I have a very similar sized pond also in part shade. It is planted with a flowering rush and contains both milfoil and water crowfoot (I removed the elodea as it was far too vigorous) I then ensure that the surrounding soil is very moisture retentive and grow marginal plants there rather than in the pond, (marsh marigold, variegated iris etc).
No Fish. but planty of water fleas, tadpoles, damselflies etc.
Callitriche verna is a good choice for your plant. It's an oxygenating plant which forms mats of foliage. They usually blossom in March and dies during winter.
Water Violet or Hottonia palustris is also a good choice for flowering plants. They usually bloom from May to June with a bright green feathery foliage.
Water Crowfoot or Ranunculus aquatilis is also a great choice if you like flowers. This blooms white flowers during April to July. - Jane
You should buy Hornwort if you can rather than Elodea. Elodea is not native and can be invasive in a small pond. I have just installed a similar small preformed pond. At to moment it has Bogbean in (floating), Hornwart (oxygenator), small water lilly called Helvola, and a small leaved floating thing which I forgot the name of. I also have a pot of the miniature bullrush in there for damselflies to climb out of the pond and dry their wings. I would also like to get hold of some Frogbit. This is a good site:
I have just joined this site and I am pleased I did as the advise is wonderful . I have just made a wildlife pond after a heron took all my fish so thought I would turn it into a wildlife pond, I am looking for info on the best plants for wildlife.
...and some plants to suck up the nutrients prevent algae / green water...eg
Water hyacinths
Water forget-me.not
...and some marginal plants for visual appeal...eg
Water mint
Mini rushes
Water primrose
and a few floating plants to create shaded areas for wildlife to hide...eg
Water lilies
Frogbit
Water lettuce
Also, I'd go to a local established pond or a neighbour's pond and get a bucket of silt. This will contain enough lavae and nymphs to get your pond started. in terms of aquatic life. Pond snails are an especially important part of the ecosystem of a pond.
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I have a very similar sized pond also in part shade. It is planted with a flowering rush and contains both milfoil and water crowfoot (I removed the elodea as it was far too vigorous) I then ensure that the surrounding soil is very moisture retentive and grow marginal plants there rather than in the pond, (marsh marigold, variegated iris etc).
No Fish. but planty of water fleas, tadpoles, damselflies etc.
Callitriche verna is a good choice for your plant. It's an oxygenating plant which forms mats of foliage. They usually blossom in March and dies during winter.
Water Violet or Hottonia palustris is also a good choice for flowering plants. They usually bloom from May to June with a bright green feathery foliage.
Water Crowfoot or Ranunculus aquatilis is also a great choice if you like flowers. This blooms white flowers during April to July. - Jane
You should buy Hornwort if you can rather than Elodea. Elodea is not native and can be invasive in a small pond. I have just installed a similar small preformed pond. At to moment it has Bogbean in (floating), Hornwart (oxygenator), small water lilly called Helvola, and a small leaved floating thing which I forgot the name of. I also have a pot of the miniature bullrush in there for damselflies to climb out of the pond and dry their wings. I would also like to get hold of some Frogbit. This is a good site:
http://www.puddleplants.co.uk/home.php
I got mine from here:
http://www.watersidenursery.co.uk/is/wildlifePonds.aspx
I have just joined this site and I am pleased I did as the advise is wonderful . I have just made a wildlife pond after a heron took all my fish so thought I would turn it into a wildlife pond, I am looking for info on the best plants for wildlife.
You'll need some 'oxygenators' to keep the water oxygen rich to support aquatic wildlife.
http://www.pondexpert.co.uk/picking-oxygenators-for-pond.html
...and some plants to suck up the nutrients prevent algae / green water...eg
Water hyacinths
Water forget-me.not
...and some marginal plants for visual appeal...eg
Water mint
Mini rushes
Water primrose
and a few floating plants to create shaded areas for wildlife to hide...eg
Water lilies
Frogbit
Water lettuce
Also, I'd go to a local established pond or a neighbour's pond and get a bucket of silt. This will contain enough lavae and nymphs to get your pond started. in terms of aquatic life. Pond snails are an especially important part of the ecosystem of a pond.