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Planting a New Pond in Winter

So I’ve moved into a house with a 20k litre pond, and its looking rather sparse! 

The pond is essentially a 0.5m moat that goes completely around a garden office. It is rainwater fed from the office’s  guttering (thankfully with build-in overflows!), and it is filtered by 60K litre per hour worth of mechanical and UV filtration. It is lightly stocked with goldfish, and there is reasonable water circulation due to the powerful pumps and the shape of the pond.

I would like to plant up the pond with some water lilies (planted as rhizomes not leaved-plants), and some Scouring Rush in raised baskets.

My research suggests that the planting season for both of these plants is normally Spring. If I plant them now, will they survive? Is there any other species anyone can suggest? I’m after fish-proof plants that provide shape and interest all-year.

Many thanks!

Posts

  • You shouldn't be limited in plant choice if you choose hardy species like the ones you suggest. There isn't any reason for them not to overwinter fine if you follow their planting requirements (ie don't plant too deep).
    Part of the problem is its not really pond plant season, that stopped at the end of September. This might mean it's hard to get hold of plants but if you can it could be cheaper as they look to move them on at garden centres. If you just have goldfish then they don't tend to limit your selection ime as they aren't anywhere near as destructive as koi. Any marginals should be safe, oxygenators such as hornwort are generally left alone but you might see some nibbling on new lily leaves but generally not enough to stop them growing like mad. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Another benefit of waiting until Spring is that if we have a really cold snap, you won't have to worry about the plants, as they're still at the nurseries.
    Devon.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Many pond plants become dormant and effectively disappear in winter so they are not stocked in garden centres and are difficult to get hold of. Ponds tend to look a bit bare at this time of year, anyway. I have goldfish in my pond. When I plant anything I put a layer of pebbles on the top of the basket to hold down the planting medium and the fish never touch it or the plants.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with the others - wait until spring when there'll be more plants available, and they'll get going and give you a result more readily. 
    If there's plants available that you want, there's nothing to stop you getting them, but you'll have to be sure they're all suitable for the circumstances you have, and your general conditions, so that you can maintain them correctly.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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