I have a pond that is mostly in the shade. I have pond lillies in that don't bloom however, the fish like the pads.
Does anyone else have their small pond in the shade?
Any ideas what I can put in it or around it?>
Amos
Shaded pond
The turbulence from the fountain will probably keep the waterlily subdued and non flowering, producing only submerged foliage.
The plants you have there will choke the pond in one season and the roots merge into one mass, the umbrella palm and the variegated cattail? are rather strong growing plants
If it turns out the pond becomes choked and you would rather try smaller more sedate growing varieties of aquatic plant you might look at Acorus Gramineus Variegatus (Japanese Rush) Orontium aquaticum (Golden Club) Typha minima (Dwarf cattail) Caltha palustris (Marsh marigold) Aponogeton distachyus (Water Hawthorn) Nymphoides peltata (floating heart, water fringe) As smaller proportioned plants which are fairly easy to control
Introducing dinky little floating plants azolla or salvinia minima would be picturesque, where a pond is easy to sweep out the surplus plants
Around the outside of the pond, low growing alpines might be way to go, plants that can take some drought in the Summer, like well drained soil, make good ground cover, easy to weed
Regards, andy
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/adavisus/
Andy,
Thanks for your help will look into your suggestions and advice.
It sure sounds like you know your ponds.
Amos
If you keep your plants potted andkeep your eye on them they should be fine.
For such a small pond I would occassionally pull the plants out and trim the roots and vegetation.
About 1/3 of the surface should ideally be covered with vegetation (azolla,etc.) too keep algae down and shade the fish.
Having it in shade will help keep algae and the temperature down as well.
Submerged plants help with oxygen and to clean the ater of ammonia and other nasties, but I see you have a fountain so you should be good for oxygen.
I would probably add some native bladderwort and some ludwigia repens in the pond. The fish will help eat that down. It is easy to remove and toss on your yard plants for fertz when it grows too much.
As far as t he lily blooming, Ive only ever had one bloom and that was last year. It is in full sun planted diretcly in my pond (no pot) and I fed the bad boy some Jobes Plant Sticks. There's some mulm (dead leaves/sedentation in the bottom of the pond for the plants/fish to feed on)
Around a small pond you can't go wrong with sedum! They are small and look really nice spilling between rocks. I also tuck native ferns in between my rocks. Don't forget mosses!
Maybe try widening the border around the pond.
Well, I was bored so I drew up a quick thing in PS. LOL
I put hostas around my pond and tried one or two floating(they didn't do too well) but the surrounding hostas did great. Also pacaysandra (sp?) which stayed green all year.
Crismson,
You are to cute:0
How nice a picture to boot man now that is so great.
Well I do have pond lilies two as a matter of fact, I am quite sure they will new bloom however, the fish like the pads so it is more for them.
I have three dogs that think it is their personal watering hole. so I really don't have much around it. I did see some stepping plant's that look like small grasses. Thought that might be an idea?
I was also thinking I could use some of the moss that is out in my 12 acre woods?
I would love to do ferns or sedum but the hundred pound plus shepherd would smuch it.
Mare I do have some hosta on the sides and they are holding up pretty good.
Thank you all for your help
Amos
Oh no, munching dogs!
My mums new dog ate all her water hyacinths lol.
Maybe it is time for some cactus plantings around the pond? LOL