Need advice.

This is a pond that my SIL made for my daughter last fall. She is going to be putting some trout in it next week. She might also use it to swim in this summer. It is fed by an underground spring.
Since neither of us have any experience with ponds I'd love some suggestions on what type of water plants would be good to give some protection to the fish from the sun and predators and also be safe to swim in. She is in zone 4.
Her birthday is coming up and I would like to buy her some starter plants but I have no idea what to get.
Any help will be appreciated.

Thats not a pond...its a lake :) LOL

I would think you could put rush around the sides and lilies would do well. Too much cover and you couldnt swim in it.

Wow, what beautiful water color. It looks very inviting for swimming. How about some of the black elephant ears in a pot, buried along the edge. I know they won't survive winters there, and that way you could dig the pot and put it in for the winter. Many of the sun loving EE's would work. Maybe you could even plant some daylilies for color as long a you keep them back far enough that the roots wouldn't get water logged. They wouldn't provide shade for the fish, but would look pretty. You could even plant them on the dam. Looks like a great place to try lots of things. Maybe a big brug placed in the right place would act like a tree and give shade in the heat of the day. LOL! You could have your DH build a small dock out into the water. That would provide some shade for the fish. Just rambling here......but what a great gift to receive. How lucky that she had a spring to feed the pond.

Oh wow! Thats beautiful.. looks like a park.
Im scared to suggest anything, because I dont know what is "invaisive" and what isnt, but I have to say I fell in LOVE with water celery, and it spreads pretty (ok very) quickly. I guess I should look up the hardiness, maybe your zone would keep it in check?
Some hardy water lilies maybe? I too think daylilies would be great along the edge away from the water. Some cat tails (may be a bit invaisive)? Gosh... this will be a great project for her! How exciting. Is your SIL available for rent? LOL

This message was edited Apr 25, 2006 6:31 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've written them down and will see if they will grow up here and if I can find a place to purchase them.
Daylilies are no problem as I can share mine with her to put around the pond. I agree they would look great.
The pond is 12-14 feet deep in the middle and the end closest in the picture is the only shallow part.
Shelly I've been looking up hardy water lilies and I'm definitely going to try to get her some. I think they would do good in the pond.
Can you tell we have no idea what we are doing. LOL

LOL but thats the fun of it! Everyone has to start somewhere. I wonder if a hardy water lily co-op would take off?

cattails are the MOST invasive nuisance plant you can have for an earthen pond........canna with dark leaves re a good substitute if you want height at waters edge

Water Hyacinth are good for shade and they'll die out in Winter so you won't have to worry about them becoming invasive. Water lilies may take over an earthen pond but maybe that's what you're looking for. Parts of the pond may be too deep for the lilies so that might keep them in check.
Lana

If that thing is spring fed, I'll bet the water is COLD!!! What's the average water temp? You may have to consider that when thinking about plants, too, I don't know. We have a spring fed river here (Spring River) and the water is really cold, even in July and August when it's 100 degrees outside. When you jump in it almost takes your breath!
Gail

The rivers and streams are ice cold here in the summer too Gail. I think that the pond should be somewhat warmer though as it's not fast moving and it's in full sun.
Great ideas Jackie and Lana. Cannas would look great along the edge and the Water Hyacith might give enough shade to the fish.
The greenhouses and stores are finally starting to get their plants in up here so hopefully they will have some plants suitable for a pond.

No kidding, that would be gorgeous! I agree with Brugie, that water is such a beautiful color! And water hyacinths multiply rapidly but would not be invasive up there. Imagine this on that blue, blue water....
Gail

And these along the water's edge....

I didn't realize the water hyacinth had such a pretty flower Gail.
And your Cannas are beautiful. I can picture them growing around the pond.
All these ideas are a big help as I know next to nothing about pond plants.

I only got my little water garden last year, so I'm still learning. I've been thinking about digging and potting one of my cannas and putting it in the pond. Cannas don't like to be planted in real wet ground or water when they're dormant, but once it breaks leaves they do (or so I understand). I've got some cannas around my water garden but not in it..... yet! LOL
Gail