Pond plants & Aquatic Planting

Berkshire Garden Ponds can supply, position and plant the full range of aquatic vegetation for your garden fish pond, koi carp pond or stream and waterfall. We can advise you which plants best suit the surrounds of your pond together with advising which plants should be used to effectively compliment your pond design. We incorporate the correct planting for your pond with your preferences in mind when we design any size of garden fish pond. If you would like us to arrange for a new planting project whilst having your existing pond cleaned for the spring or summer season just ask us.

We would rather you fill your pond with plants appropriate to the size and format of your pond than for you to waste money and ultimately your time maintaining plants that are incorrectly positioned, that are taking over your pond, or not doing the job for which they were purchased.

Marginals and Deep Water Aquatics

Marginals cover a vast variety of plants. Marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) are popular, as are water forget-me-nots. Pickerel weed (potederia) is worth growing. Whole books are devoted to pond plants and Berkshire Garden Ponds can help you avoid you buying unsuitable plants for your size of pond.

Marginals usually reside in either the shallow part of the pond or on a marginal shelf. Many are just as happy in the damp, boggy surrounds of the pond. They do not play a role in conserving the natural 'balance' of the pond but are ornamental and provide some protection for your frogs and other pond creatures from the visiting herons and other predators.

Marsh Marigold - Alba

Pickerel Weed

Marginals are generally planted in special baskets using aquatic compost (low in nutrients to minimize undesirable algae growth).

Water Hawthorn

Golden Club

Deep Water Aquatics need to be planted a foot or more deep. Their leaves help to keep your pond life cool, provide shelter and assist in keeping the water clear by limiting the sun's rays. Water hawthorn (aponogeton) is fragrant, long flowering and will tolerate moving water and some shade.

Golden club (orontium) needs to be planted in a deep tub. Has distinctive yellow and white flower heads.

We aim to also grow plants round the outside of your pond to enhance its appearance. These will also provide a safe refuge for froglets from predators such as blackbirds and herons.

Oxygenators and Floaters

Pond plants are essential to achieve a correct water balance and provide surface cover in your garden pond. Without them your water will probably resemble pea soup, as algae will grow prolifically. Plant foliage absorbs carbon dioxide and minerals from the water which 'starves' the algae. About half of the water surface should be covered with foliage to achieve this balance.

Pond plants fall into four basic groups. Each is important to the health of your pond. The groups are oxygenators, floaters, marginals and deep water aquatics.

Oxygenators are very important for keeping the water clear. Their roots and stems are submerged and usually the leaves are submerged as well. They are often bought in bunches. You will need one bunch for each 3 sq. ft. of surface area. Most oxygenators do not flower, but two exceptions are water violet and water buttercup.

Water buttercup

Water milfoil is effective for a small pond. Willow moss is evergreen, slow growing and effective. Hornwort and Canadian Pondweed are also effective, but the latter can be invasive if your pond is large.

Floaters are just that. You simply drop them into the pond. Their roots are submerged and their leaves and stems float either on or just below the surface. They provide surface cover. Many of them sink and overwinter at the bottom of your pond. Floaters include the flowering (but only in a good summer) water hyacinth, frog-bit, water lettuce and water soldier. Fairy moss and duck weed are also floaters, but can be invasive.

Water hyacinth