I was wondering if anyone has ever gone to a local "wild" pond and dug up the plants growing there. I was curious about the water lilies you see at the wild ponds. Can I use them in my backyard pond?
There are usually strict rules and regulations about taking plants from the wild so maybe it would be better to buy plants from a reputable water garden centre. These days many offer wild plants for ponds as well as cultivated ones and they have more chance of being pest and disease resistant.
I would be afraid of pest and diseases, that would be very hard to get rid of. Like eileen says, your best bet would be to buy some.
If it was me trying to collect wild water plants I would no doubt half drown myself in the process as well as get arrested for taking wild plants i think the best option is to go to a water garden specialist we have one not too far from us
I was a little afraid I would hear this. This is my first pond which we started in building in July and just started up. Its rather large (15' x 17') and looks like a swimming pool without any plants in it. I see all the plants in the wild ponds and thought I would grab a few - for free! Should I just wait until next year? I live in Massachusetts and our growing season is ending. I would like to have something in the pond so it doesn't looks so naked! And what about goldfish. Is it to late? Any suggestions for this first timer?
If you are thinking of putting fish into your pond then you have to remember that you'll need to lay out quite a bit of money to keep them in the correct conditions. The pond will become high maintainance instead of something pretty to look at. I would suggest a wildlife pond instead. Frogs, toads, newts and a variety of insect life will move in of their own accord and can be far more interesting to watch than fish. As for adding plants at this time of year then your local water garden supplier will be able to give you all the advice you need. They will also give you as much information as you require if you do want to have a fish pond in your garden.
What kind of pond did you put in? Is it lined and filtered? Did you intend to have a wildlife pond or one that's clear and clean?
There is a skimmer filter and a waterfall filter with biological media in it. We have added "good" bacteria to the water. Right now the water is crystal clear since it has been rather cool and the pond gets approx 4 hours of direct sunlight...and its only been 5 days since we filled it! I guess I thought a wildlife pond could have goldfish in it.
Ok..you're set up for a clear and clean pond. I invision a wildlife pond as one that's not filtered..just like a pond out in the 'wild'. I suggest going to nurserys and looking for plants now otherwise your first plants will soon be algae. Dont think you have to go the 'pond' section because there's other plants that do great in water too. Like yours, my small pond doesnt get full sun either and the loosestrife that I have in there is gorgeous. Look for lobelias also. Any plants that you can get in there now makes it harder for algae to compete for the nutrients in the water. You'll probably still be able to find a waterlily or two still available also. Getting a head start on the plants this fall will help your water to stay clear until the temps drop, especially if your pond will recieve more sunlight once trees start loosing leaves. You can have fish but I'd wait until next spring to get them. Plant the pond up first. I'm no expert but I hope this helps.
I actually did get some marginal plants at a great watergarden center - I couldn't resist! Some floating lettuce, corkscrew rush, cat-nine-tails, mare's tail and a tall grass thing (I can't remember!) They look great but they are only in 5 inch pots. There is alot of bare area and nothing in the pond itself.
Mondo: Is there any way you can get picts so we can see your pond? I have a outside natural setting pond. I have fish and have found that they even reproduced this last year. Frogs have come. And a nice water spray that sets in the middle. Myself, I like the 'natural' of it.
The only pictures I have right now is the construction of the pond and they are on a Kodak Sharing Gallery. I tried to post the site here but it didn't look right. I can certainly send them to your email address.
Loosestrife would be a marginal to bog. I've got my pot elevated on bricks to where the top of the pot would only recieve water when I top the pond off. The only pot I have submerged 'sunk to the very bottom' is a pot of lilies. My pond is little. You can put marginals in the middle of your pond. Depending on how deep it is..just elevate the pot on something. Some people even use cinder blocks to this. It sounds like you're well on your way to getting it planted . Consider repotting the hardys into bigger pots now so the roots can go crazy before winter. You might have noticed that aquatic pots can be pricey. This year I started putting plants in my old hanging basket pots that I had. They work just as good if not better..because they dont blow over on a real windy day. Have fun with your water gardening..I just love messing with my puddle.
Thanks Joanne. I didn't think to put marginal plants in the middle on concrete blocks. Actually, it quite deep (3 1/2 ft). I said it looked like a swimming pool!!!
