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Plants create not only comfort and mood, but also perform useful functions: they bear fruit, protect from heat, fertilize the soil, etc. The choice and amount of greenery entirely depends on the desire of the owner of the cottage and the characteristics of the area. Today we will tell you how to choose plants for a pond in the country.
Why do we need plants by the pond
Artificial reservoirs, decorated in any style, make landscape design much brighter and richer. There is no need to talk about the possibilities of enjoying a quiet holiday on the shore, but not everyone knows that reservoirs can perform not only a decorative, but also a practical function. The proximity of water contributes to the normalization of air humidity, and even on the hottest day, plants and flowers near it look fresh and attractive.
The most common option for designing ponds is a natural area as close as possible to the natural environment. For this, not only various types of stone, sand, beautiful snags are used, but also plants. In different zones of the reservoir, all kinds of flowers, shrubs and trees are planted, which will harmoniously combine with each other in one microsystem. They give the pond a complete look and retain the shape of the coastal zone. Such a green area requires constant maintenance, and it may take several years for your dream oasis to look like you previously envisioned.
Video “What to plant on the bank of the pond”
In this video, an expert will tell you what plants can be planted on the banks of an ornamental pond.
Varieties
The size and position of the pond dictate their conditions, so you need to correctly calculate which plants will harmoniously look around the pond, and which directly in it. However, they should not be in conflict with each other.
Coastal
Large bodies of water provide many more opportunities for planting plants of various types and sizes. Ornamental trees, conifers and shrubs can be planted on the wide banks. Japanese-style dwarf trees look great – tree-like caragana and Pendula shaggy plum, graceful branches of which hang down. Small willows – purple and goat – will harmoniously fit into the minimalist design style. And the rough, handsome Camperdown elm will create the necessary shade and protect from rain. These trees are fairly hardy and lend themselves well to pruning.
From conifers near the pond, low varieties of larch (Kornik, Puli) are usually grown with a spherical crown and shoots hanging down. An ordinary weeping spruce will also look good if the place is sunny and open. You can also plant shrubs that have a high degree of moisture resistance: dwarf birch, elderberry, hydrangea.
Near small reservoirs, the best option would be a large-leaved hosta with various shapes of leaves and colors, sedge and lightning. If there is a decorative bridge on the pond, then at its base the loosestrife, male shield, fern will look especially advantageous. Right off the coast in shallow water, you can plant calamus, calla and irises.
Floating
The area near the pond should not be completely filled, otherwise a small number of floating and deep-sea plants will look superfluous, and the pond itself will be too cluttered. Flowers should not occupy the entire body of water; individual islands will look much more profitable and attractive. Most of them have roots, but they do not take root in the soil. They not only decorate the pond, but also prevent the development of primitive green algae that pollute water bodies.
The sizes of floating plants can be different – from miniature duckweed to giant water hyacinth. You can decorate the water space with water cabbage, villain, pemphigus, pinnate, and pistia. The main thing is to take care of floating plants in a timely manner and clear the water surface.
Deep sea
Among deep-water plants, tenacious and capricious varieties come across. Most of them are recognizable and popular. Some bloom, others have unusually beautiful decorative leaves. They are planted to a depth of no more than 1,5 m, otherwise the plants may lack light and air. The quality of the water in the pond can be determined by the state of deep-water plants. If they are healthy and actively developing, then the water in the reservoir is clean, light and oxygen are supplied in the right amount. Most often, ponds are decorated with water lilies, nymphs, silkworms, and water lilies.
Planting and care
In order for the plants in the pond to take root and grow normally, they need to be planted correctly. The best time for planting is late spring – early summer. Plant aquatic cultures in containers or mesh baskets. The best soil option is clay and peat, in a ratio of 2: 1. The soil is poured to the bottom of the container, then the plant is carefully laid, straightening the roots. After laying, it is covered with soil up to the root neck and rammed. From above, the soil is covered with pebbles. The container is lowered into the water, supporting it with fishing line from several sides.
At first, it is not recommended to immerse the flower too deeply. The dive is gradual. Caring for plants in the pond consists of periodic cleaning and thinning. Small crops are usually eaten by fish or frogs, but large ones need to be cleaned up on their own. Immediately you need to get rid of damaged or yellowed parts of the greenery. They provoke the process of decay and worsen the overall appearance.
Almost all floating plants must be taken from the reservoir for the winter.
Since garden ponds are usually shallow or built on the basis of containers dug into the ground, the water will freeze and the plants will die. Therefore, all plants placed in containers are transferred to a warm room and placed in a large container with water. Unrooted free-floating cultures are recommended to be placed in aquariums or any other suitable container.
As rightly noted, beauty does not require sacrifice, but only care and investment. Green islands in the pond and ornamental crops in the coastal zone will delight you for a long time if you provide them with proper care. The main thing in choosing plants is not to overdo it in your pursuit of excellence, and do not try to plant everything at once.