Plants For Gardens With Ponds

The plants in or around a pond are as important as the pond itself, and choosing and maintaining these plants can be a fascinating hobby.

Remember that the region outside the artificial pond is usually as dry as the rest of the garden, but certain waterthirsty plants are sometimes more effective than those that would be at home in the desert. The umbrella plant is one such subject. It makes a good background plant, or it may be set directly into the water in or out of pots.

Another fine background plant so popular near ponds is the pampas grass. Although quite drought resistant, the waving plumes make effective shadow effects in the water. Water level in ponds should be kept as high as possible to make all shadows more marked. The leaves are sharp on the pampas grass, so instruct children not to play with them. Other grasses such as bamboo, fountain grass and New Zealand flax may be used, especially if the pond is large and irregular.

The giant leaves of the caladlum, or elephant's ear, are highly decorative planted near the edge of the pond. Use cannas in conjunction with them if you like. Both need lots of water.

Plants with branches that are graceful are always welcome subjects near ponds. If space permits, the lovely weeping willow is good, or the white birch. Flowering quince is graceful in shape and makes attractive shadows. The semi-weeping Scarlet Bottle Bush is a great favorite, for the pendulous branches move with an airy featherlness in the breeze. The cascading scarlet flowers add tremendously to its beauty.

Any preferred small flowering tree may be vised, such as Japanese cherry, Chinese crabapple and tree-shaped oleander.

Of course there should be low growing plants, too. Ponds need the protection from wind that higher shrubs or trees can give, but they also need sunshine, especially if water lilies are to be used. So use some water-edging plants. Daylilies are good for large pools. Martha Washington geraniums, petunias, bulbs of all kinds, primroses, coral bells, dwarf shrubs of many kinds are acceptable.

Water plants scattered over the surface of the pond are beautiful. There are tropical and hardy water lilies of many colors; lovely water hyacinth, water poppies, water lettuce, water snowflake, lotus and a few others.

Do not forget the value of potted plants, especially if the pond is surrounded with much brick or flagstone. Potted Meyer lemons, geraniums, petunias, bulbs, ferns, marguerites, oleander, and most any small plant that can grow in a pot will be decorative.

If your pond has water falling over stones, use moss or other small water-loving plants.