Properly selectedplants on the edge of the pondshould match the nature of the garden pond and tolerate the environmental conditions on the shore. Fortunately, when decidingwhat to plant the pond , we can choose from a number of interesting plant species. Seewhat plants to plant around the pondto make this place full of charm and an attractive accent to your garden!
Which plants to plant around the pond
Fig. © Rafał Okułowicz
When selecting plants for the edge of a pond , we must take into account their habitat requirements, first of all, soil and air humidity as well as growth force. Around the artificial water reservoir , built of water-impermeable materials (and such ponds are most often created in gardens), there are no conditions for growing marsh plants that grow near the shores of natural lakes or ponds. Therefore, perennials with average requirements are planted, preferring fertile and moderately moist soil,only suggesting the water environment
Which perennials to plant around the pond?
When choosing plants for the edge of the pond , we should take into account the high air humidity that prevails over the water reservoir. There aregood conditions for the development of such perennials as:
- heart-shaped bergenia - perennial with large round, leathery leaves that turn red in autumn. It blooms at the turn of April and May in the form of lilac umbrella-like inflorescences,
- brunnera large-leaved- perennial with large heart-shaped leaves, reaching 40 cm in height and very small blue flowers appearing in April-May).The pond is worth planting with interesting varieties of large-leaved brunnery with white leaves, e.g. 'Variegata' or 'Dawson's White',
- fukna, hostas are great perennials for damp and shady places with large, decorative leaves. Depending on the variety, they differ in the strength of growth, shape, size and color of the leaves,
Funkie on the shore of a pond
Fig. © Rafał Okułowicz
- orange tonguewith round, heart-shaped leaves underneath brownish-purple. It grows up to 120 cm in height. The orange inflorescences of this plant appear in August,
- rusty daylilywith long, smooth leaves and stately orange flowers,
- chestnut rodgersia with characteristic leaves similar to a chestnut tree and small white flowers,
- Japanese anemone that blooms from August until the first autumn frosts. Thanks to this, it is a great autumn decoration of a water reservoir. It can grow in sunny and slightly shaded places.
What to plant next to the pond
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When planting a pond, it is also worth choosingdiscus, a perennial flowering before the leaves develop, pink, and a red earthquake - grass forming dense clumps of striped yellowish white-green leaves, growing up to 60 cm.An undemanding plant for the edge of the pond is also Anderson's tripleblooming purple from June to September. In order for it to branch out nicely, the threefold should be trimmed after flowering is over.
The list of perennials recommended for the edge of the pondis presented in the table. Below the table you will find a link to download the printable version of this table: -)
Download a printable list of plants by the pond:
- What to plant around the pond (PDF)
Which shrubs are worth planting around the pond?
The perennials presented above should be supplemented with moisture-loving shrubs and small trees.Shrubs grafted on a trunk with hanging branches , such as the weeping willow 'Iwa' or hornbeam 'Pendula', are perfect at the edge of the pond. The palm maple 'Atropurpureum' with intensely red leaves that will sparkle reflected in the water surface will also be a great choice.
Plants on the shores of the pond
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A very interesting proposition for a pond with conifers is the moisture-loving marsh cypressin low-growing varieties, such ascolumnar variety 'Peve Minaret', or with a weeping habit, the lovely variety 'Cascade Falls'. It can be plantedright next to the shore, even in places partially flooded by water , i.e. in a mud zone. Growing in such conditions, it produces characteristic, very decorative respiratory roots (so-called pneumatophores) used for breathing in the underwater part. It looks very interesting, but this plant also has a drawback - it loses needles in the winter, which are quite difficult to remove from the water surface.
If the pond is to be green all year round , it is worth choosing traditional, evergreen conifers in low-growing varieties - creeping junipers, yews and spruces.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
