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Advice on a tree or shrub to Sade a pond

sharron.munrosharron.munro Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi I have a small pond half a wine barrel size for wildlife, Ive planted a few ferns and helibors around it to give the pond some shade as it is in full sun, however I didn’t think about shade for the ferns and helibors so can anyone recommend a small tree or large shrub that would sit in a corner and provide some shade, preferably dappled for these plants thank you

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Small palm tree or would that look out of place?
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    If you let too many leaves fall in autumn they rot and make the water dank which is not good for over-wintering critters and it also encourages algae to grow.  

    Try evergreen plants such as rhododendrons, aucuba, choisya, eleagnus, or one of the better behaved weeping dwarf conifers........ but make sure they are suited to your soil and conditions.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,980
    In addition to Obelixx's suggestions - I have Osmanthus burkwoodii which is very pretty. Small leaved and small, scented white flowers in late winter/early spring. It prefers a bit of shade anyway, so could be a useful choice.  :)
    You will have to be vigilant with flowers and the odd leaf falling in to the water , as Obelixx says, but it shouldn't be too difficult to scoop out anything that falls in as it's a small pond. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    That's why I suggested a palm as the pond is in full sun and I thought the palm leaves would give it dappled shade and give a canopy to the pond. May look a bit out of place however. Evergreen shrubs are quite dense. How about a small acer? That could lean over your ferns and still be light and airy.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Is there not a miniature gunnera? or a rodgersia  may do the trick. They are not evergreen but do keep their leaves until you cut them down. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 621
    I have an acer palmatum (samidare) growing over the pond - I quite like it. I do fish the leaves out of the pond in autumn. This one has a tiered habit arching gracefully over the pond and it gives dappled shade. My main worry is whether it will grow too big in relationship to the pond, but so far it's lovely. Perhaps a dwarf acer would be nice. It's a nice thing to do, mulling over possible choices and browsing books and sites!
  • sharron.munrosharron.munro Posts: 2
    Thank you so much for your ideas, I am busy on goggle images having a look really appreciate it.
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