Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Edge cover for ponds

2

Posts

  • WhippetWhippet Posts: 145
    I used a product on my pond edges called Rock on a Roll (https://rock-on-a-roll.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9J2Pm-qB_gIVpIFbCh1gBwvaEAAYASAAEgJyj_D_BwE) and I love it.  It's a little like sandpaper meets textured wallpaper, really, but it blends nicely and gives the little creatures a bit of grip on the sides of the pond without scorching them.  It's expensive, but I am very happy with it.


    Thankyou for the link :)
  • WhippetWhippet Posts: 145
    Hostafan1 said:
    I'd avoid creeping jenny at all costs. 
    We moved here 11 years ago, and I'm still getting rid of it
    Noted :)  Thankyou
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There are plenty of ground cover plants that will cover edges - many Saxifrages and Arabis for sunny or semi shaded parts will do that, and Ajuga will also work and will trail as it spreads. Most of those are evergreen, and will cope with most soils that aren't waterlogged, or constantly dry. Armeria [thrift] is good although wouldn't suit being in water at all as it prefers drier conditions. Pulsatillas are also good in among those plants.

    If you're seeing the pond all year round- ie from your house windows in winter, as well as when you're outdoors,  it's worth having evergreens as much as possible. You can add spring bulbs and things like Hellebores too. Some marginal plants [ for a shelf] are evergreen, or almost evergreen too. I have a corkscrew rush which only gets a bit manky in the worst of winter weather. Equisetums are ideal too. 
    I have all of the above around/in my pond, along with Primulas and Ligularia , but those like some moister soil, with a reasonable amount of shade for the primulas, and sun for the ligularias. 
    Some plants with varying heights will help to prevent it all looking 'samey' too, so Irises, Veronicas and Liatris and other verticals are useful in the surroundings. 
    A photo would really help though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've used Creeping Thyme for the same reason as you.
    It worked really well.
    But then foxes (I'm guessing) kept weeing on it which caused dead patches...
    Other than that it works well.
    The bees love it and can be used in cooking - but maybe not my specimen :)




    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - I always forget about thyme @Pete.8, as it can be a bit hit and miss here. There's a really good low growing, ground hugging one [T. russettings?] which is quite reliable if I remember correctly, and there's one which is taller which I used to have. Can't remember what that's called though, but there are plenty of varieties available.
    I don't like pale pink, so I don't grow them now. I had a white one in this garden but I lost it a few years ago. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WhippetWhippet Posts: 145
    Pete.8 said:
    I've used Creeping Thyme for the same reason as you.
    It worked really well.
    But then foxes (I'm guessing) kept weeing on it which caused dead patches...
    Other than that it works well.
    The bees love it and can be used in cooking - but maybe not my specimen :)



    This looks very attractive. Thankyou for the idea
  • WhippetWhippet Posts: 145
    Fairygirl said:
    There are plenty of ground cover plants that will cover edges - many Saxifrages and Arabis for sunny or semi shaded parts will do that, and Ajuga will also work and will trail as it spreads. Most of those are evergreen, and will cope with most soils that aren't waterlogged, or constantly dry. Armeria [thrift] is good although wouldn't suit being in water at all as it prefers drier conditions. Pulsatillas are also good in among those plants.

    If you're seeing the pond all year round- ie from your house windows in winter, as well as when you're outdoors,  it's worth having evergreens as much as possible. You can add spring bulbs and things like Hellebores too. Some marginal plants [ for a shelf] are evergreen, or almost evergreen too. I have a corkscrew rush which only gets a bit manky in the worst of winter weather. Equisetums are ideal too. 
    I have all of the above around/in my pond, along with Primulas and Ligularia , but those like some moister soil, with a reasonable amount of shade for the primulas, and sun for the ligularias. 
    Some plants with varying heights will help to prevent it all looking 'samey' too, so Irises, Veronicas and Liatris and other verticals are useful in the surroundings. 
    A photo would really help though.  :)
    I have 4 photos but cant get them to add...will ask son next time he;s here :)  Thankyou for all the suggestions and advice.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Mind your own business plant. Does get caught by frosts but underneath the plant continues and does come back.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Did you click on the icon for adding pix @Whippet? The one that looks like a hill?
    If you keep them on the smaller side they load more easily. I resize all mine to around 1MB or less.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • janetfossjanetfoss Posts: 303
    Hostafan1 said:
    I'd avoid creeping jenny at all costs. 
    We moved here 11 years ago, and I'm still getting rid of it
    Oh heck. I planted some last year along one side of my pond, thinking it'll  be beneficial for  wildlife. It's behaved so far, but I do like the idea of creeping thyme.  
Sign In or Register to comment.