What plants are better to plant around a pond in the country and how to properly care for them
Planting plants around a pond in the country has a number of features. To achieve good results in tank design, it is necessary to consider key design principles. There are different types of plants - oxygenators, deep water, floating. They all perform specific functions. It is also worth taking care of the design of the coastal zone.
General design principles
Artificial ponds can be of different design styles. They should be chosen based on the design of the site. The ponds are round or oval. They also make rectangular or square ponds. Plants are used to decorate such ponds, which help to create a harmonious composition. On the banks, crops are generally planted which contrast with the strict forms of the reservoir and emphasize their geometry.
An excellent solution would be ponds, which are decorated in a natural landscape style. In such reservoirs, the vegetation should look as natural as possible.It is generally used to simulate natural shorelines. They should have smooth lines and irregular shapes. For this, rocky shores are often developed and alternated with grassy or sandy areas.
When choosing plants, the water condition should be taken into account. Many cultures are not just beautiful on the surface. Bushes looking through the clear water help to create a beautiful decorative composition. If the reservoir is small, you should not plant large bushes on the banks. They visually reduce the pond. It is worth planting small bushes and grasses near a small building.
Classification of pond plants
There are many types of plants that can be used to decorate artificial reservoirs.
Oxygenators
Such cultures should be found in every body of water. They prevent pond pollution, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. If fish live in the pond, these plants will serve as food and spawning grounds.
Oxygenators are underwater and appear partially on the surface. They are put in baskets and placed at the bottom. It is recommended to do this in early May. Some crops are considered quite temperamental and may not take root right away. Therefore, several varieties of crops are planted in the reservoir.
Rdest
This plant has a long stem. It is characterized by lanceolate leaves underwater and oval leaves on the surface. The culture is distinguished by its powerful branching roots. It has long stalks that look like candles.
Waterweed
The development of this culture is difficult to control. It is characterized by rapid reproduction. The plant consists of long stems with elongated marsh-green leaves and small white or pink flowers.The culture perfectly cleans the tank.
water buttercup
Flowering begins in early summer. It is characterized by small white flowers. Emerging leaves are fan-shaped, submerged leaves are divided into segments. The culture is characterized by filamentous roots, loosely fixed in muddy soil.
Conferve
This culture is characterized by slow development. In addition, it is distinguished by pronounced cleansing properties. Water moss can thrive in sun or partial shade. This culture should be planted in a fish pond. They lay eggs on its stems.
Tillea
It is an Australian plant that is considered aggressive. It quickly covers the bottom of the pond with small leaves. This oxygenator must first be placed in the basin and then removed.
Floating
These crops help protect the water from overheating. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid its flowering. Such plants are not fixed in the ground. They are free in the tank and therefore do not need containers for planting.
At the same time, floating cultures are characterized by rapid growth. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce their number.
duckweed
For duckweed, three-lobed leaves are characteristic, which cover most of the reservoirs. Cultivation is considered sustainable and is distinguished by a method of vegetative propagation. Duckweed can hibernate at the bottom of the tank.
Azola
It is a microscopic tropical fern that looks like open moss. The plant is able to thrive in shade or sun. However, it hardly supports low temperatures. Therefore, in winter, the culture should be kept indoors.
Pemphigus
It is an original plant that is considered a predator. The culture feeds on small insects. Thanks to its use, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of dead insects in the tank.
Pistia
It is a rather capricious plant that can die in winter and even in rather cool summer. Under natural conditions, pistia grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Its advantages include excellent decorative characteristics and attractiveness to fish.
Vodokras
Vodokras is growing rapidly. The culture is characterized by beautiful white flowers and rounded green leaves. Therefore, it serves as a real decoration of the tank. The plant is unpretentious and able to withstand frost.
deep sea
There are also deep-sea cultures. Their flowers are on the surface of the reservoir.
Lotus
Such a culture is suitable for decorating a site in an oriental style. The culture is distinguished by beautiful flowers up to 30 centimeters in diameter. The lotus is characterized by submerged and emergent leaves.
orontium
This is a rare plant that is practically not grown on the territory of Russia. In addition, it is characterized by excellent decorative properties. The culture has yellow ear-shaped inflorescences and decorative leaves.
Nenuphar
This is a popular plant that is considered the high seas. It is characterized by large flowers up to 15 centimeters in diameter. The planting of a water lily is done at a depth of 1 meter.
egg capsule
It is a humble plant that can be used for landscaping large bodies of water. The culture tolerates winter well and can reproduce on its own.
Calamus Swamp
This plant is considered very unpretentious. It is often used to decorate water bodies. Thanks to the calamus, it is possible to add vertical lines to the composition.
air shaped iris
This culture looks impressive. During flowering, it decorates the pond with bright accents. In height, the bushes can reach 90 centimeters. Each rhizome produces 12 to 15 yellow flowers.
calla
It is an exotic plant that has a thick and fleshy rhizome. Culture is decorated with dark green foliage with a glossy surface. Inflorescences appear in May-June. They are characterized by a white bedspread. At the end of summer, the pond is decorated with bright red berries.
Rogoz
It is an ornamental perennial that is used to create attractive thickets. Culture is often used for large bodies of water. In June and August, the bushes are decorated with dense inflorescences in the form of spikes. They are dark brown in color.
bangle
This large plant is suitable for large bodies of water. For small ponds, the culture is planted in small groups in containers. This helps regulate its growth. The long stems can reach 1 to 2 meters.
common reed
The culture belongs to the Myatlikov family. It is allowed to use it to decorate large reservoirs in landscape style. Throughout its development, the culture retains its decorative properties.
Susak Umbrella
This culture looks graceful. It helps to emphasize the laconic style of the reservoir with its xiphoid leaves. The plant is characterized by pink-white inflorescences that form umbrellas. Susak blooms in June or July.
Arrowhead
It is one of the most beautiful plants for water bodies. It is characterized by decorative leaves and white flowers with purple or pink accents. Flowering is observed in July and August.
Chastuha plantain
It is a wonderful decorative culture. It is characterized by spreading leaves that form rosettes. Stems with flowers reach 60-80 centimeters. The flowers are small and white or pink in color.
Planting methods
There are 2 main methods for planting aquatic crops in a pond. They have certain advantages and disadvantages.
In containers
It is recommended to use containers for planting plants in small bodies of water. They are planted with crops that overwinter outside the pond or have fast-growing roots. It is recommended to choose the right container for these crops. It is also allowed to use ordinary pots. It is best to choose lattice containers with large openings.
To avoid washing the floor, put a piece of burlap on the bottom. It is recommended to place pebbles on top. Then fill the basket with soil for aquatic cultures. Loamy soils, peat and sand are also suitable. These components are taken in a ratio of 7: 1: 2. To plant a culture in a prepared container, carefully remove it from the container. After transplanting the bush, it is recommended to water it and cover it with soil. It is not worth tamping the soil.
How to plant directly in the ground
It is allowed to plant plants in the ground in natural reservoirs. This method is suitable for deep ponds. To do this, it is worth placing a layer of soil 20-30 centimeters thick at the bottom. Aquatic plants do not need very fertile land. It is allowed to buy it in a specialized store or to do it yourself. In the second case, silt, fine sand and peat are mixed in a ratio of 7:2:1.
It is recommended to plant crops in the pond immediately after purchase. They should be planted on cloudy days. This will help plants root better.
If you do not want to fill the entire tank with the substrate, it is allowed to plant the crops in the film pockets. These are artificial planting pits filled with substrate. Thanks to the use of this technique, it is possible to independently adjust the size of the island with the floor. In addition, these pits make it possible to limit the development of aggressive crops. Artificial planting footprints should also be covered with gravel.
How to decorate the coastal zone
It is allowed to plant crops not only in the pond itself, but also near it. This helps to achieve a smooth transition from the boundary of the coastal zone to the rest of the site. It is allowed to plant bushes, grasses, flowers around the pond. Deciduous and coniferous crops are also suitable. Trees are planted away from the pond, then bushes are placed, and flowers and herbs are placed directly near the water. This helps prevent clogging of the pond and reduces the need for cleaning.
Deciduous trees
These plants should have a refined shape. It is advisable to choose varieties that are characterized by openwork foliage. It is important that the plants are small. This will help avoid shading the surface of the tank.
Walker
Provided that the grafting is carried out correctly, this plant is short in stature. The culture is distinguished by straight shoots. In this case, the branches hang down under the weight of the foliage. In addition, the tree tolerates frost well.
shaggy plum
This little plant grows slowly. It is characterized by an umbrella-shaped crown. In this case, the branches hang down. The crown reaches 3-4 meters in diameter. During flowering, pink flowers appear on the tree.
purple willow
This culture is grafted onto the stem. The plant looks more like a small shrub.It is characterized by arched branches. However, in reality, the culture is a compact tree.
Karlie Locks
This plant is also grafted onto a stem. It is a small tree with twisted shoots that hang down to the ground.
camper down
It is a compact tree with a spreading, umbrella-shaped crown. Branches and leaves hang down. If you do not cut the crown, it grows up to 10 meters.
Conifers
Such plants are often used to be placed near a reservoir. In addition, they must have weeping branches. Thanks to this, crops will look harmonious near the water.
European larch
For placement near the pond, varieties Puli, Repens, Roots are suitable. All are grafted onto the stem. These trees are characterized by a spherical crown and soft needles that crumble to the ground.
common spruce
It is a weeping culture characterized by drooping branches. The plant is characterized by slow development. However, this depends on the method of tying the plant.
eastern hemlock
Tree height is influenced by grafting. The culture is characterized by creeping branches and soft needles, which are pleasant to the touch.
Shrubs
Shrubs should be placed in front of trees. They harmoniously complement the landscape of the site.
dwarf birch
It is a small shrub with a height of 0.5 to 1 meter. It reaches 1 meter wide. The plant is characterized by a dense nest-like crown.
black elderberry
This bush is capable of reaching 3 meters. It is characterized by attractive carved leaves. They are distinguished by their original purple color. During the flowering period, the culture becomes covered with small pink inflorescences. The plant is considered unpretentious. Trimming is allowed.
Hydrangea
These flowers adorn the coastal area. You can choose from different varieties - Limelight, Grandiflora, Magical Fire. They are distinguished by undemanding care and a variety of shades.
Herbs
The coastal zone can be decorated with herbs. There are many beautiful crops that are ideal for planting near bodies of water.
Hosta
It is an attractive and sophisticated plant that is located near the shore. The culture is characterized by a short flowering period. During this time, decorative flowers appear on it. The plant can be propagated vegetatively. It can be damaged by slugs or ducks.
daylily
Culture is characterized by beautiful flowers of various colors - red, blue. These plants need ample exposure to the sun. Therefore, they should not be planted in a shady place.
Lobelia
The crop is planted in water. It should be done near the coast. Blue inflorescences are considered a distinctive feature of the plant.
Ostrich
This type of fern is often used to decorate a pond. In appearance, the culture resembles large bird feathers. It propagates by division.
Voljanka
She decorates the coast with creamy inflorescences. Volzhanka is able to reach 2 meters in height. It is often used to create shadows.
Features of winter care
In winter, the decorative pond freezes. Some varieties tolerate frost well, while others need to be moved to a warm place. In order for the plants to survive the winter normally, the following conditions should be observed:
- Bushes that have been planted in baskets or other containers should be moved to a warm place. A cellar or other room that does not freeze is perfect. It is important to provide crops with moisture.To do this, they are placed in a container with water.
- Cultures floating in the pond should be placed in a volumetric container with water. An aquarium is a good option. In this form, the bushes will easily survive any weather.
Application of artificial flowers
In order for the pond to quickly acquire an attractive appearance, it is allowed to use artificial flowers. If the pace of life does not allow to fully deal with cultures, such a decor will be a real salvation.
The advantages of such plants are:
- low price;
- no need for care;
- ease of attachment;
- preservation of decorative properties.
Examples of design diagrams
There are different zones in the reservoir and on the banks - marshy, coastal, shallow water, deep water. To achieve good results in creating a pond, plants are selected taking into account the zones. It is allowed to use cultivated or wild varieties. In ponds dug into the ground, the shore will be wet. In such places, moisture-loving vegetation grows well. It includes willow, molinia, loosestrife. It is also allowed to plant a fern, boxwood.
Field crops create shade on the surface of the water. This helps prevent overheating. They are certainly planted near bodies of water in which frogs, fish and turtles live.
If the bottom of the basin is covered with a film which prevents the infiltration of humidity, the banks remain dry. Flowers and shrubs that like moderately moist soil are allowed in these areas. This category includes goldenrod, alder, oregano. The marshy area starts from the edge of the water and goes down to a depth of 0.1 meter. Reeds and loosestrife are planted there. The depth of shallow water is 0.1-0.4 meters.In this place there is vegetation, the root system of which must be constantly under water. This category includes susak, calamus.
The deep water zone is more than 40 centimeters deep. Here it is allowed to plant the following crop categories:
- Deep-water vegetation whose roots are located in the soil of the reservoir. The most attractive varieties include vodokras, egg capsules, water lilies. It is also allowed to plant an aquatic hawthorn.
- Vegetation that does not attach to the bottom and lives in the structure of the water and on the surface. This category includes azole, globular wulfium.
- Oxygenators. They contribute to the saturation of the oxygen tank. They absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen. This category includes pond, hornwort, waterweed.
It is allowed to plant various crops around the artificial reservoirs. Today many plants are known that are used for different areas of the pond. All perform specific functions and require specific care. Thanks to strict adherence to the recommendations of experienced gardeners, it will be possible to achieve excellent results.