Ideas on what to plant in these areas near my pond?
ren.b
Posts: 161
I've just had some very messy and overgrown reeds dug out near my pond, they had increased so much they were taking over the areas and if we tried to cut them back it seemed to compromise the rest of the plant.
I have grown hosta by the pond very successfully but they die down in winter, I was hoping to plant something that will show all year round but it is very wet being right next to the stream/pond. There is some sunlight/partial shade.
The first two photo's show the reeds before removal.
Photo's 1 + 3 are the same area but from different angles.
Photo's 2 + 4 are the same area.
The text was directed at my sister so ignore the bit about the cat ... not sure why the photo's are so big either, sorry.
Is it 'marginal' plants I need to be looking up? What is that green stuff in the water?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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That stuff you're taking out can be very invasive, so keep an eye out for any bits that have hung around!
Marginals are plants which are happiest in the shallowest areas of the pond - the pond edges. They can also be sited in the damp ground alongside, depending on the plant. There aren't many which are evergreen, so you'd be better looking at some standard ground cover for the edges, along with a few evergreen shrubs - ones which will give cover for wildlife, not get too big that they'll affect light, and perhaps ones with early colour.
If the ground's suitable, some of the Japanese azaleas would fit the last criteria. As long as the soil isn't too alkaline, most of those will be good. Again, check the sizes as some do get big, and not all are evergreen.
Many of the Carexes are good too - pick some of the smaller, variegated ones like Evergold, for the best effect. Anything that will cope with damper conditions is suitable, and early bulbs are good for that too - snowdrops and snakeshead fritillaries for example.
As for marginals which are longer lasting for foliage, Acorus is good, and even just the marsh marigolds - Caltha. They can be evergreen in mild winters. Have a look on some of the pond plant suppliers' websites - Puddle Plants and Devon Pond Plants are both good, as is Waterside Nursery.
Just looking out my window at my pond - native primulas and Hellebores are also good for permanent planting if conditions are reasonably damp. Primulas in general are very useful.
You even have room for Rheum...these grow quite large but can be effective even so.
Most bog or marginals will die back over winter but a dogwood would give a nice show - the thing is during the warmer months they're essentially just a large leaved green shrub. I still have a few in my "wet" garden though.
We had some of the red Berberis at the last house which was really effective - especially if it's allowed to have full rein and grow properly. No problem with any wildlife eating it either - repels everything.
Well spotted!! I nearly killed myself trying to tidy that damn Iris, it was planted in a little basket when the pond was built, it has spread back onto the ground and into the pond itself. I might divide it and just leave a small piece. I've just dug up about eight siberian iris from my border and moved to clumps to the stream but not sure if they will like the shade. Not my favourite plants when they start drooping over ... got lots to think about now with all the info from everyone ... just got a message from a local nieghbourhood site, someone has got lots of pieces of York stone (for free) .... hoping to get some for those gaps ... I bet that big piece has dropped into the bloody pond.
I have realised that lol .... it's spreading out like crazy ... the pond guys planted one tiny one and it's gone mad!