Mint is great for fish cover, but like it's culinary pal it's very invasive so keep it contained or it'll take over the whole pond. It'll grow on boggy ground as well. I had a corkscrew rush in my last pond which was very attractive and good cover for fish. Juncus effusis 'Spiralis' is it's name I think. Caltha palustris - the marsh marigold is useful for margins or boggy areas and will seed around. It can almost be a weed if it likes it's home! It's in flower at this time of year so a handy one for some early colour. A really useful one is Equisetum which is a relative of Horsetail , but before you panic, it's a cultivated form. I had it in my first pond - it's very architectural and ideal for dragonflies to climb out the pond when they're ready.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairy. I had rather intended on keeping all my plants in the large plastic baskets you can get (which at least allows me to make the 12th adjustment to their position in the first month as I am awful for things like that!) That should be enough to keep the plants (esp. the mint) contained shouldn't it?
Blue/Purple Iris (definitely not native but a beautiful colour)
Greater pond sedge (native & good for wildlife)
Water mint (native & good for pollinators)
Fringe lily (native & will provide some much needed shelter for the fish)
Hair grass (native)
Arrowhead native (native)
Oh dear this could get expensive. I just hope the pond is big enough!!
(This must be what girly girls feel like when clothes shopping!!)
Here's a list I compiled. I got it from the NHM website, then they took it down. I have noticed a couple of mistakes but more than 99.9 accurate.
Use your find facility on your browser to check if they're included on the list. If not, it's probably not native.
By the way, don't totally exclude the idea of none-natives, especially if it's a species, that is not a hybrid and closely related to our native stuff, such as Siberian Iris which are like our yellow flag but blue. There's a few very similar and all will play the same role for bees. Avoid hybrids because they could well offer little benefit for wildlife, not always but it's more likely, if in doubt do without.
Hi Clarington, delighted you asked this question – I’m in the same situation desperate to get planting up a new pond (filled last October). I’ll be back here to keep an eye on this thread
Clari big pots will be fine for the mint. It's easy enough to pull out if it gets thuggish anyway. I know what you mean about moving things - a pond's no different to a border in that respect!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
At least anything that goes a little "too well" in the pond can't escape across the borders like other weeds! My parents have a large pond which fills with this one oxygenating weed. I don't know what type it is only that we damn near fainted when we saw it for sale at £5 for a few pathetic little strands and there we were removing two or three wheelbarrows a year at least just to avoid the fish being smothered in it!
Oh well. Inching closer to March! I'm rather looking forward to BBQ season!
Posts
Wouldn't know how girly girls feel Clari!
Mint is great for fish cover, but like it's culinary pal it's very invasive so keep it contained or it'll take over the whole pond. It'll grow on boggy ground as well. I had a corkscrew rush in my last pond which was very attractive and good cover for fish. Juncus effusis 'Spiralis' is it's name I think. Caltha palustris - the marsh marigold is useful for margins or boggy areas and will seed around. It can almost be a weed if it likes it's home! It's in flower at this time of year so a handy one for some early colour. A really useful one is Equisetum which is a relative of Horsetail , but before you panic, it's a cultivated form. I had it in my first pond - it's very architectural and ideal for dragonflies to climb out the pond when they're ready.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairy. I had rather intended on keeping all my plants in the large plastic baskets you can get (which at least allows me to make the 12th adjustment to their position in the first month as I am awful for things like that!) That should be enough to keep the plants (esp. the mint) contained shouldn't it?
Here's a list I compiled. I got it from the NHM website, then they took it down. I have noticed a couple of mistakes but more than 99.9 accurate.
Use your find facility on your browser to check if they're included on the list. If not, it's probably not native.
By the way, don't totally exclude the idea of none-natives, especially if it's a species, that is not a hybrid and closely related to our native stuff, such as Siberian Iris which are like our yellow flag but blue. There's a few very similar and all will play the same role for bees. Avoid hybrids because they could well offer little benefit for wildlife, not always but it's more likely, if in doubt do without.
Hi Clarington, delighted you asked this question – I’m in the same situation desperate to get planting up a new pond (filled last October). I’ll be back here to keep an eye on this thread
Shirlsgw my local pond place has told me they'll be getting plants in from mid-March (and they have all of the ones on my list). Not long now!
The info above is great, and will help me when I make my pond this summer.
Thanks Clarington,
I think it will be the same up my way. I've ordered a couple of plants online so we will see when they turn up - prob mid to late March with them.
Clari big pots will be fine for the mint. It's easy enough to pull out if it gets thuggish anyway. I know what you mean about moving things - a pond's no different to a border in that respect!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
At least anything that goes a little "too well" in the pond can't escape across the borders like other weeds! My parents have a large pond which fills with this one oxygenating weed. I don't know what type it is only that we damn near fainted when we saw it for sale at £5 for a few pathetic little strands and there we were removing two or three wheelbarrows a year at least just to avoid the fish being smothered in it!
Oh well. Inching closer to March! I'm rather looking forward to BBQ season!