Planting a pond is not much different than planning out the landscape design around your house. Follow along and we are going to show you how to plant your new pond. Just like any good project, it starts with planning. Planting your pond properly doesn’t just take place in the water. All the pieces need to come together to make your water feature feel like it is one with its surroundings.
Top 5 Plants For Planting A Pond
While planning your layout the best rule of thumb is to place the larger taller plants in the background and the shorter plants in the foreground. Keep things interesting by incorporating rocks or boulders into the landscape to tie everything together. Let's get started with our list!
Ornamental Grasses
This is the most general of all the plants on our list. The term 'ornamental grass' refers to a wide variety of grasses ranging in size from a few inches to a few feet. The color spectrum for these versatile plants has just about every color of the rainbow. The variety of textures and colors will add interest to any landscape.
Almost all ornamental grasses are perennials, meaning they come back every season. Most varieties are resistant to drought and can survive harsh winters, making them great candidates for your landscape. Be sure to check the USDA hardiness zone map to be sure the grass you choose will thrive in your area.
Ornamental grasses make great backdrops around the edges of your water feature where you want to keep something out of sight and still have access to it. For example in the video below, our UV light is hidden in plain sight behind some tall ornamental grass.
This technique gives us easy full access to equipment while keeping it all behind the scenes.
Additional Care
Most varieties of ornamental grasses grow fairly quickly spreading at a steady pace. Clumps of grasses should be divided every 2 to 3 years.
Most varieties can survive drought, but do not like wet soil. Unlike bog plants, these plants do not like to be in water for long periods of time. Be sure there is ample drainage where you intend to place them.
Ornamental grasses do best when planted in full sun. They and can survive in most soil conditions, and are resilient to disease and backyard pests like rabbits and deer.
Water Iris
Moving one step closer to the water comes our next type of plants. These are the bog plants. This type of plant can live in or out of the water and creates a nice transition from land to water. Water Iris fall into this category. They will create a border that softens the transition from land to water.
The water iris, These are beautiful plants that bloom in late spring early summer. They come in a variety of colors, my favorite being deep purple variety. The great thing about these is they can be planted on a shallow shelf around the edge of your pond about 4 inches below the surface.
These versatile plants will also do well planted out of the water in moist soil around the perimeter of the pond.
When to plant
The best time to plant water iris is in the fall. At this time the plant has time to get established before winter. Water iris can be planted any time of year if you live in a warmer climate.
Light requirements
Water irises do best when planted in full sun. Allow for at least 6 hours of sun for these plants to thrive.
Additional Care
When getting your pond ready for winter, cut back the foliage to about an inch or so above the water line. Removing brown or yellow stems throughout the season will keep your water clear and your iris healthy.
Water iris make great hiding places for frogs and are a staple to a well planted pond. They seem to double in size about every season at a considerable growth rate.
Depending on your situation and size of your pond you may want to plant these in a basket to contain them so they do not spread and take over. If you decide to use a container to plant your iris in, be sure to replant in a larger container every other season or so.
Water Lily
The water lily is the symbolic plant you picture when you hear the word ‘pond’. No pond would be complete without this wonderful addition. The water lily is a tuber, which means it grows sideways as it spreads. These plants require full sun and need to be fertilized with slow release fertilizer regularly if you want them to bloom.
The blooms from the water lily are colorful and fragrant, however they are short lived. Blooms typically only last for 4 days.
Fertilizing should take place once every couple of weeks during the warm summer months and end in early fall. Trim back the dead lily pads in fall, before you put on your pond net.
Water lilies bring shade to the pond, as well as protection from predators. Frogs and damselflies will find a place to rest in the sun when these wonderful plants are abundant in the pond.
Although there are lots of varieties of water lilies available, we recommend getting hearty water lilies. This variety of lilies will survive in cooler climates and through the cold winter months.
Water Hyacinth
This wonderful addition to your pond will provide shade to its inhabitants, and also cover from predators. The water hyacinth is dark green in color with nodules allowing it to float on the surface. The dark roots hang down in the water and soak up nutrients.
When kept under control in your backyard pond, this plant provides oxygen and a food source for goldfish and koi. Having plants like this is a natural algae control. They reduce algae formation by using up the amount of available nutrients, and starving the algae.
Caution
The water hyacinth is considered an invasive aquatic species according to https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/water-hyacinth . An invasive species is defined as a plant or animal not native to a region that if introduced causes ecological harm.
Water Hyacinth has the ability to clone itself allowing it to spread rapidly. It can take over large bodies of water very quickly reducing water flow.
If left uncontrolled the water hyacinth will take over and choke out sunlight killing native aquatic vegetation. The decaying vegetation reduces the oxygen levels in the water killing fish as a result.
Additional Care
This plant does have a weakness. It is susceptible to frost and will die in cooler temperatures.
The minimum temperature for growth is 54f (12c). It will thrive in a temperature range from 77f - 86f (25c - 30c). For our area (zone 5) this plant is considered an annual. Because of our harsh winters, these plants die every year and need to be replenished. If you live in a warmer climate these plants will survive all year round.
Hornwort
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) is an excellent oxygenator. Living below the surface with feathery looking leaves. Typically growing in clumps, it provides protection for newly hatched koi or goldfish.
Hornwort can be found all across North America and Canada according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratophyllum_demersum . It prefers slow moving waters and takes up residence in streams and lakes.
This plant is used in ponds and aquariums alike. This vibrant green free floating plant has no root structure. Because of the lack of roots when planting hornwort, bunch it together and use an anchor to keep it in place.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our top 5 plants to plant your pond. Using these plants gives you a little bit of everything. You will have a well rounded, great looking landscape. Your backyard oasis will be off to a great start. From land to underwater, adding these plants will bring balance to your water garden landscape.
If you are still struggling with your landscape design, it never hurts to call in a professional. Ask if they could draw up a plan for you to execute. With a design drawn out for you it is as simple as plugging in the various plants, shrubs and grasses.
Haven't started your pond project yet? Download our free guide to walk you through step by step. Until next time, enjoy your backyard water garden.
~Jeff
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