pond plants come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique appeal! Generally speaking the majority fall into one of the following categories: deep water plants; marginal plants, oxygenators and floating pond plants.
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In a new pond build it is important to let your water plants get used to their new surroundings before introducing Koi, goldfish and other popular pond fish species.
Deep Water Tropical Water Lily
Tropical water lilies are probably the most beautiful of pond plants, mainly due to their large flowers and fragrant smell. They are perfect for those pond keepers who live in warmer climates, with year round sunshine. They need day time temperatures of at least 75 Fahrenheit and night time temperatures of at least 65 Fahrenheit.
Tropical water lily plants come in shades of white, yellow, pink, red, blue and purple. Tropical water lilies are either day blooming or night blooming plants. They are considered winter-hardy only in USA zone 8 or higher.
Alas, if you live in a colder climate you can still keep water lilies but you will have to be prepared to bring them indoors and over winter in a frost free green house and buy some heating equipment, for the cooler night time temperatures.
Deep Water Hardy Water Lily
Hardy water lilies, while not quite as extravagant as their tropical cousins are able to remain in the pond all year round, even in cold weather conditions. They are a hardy water plant variety capable of living in deep ponds up to 8 to 10 feet in depth. They need between 5 hours and 10 hours of sunshine per day, depending upon species.
Hardy water lily varieties are one of the easiest pond plants to grow. They are suitable for fish ponds in USA zones 3 to 11. Like the proverbial friend, hardy water lilies appear year in and year out. They are a sure sign that spring is on its way. The myriad of colors, including yellow, pink, white, red, and peach will add a touch of color to any water garden.
Many of the hardy water lily varieties in existence today are as a direct result of the work carried out by French nurseryman Mnsr Latour-Marliac, who started producing some exquisite hybrid water lily plants in the 19th Century.
Whether you are looking for tropical water lily plants or native hardy lilies you will need to have an understanding of their needs if you want them to grow successfully. Selecting the right choice of lily to suit your own needs is one of the most important factors in ensuring success.
When To Plant Water Lilies
The best time to plant aquatic lilies is between late spring and summer, so that they have a chance to establish themselves before the winter frost appears. These aquatic plants need a bit of preening before placing them into your pond; prune long roots, remove long stems and pull off any old foliage to make way for new growth. Place them in a plastic mesh pond basket. Depending upon the species you will be able to place them at different depths in your pond. They may need a bit of support at first.
Unfortunately beautiful water lilies only have blooms for a few days at a time. Once the blooms look like they are past there best it is advisable to remove the blooms, along with any old leaves. This will prevent the pond from becoming polluted by any decaying leaves.
Deep Water Lotus Aquatic Plants
If you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate and have a large pond that is at least 2 or 3 feet deep then you can be the proud owner of the beautiful aquatic Lotus plant. Some strains are hardier than others so make your selection wisely. If huge flowering blooms are what you are looking for then a lotus plant is a great choice! It simply stands out from the crowd.
Lotus aquatic plants can be grown in USA zones 3 to 11. The truly beautiful Lotus has magnificent blossoms and is considered sacred in many cultures. These wonderful pond plants come in shades of white, pink, red, and yellow.
Shallow Water Marginal aquatic plants
These reed like pond plants are more commonly known as marginals or bog plants. They live in the shallow areas of your pond, in the margins where the water depth is no more than 6 inches. They also thrive in muddy areas.
Shallow water bog plants will either be considered to be a hardy bog plant which will winter well in the cold northern states or a tropical bog plant which will need to be over wintered in a green house.
Popular examples of this grass like plants include the Cattail, Floating Heart, Flowering Rush, Japanese Water Iris, Bulrush, Papyrus, Spider Lily and Marsh Marigold. They need at least 3 hours of sunshine per day to keep a smile on their face. Marginal bog plants add height and texture to the pond. They have interesting foliage and many sport beautiful flowers. They should be a serious consideration for any water garden.
Under water Oxygenators
Oxygenators (submersed plants) are a pond friendly plant variety that provide valuable oxygen and help to control the levels of both suspended planktonic algae and filamentous string algae varieties. They are also a tasty tit bit for pond fish and are capable of toughing it through cold winter spells. Pond fish use Hornwort and other oxygenators as spawning medium or as a place to hide from predatory birds. Popular species include the Hornwort, Canadian pond weed and water milfoil.
Floating Aquatic Water Plants
Floating pond plants such as Water hyacinths are extremely popular amongst many pond keepers. These floating aquatic plants do not need to be planted. They simply float around the pond, with roots in tow. They block out sunlight from the water surface and help to fight off blanket weed and green pond algae. They are however much like the Roman Army of ancient times in that they maraud everywhere and take over. You will need to keep this water plant species under control.
Any fish pond will benefit from the addition of aquatic pond plants. The secret is to make sure that you do not let them run riot and grow out of control. When choosing the particular species of plant always check to make sure that it suitable for the climate range that you live in. Some plant varieties will need to be removed from your pond before the frost kicks in. Remember that a water garden should have about a third plant coverage to at least two-thirds water. This will keep perfect symmetry and avoid an over populated appearance and ensure lots of reflections.
USDA Climate Zones
Are You Curious To Know What Plants Need?
Every plant species has its own predetermined basic requirements. The following requirements will impact upon whether the particular pond plant species will flourish and propagate the next generation:
Length of day ... The length of day is critical for growth, development and preparation for seasonal changes.
Radiation ... Plants require radiation within a specified range. Factors such as rain, clouds, nearby plants will affect the level of radiation the plant is subjected to. Plants survive only where the amount of radiation falls within a specified range.
Temperature ... The temperature has an effect on the development of all plant species. Some varieties are capable of surviving and are adaptable to extreme differences in temperature, whilst others need a much more constant temperature.
Frost ... The ability to cope with frost is dependant upon species and the genetic make up. Some species die, given the first signs of frost, whereas other plants do not seem to be affected and carry on regardless.
Heat ... Like frost the ability to cope with heat and sun depends upon species. Traditionally plants are categorized as sun, partial sun and shade types; they are planted according to their predetermined requirements.
Rainfall ... All plant varieties require a specific amount of water. This is a factor to bear in mind when landscaping a pond or garden.
pH ... The ability of a plant to take up water and nutrients will depend upon the pH presence of soluble and insoluble salts, and aeration of the growing medium. All plant varieties, in order to grow require a pH within a specific range and essential nutrients in a predetermined ratio.
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