Different plants for different places
Different plants are adapted to grow in different locations in and around the pond. It is best to choose the right one for the location you have in mind so that they are successful.
Deep water aquatics
These can be bought as container-grown or bare-rooted plants. Container-grown plants may need potting into larger containers. Bare-rooted plants should have old roots and large leaves removed before planting. Newly planted containers may need to be raised on bricks so the plants are not too deep and any leaves that float on the surface are not submerged. They are then lowered in stages as their leaves reach the surface, until the appropriate depth is reached.
Floating plants
Introduce floating aquatics to the pool by placing them gently on the water’s surface. Clumps may need separating first. One plant per square metre of surface area should be sufficient. Avoid invasive floating plants, see our advice aquatic weeds for further information.
Marginals
Marginals are grown on the inside edge of the pond, or in a bog garden. If bought in plastic pots or small baskets, replant into aquatic baskets. When planting bare-rooted plants in summer, trim back the tops by half and trim the roots back to within 2.5cm (1in) of the crown.
Submerged aquatics
Oxygenating plants can be purchased in bunches and are planted into baskets. They will need anchoring firmly in place. Approximately four to five bunches, each containing three to four stems, per square metre of water surface should be sufficient. As these plants respire at night, too many can lead to a lack of oxygen at night during the summer causing fish to die. Avoid invasive species such as Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot’s feather).