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Turning water “feature” into mini pond.

JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
in Wildlife gardening
I have given up trying to keep my above ground water feature clean and decided to add some water plants. I have already attracted a couple of passing dragonflies and the hoverflies and bees have started using the plants to get a drink. Any ideas how to do more?
Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I was thinking maybe a miniature water lily ?
    This nursery has lots of advice 
     https://www.watersidenursery.co.uk/tips-advice/combinations-of-plants-for-my-container-pond/

    PS Love the sign, l have the same one. Unfortunately it would appear that weeds can't read  :)
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Water hawthorn may be worth considering as it flowers from Spring thru summer/autumn in the right location and is a good plant for surface cover too.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    As it's a small area only choose a water lily that stays small.  Other suggestions: Water forget-me not, water mint, brooklime and you'll need an oxygenator like hornwort.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I’ve bookmarked the site AnniD as they have some great ideas on tips, thanks.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • TigerFeetTigerFeet Posts: 35
    Sisyrinchium californicum    yellow eyed grass and  Carex acuta   slender tufted sedge (  just been checking the labels)  look good if you want height. I find that Brooklime grows too fast for my small pond, the roots get tangled  with other plants so I have to regularly remove some of it. It is popular with bees though.
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    That's a nice little wildlife pond there, Jacqui.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Thanks tui. Tigerfeet the plant I have in the submerged pot is the one you suggest, yellow eyed grass. I think when I bought it what I thought were buds to come were actually seed pods. I have taken some off to try to solicit new flowers.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It’s good to have that depth. 

    Can critters get in and out easily? 
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    As I’m on the 1st floor I’m unlikely to get anything “crawling or jumping….” But I have put in floating plants that the bees and ladybirds have used as “life rafts”.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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