We have a couple of large earth ponds (we dug them years ago, the larger one being about 65'x85', 8' deep, with a gumbo/clay bottom). The area around the ponds can be wet in the winters with the same poor soil condition, although that is slowly changing because I planted a good bio grass/clover on it. We are slowly adding plants for animal/fowl habitat, putting in mostly willows (hakura nishiki, blue arctic, rosemary, etc.), some red osier dogwoods, button bush, etc. I'd love some other ideas. We love the hakuras because of the beauty they have all year round. I even prefer them to our "flame" willows. Any other ideas?
Habitat plants for wetland surrounding ponds
These marsh marigold are very adaptable to moist soil conditions.
They can be grown between rock, in pots and in moist soil.
What is their habit? What do you personally enjoy for water plants that (a) do a job with the algae, but (b) aren't too invasive? For me, it will take a considerable amount of plants to do that job. We recirculate the main pond through a waterfall probably 100' or so from the pond itself. It goes over several falls before hitting a channel that goes back out to the pond.
I should add that there is essentially NO shade on the pond at any point. When we bought our 5 acres, there was only 1 old moss-covered tree (volunteer) on the property. We've added more material across 8 years than I want to think about! LOL But as of yet, we don't have shade in any area of the pond. We've got some curley willows growing at places, and a couple of bald cypresses, but that's about it. The point? We don't have places for plants near the pond that need shade to survive.
Billr. Here is a picture taken of my pond on 4/10. As you can see
they are situated around the edges of the pond. It is early in the season here and things are just starting to grow.. My pond is in full sun (when we have sun) and a large assortment of plants & koi really help with algae control. The more the merrier.
Your pond is a lot bigger than mine..but just keep adding water loving plants little by little and as they multiply spread them around.
Before you know it it will be the way you like it.
Bea:
What are the grasses you have living in the water? One of the things we want to do is plant things on the bank all the way around that will discourage junk grass/plants from growing up through them. Tough, thick grasses like the ones you have here would do that. I'm a sucker for grasses. In fact I have several books showing gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, a designer who loves huge swaths of plants, particularly grasses. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of budget (or crew!), but do I ever wish I could do that in our meadow.
I have a few varities of rush. Golden Sword,Gold Strike,Soft rush,Blue spreading rush and cork screw. I have mini cattails and regular ones that I have in a pot to keep contained. I also have some dwarf horsetail containerized.
Here is a link to Hughes water gardens in Tualitin OR that sells these grasses. Their site may give you some better ideas for your pond.
http://www.thewatergardenshop.com/marginal.html
We've visited Hughes before, but found their prices to be awfully high compared to others. They do have some nice stuff, for certain. Maybe it's that area they're located in. LOL Have you ever visited the little grass nursery in West Salem? http://winddancergarden.com/ They have some nice stuff as well as the unusual (not as unusual as Dancing Oaks!). Then again, they may not have much for truly wet areas.