Turning water “feature” into mini pond.

Jacquimcmahon

I have given up trying to keep my above ground water feature clean and decided to add some water plants. I have already attracted a couple of passing dragonflies and the hoverflies and bees have started using the plants to get a drink. Any ideas how to do more?

AnniD

I was thinking maybe a miniature water lily ?
This nursery has lots of advice 
 https://www.watersidenursery.co.uk/tips-advice/combinations-of-plants-for-my-container-pond/

PS Love the sign, l have the same one. Unfortunately it would appear that weeds can't read 

philippasmith2

Water hawthorn may be worth considering as it flowers from Spring thru summer/autumn in the right location and is a good plant for surface cover too.

Redwing

As it's a small area only choose a water lily that stays small.  Other suggestions: Water forget-me not, water mint, brooklime and you'll need an oxygenator like hornwort.

Jacquimcmahon

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I’ve bookmarked the site AnniD as they have some great ideas on tips, thanks.

TigerFeet

Sisyrinchium californicum    yellow eyed grass and  Carex acuta   slender tufted sedge (  just been checking the labels)  look good if you want height. I find that Brooklime grows too fast for my small pond, the roots get tangled  with other plants so I have to regularly remove some of it. It is popular with bees though.

tui34

That's a nice little wildlife pond there, Jacqui.

Jacquimcmahon

Thanks tui. Tigerfeet the plant I have in the submerged pot is the one you suggest, yellow eyed grass. I think when I bought it what I thought were buds to come were actually seed pods. I have taken some off to try to solicit new flowers.

Fire

It’s good to have that depth. 

Can critters get in and out easily? 

Jacquimcmahon

As I’m on the 1st floor I’m unlikely to get anything “crawling or jumping….” But I have put in floating plants that the bees and ladybirds have used as “life rafts”.