Water Garden Plants
*Shade water reducing algae
* Oxygenate water
* Clean water
* Habitat for fish spawn
* Protect fish from predators
* Habitat for other pond life - e.g. breeding ground for dragonflies (a good insect that eats the bad guys) And not only that, but they are darn pretty to look at as well.
There are several different classes of pond plants you're going to want in your pond.
Oxygenators
These are floating or submerged leafy plants that add oxygen to the pond water and serve to clear it up and prevent algae. They act as bio-filters to clean the water and while you can't see them (they're under the water surface) they are an essential part of the pond ecology.
Marginal Plants
These are planted on the margins of the pond - in shallow water or in extremely wet soils. These give protective cover to small animals such as frogs and provide a transition zone (soften the edges) of the pond. Marginal plants flower and have interesting leaf forms so we grow them for landscaping purposes as well as the environmental benefits they bring.
Bog Plants
Surrounding many ponds in nature are low-lying areas that remain damp all year long. These damp areas act as large bio-filters for our natural water sources and we can easily recreate a small area beside our own ponds where we grow specialty plants such as Japanese Iris (easy in bogs).
Water Lilies
Ah, we all fall in love with these gorgeous flowers and lust after the latest and biggest and most fragrant of these stunning water garden plants.Not only are they gorgeous, they are a necessity in the balanced pond because of their ability to shade the water and provide a home for a wide range of small creatures.
Lotus
I've given Lotus a section all to themselves even though they are really marginal or bog type plants. The reason is because they are so gorgeous, they deserve a place by themselves. And when we love a plant like this, why not feature it.
Still have questions about water garden plants?