Also known as Pickerel Weed, Pontederia are native to the north continent of America, where they can be found growing in wide range of areas.  From Canada down to the swamps of Louisiana, vast colonies can be found even growing in the banks of the Everglades.

Pontederia Cordata and its colourful cultivars are some of the most popular and frequently used deep marginal plants.  They can be found growing happily submerged in 3 inches of shallow water or in deeper waters up to 12 inches.   All produce tall upright stems and bright green, spoon shaped lanceolate leaves, with deep blue/purple flowers, or white or pink flowers depending on variety.   This plant has an extremely important use in formal and wildlife ponds as it is favoured by the emerging nymphs of Dragonflies and Damselflies who will use it as a ladder to climb up out of the water to dry out in the sun before emerging into winged adults.   It is also one of the best plants to be used in filtration beds as it is extremely greedy and will consume lost of nutrients and nitrates in the water.   It is not surprising then that it has been awarded the’ RHS Award of Garden Merit’.

Pontederia Dilatata and Lanceolata

Both of these cultivars are larger growing and grow much taller than the wild purple flowered Pontederia Cordata species.  The cultivars can reach a height of up to 5 ft.  Dilatata has narrow leaves and purple flowers where Lanceolata, has the narrowest leaves out of all the cultivars and has large, deep blue flowers.

Pontederia Alba and Pink

Both these cultivars grow to the same size as the Cordata and produce pink or white flowers. Pontederia Cordata Pink is not quite as tough as the white variety but brings a new, and  interesting variety of colour to this wonderful group of plants.

Pontederia Variegated

On our nursery, we have developed our very own unique variegated cultivar which we hope to market in the coming future.  At this moment we haven’t decided on a name, but as you can see from the photo, it is an extremely attractive plant, so keep an eye out for this one in the near future.

In my trade, water gardening means growing plants in and around water or in damp or permanently wet areas, also incorporating the planting of lakes, ponds and their surrounding areas down to the smallest patio containers.  This also includes the planting of bog gardens, moist borders, streams, ditches, marshes, and almost anywhere that is permanently wet.  I often visit garden centres to browse at the pond plants on offer and the first thing I always notice is, the confusing way that the water garden plants are categorised, for example, Perennials advertised as Marginal plants when in reality, will only survive no more than a month when planted as a marginal plant.  I would therefore always suggest doing a bit of self research before purchasing and don’t always rely on the information that is printed on the plant label.  Most Marginal plants will tolerate any fluctuation of seasonal water levels in their natural environment and will also tolerate flooding and times of drought.  Perennials on the other hand, prefer to grow in moist free draining soil, and most will tolerate hot spells and seasonal drought but will not appreciate being grown in any boggy conditions or worse, if they become fully submerged at any time.

A Golden Rule

Marginal plants = very adaptable, so you can grow all varieties in water, and some in bog gardens and even moist borders.

Perennials = only adaptable to hot spells and flooding from heavy rain, but never to be used as a Marginal plant.

What To Look For When Buying Pond Plants

One of the most important things to look out for when buying pond plants is the contamination of Duckweed and Azzola.  If you’re not familiar with these small, floating plants, I would definitely suggest familiarising yourself with them and looking them up for identification.  If you ever see a plant laden display tray filled with water and spot any small, floating plants attached to the plant pots that are for sale, I would suggest to avoid buying them without any hesitation as those small highly invasive plants will quickly take over and spread over your entire pond choking your plants and robbing them of vital daylight and it only takes one minute little piece to ruin your beautiful pond.  Duckweed and Azzola are such a nuisance and a pest that I struggle to believe that they are actually sold on the market and that anybody would consider buying them.  I think this is definitely a case of buyer – beware!!!  

Water Lilies

There are hundreds of different varieties of Water Lily and they grow from different Rhizome types, but only certain Rhizomes are suitable for growing in aquatic baskets and planting bags, so, unless you are planting straight into clay or silt, you will need to carefully consider and investigate your chosen Rhizome variety to make sure it is well suited to your planting preferences, before you purchase.  I would also recommend to buy with caution or in fact, avoid buying altogether a particular Water Lily by the name of Nymphaea Chromatella.  Unfortunately this particular variety is very prone to Crown Rot when under stress, and this disease is very contagious and will ultimately quickly spread to any other existing Water Lilies if introduced to your pond.  However, there are plenty of other good yellow cultivars to choose from these days which can be purchased in complete confidence that they will be disease free from this devastating, and very unwelcome problem.

Healthy Roots And Leaves

Potted pond plants should always be sold with good root systems, so established potted plants should always have roots encircling the inside of the pot.  When purchasing, always take time to check to see if there are signs of roots escaping through the holes at the bottom of the pot or through holes in aquatic baskets.  When purchasing pot plants also be aware that there won’t always be leaves or shoot on them as certain varieties for instance, like Pontederia Cordata, don’t show any signs of growth until at least May time. When pond plants are in growth though, the leaves should always look healthy and rich in colour, with plenty of lush green leaves and not yellow and sickly looking.  Yellow leaves are often a sign of a starved out plant meaning, (too little provision of food),  but this obviously only applies with the exception of any plants that are supposed to have yellow leaves in the first place.  Check the leaves carefully as they should be free of Rust (brown dusty specks ), and especially for signs of Spider Mite, Black Fly, White Fly or any other airborne pests.

Potted pond plants can be planted throughout the year, so if you are planting in late summer or early Autumn, they can often look very scruffy and dormant.  Please be assured though that this is quite normal as any healthy looking plant with summer growth still on it, will be in the process of dying back, but beware even if tempted, remember it is still too early to cut back the old growth.

Caution and familiarity is always the key,

to making your dream garden a good possibility!

Everywhere in nature where you find fresh water, you will also find a diverse eco-system of wildlife. Lakes, Ponds, Streams, Rivers, Canals, Fens, Marshes, Dew Ponds and Mountain Tarns are home to thousands of animal and plant species such as, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals, Fish, and Invertebrates.   All these intriguing little creatures are dependent on water and generally prefer to live on or near to fresh water.  Not surprising then that creating wildlife ponds, has become a very popular, enjoyable, eco-friendly project for gardeners over the past 20 years.  From the smallest sink to the largest clay bottomed lake, if you add water to your garden, you will soon have a variety of wildlife on your doorstep, that will either fly, walk, slither or hop gladly welcoming  the water haven that you have lovingly created and provided.  Fish can sometimes suddenly appear as if by magic in your pond as visiting birds and water-fowl often unknowingly carry fish eggs from one pond to another by attaching themselves to the bird’s feet, legs and bills.  Some creatures will spend their seasonal life cycle undergoing various stages of maturity from, eggs  to nymphs, and from larvae to breeding adults in the water, on the water, or under the surface, while others such as some birds, reptiles and mammals will simply use the water to drink, swim, hunt or bath.  It is therefore essential that a wildlife garden should have gentle sloping sides to allow all that use it a safe haven and a get out clause!

Wildlife you can attract

There are such a diverse variety that I could write a separate blog on each and every one of the following species, so I’m simply listing below some of the wildlife that you can attract.

Birds and Mammals such as -  Ducks, Herons, King Fishers, Water Voles, Water Shrews to name but a few of the hundreds of species that will visit for a drink or bath.

Reptiles and Amphibians such as - Common Frogs, Common Toads, Marsh Frogs, Smooth Newts, Palmate Newts, Greater Crested Newts and Grass Snakes, all rely on water to breed and hunt.

Fish - There are hundreds of fresh water fish in Britain and Europe, and it’s quite common to discover Stickle Backs and even ornamental Gold Fish in wildlife ponds that have been accidently introduced by eggs carried on the feet and bills of visiting birds.

Invertebrates –  There are quite literally thousands of creatures that spend part of their lifecycle in, under or on the water surface such as Pond Snails, China-Mark Moths, Water Beetles, Spring Tails, Crane Flies, Fresh -Water Shrimps, Water Scorpions, Water Fleas, Cadis Flies, Dragon Flies, Damsel Flies, May Flies, Blood Worms, Leaches, Raft Spiders, Water Skaters and Water Boatmen.  Bees and Hover Flies will also visit high pollen producing plants such as Potentilla Palustris to drink and collect the nectar.

Micro-Organisms - Thousands of tiny and microscopic organism such as Hydra and minute Sponges, spend their entire life in fresh water.  Although bottom of the food chain and seemingly insignificant as most are invisible to the naked eye, they are however an essential and highly important part of pond life and provide a very important link in the whole eco-system maintaining water quality and providing food for many tiny pond dwellers.

Aquatic Plants

Many people are miss-guided by incorrect information that they find in some books that states that “A Wildlife Garden must have only British Native Plants,” and this information is in my opinion, incorrect.  There is no reason whatsoever why a wildlife garden cannot have Non-Native and Hybrid Cultivar varieties intermixed together as it is most important to have a good diverse collection of plants in and around your pond.  Potentilla Palustris and Lythrum Salicara as well as many others with a high nectar count, will attract Bees, whereas various Rushes and marginal plants will help any emerging Nymphs to climb out of the water to dry off and shed their skins to emerge as flying adults. Low growing creeping shallow marginal plants are great planted all around the edge of the water too.  Plant some aquatic Mosses amongst them and this will create the perfect hiding places, entrance and exits for all visitors.  Plants with floating leaves such as, Water-Lilies, Nuphars, Apponogetons and some free-floating plants are beneficial to certain wildlife.  Pond weeds such as Starwort’s, Hornwort’s, Milfoil’s, Water Crowfoots, and Potomogetons  (True Pond Weeds), are also an essential edition to any pond as they provide shelter and a breeding ground for many creatures including Amphibians.  They plants will also take out excess nitrates in the water and in return, give out much needed oxygen.  I recommend that at least two thirds of your wildlife pond should be covered by Submerged, Free-Floating or Surface Leafed Plants to create that perfect balance for a happy, healthy, wildlife friendly environment for all our fascinating and wonderful wildlife to visit and live in.

Wildlife – We love you

Probably the most widespread marginal plant in the world, the vigorous Iris Pseudacorus, or more commonly known as Flag Iris, is also native to Europe, Western Asia and North-East Africa.  Over the years it has become an invasive intruder to much of North America,but  despite this, the native species and two cultivars (Iris Pseudacorus Variegata) and (Iris Pseudacorus Roy-Davidson), have all  been awarded the AGM(Award of Garden Merit).  This plant is identified by many common names such as, Yellow Flag, Water Flag, Jacobs Sword, Daggers, Water Skegs, and Flagon to name but a few. This species of plant is very robust and will grow on the edge of ponds, lakes and streams where it will form large colonies.  In times of drought, the plants rhizomes will grow up the banks and can survive lengthy drought conditions. Growing to a height of 3 to 5 ft it complements well with Typhas (Reed Mace) and also Butomus Umbellatus (Flowering Rush).  Iris Pseudacorus has a varied flowering time between May and June depending on location and weather conditions.  After flowering, the seed pods develop quickly and get quite large and turn brown in Autumn.  When ripe, they split open revealing dozens of orange/brown seeds, which benefit from being frozen in the winter in order to germinate in the following spring.

Attractive To Wildlife

Our native Flag Iris and its cultivars are great for attracting wildlife.  The scented flowers attract various insects including Bumble Bees, Honey Bees and Hover flies.  The sword like leaves and stems provide good cover for the larvae of Dragonflies and Damselflies which will hatch into flying adults on a hot summer’s day.

Poisonous and Medicinal Properties

All Iris’s are poisonous and can cause skin irritations and allergies to certain people and severe stomach pain and cramps if ingested.  So it seems strange to me that the seeds have been roasted throughout the past to make coffee.  It is also said that a small slice of fresh rhizome will instantly cure a toothache when placed on the tooth, much the same way as cloves are used today. The flowers have also been used to make an attractive yellow dye and the dye that can be extracted from the root, when mixed with sulphate of iron, will make a black dye.

Cultivars

There are at least 50 or more worldwide cultivars and maybe even 100, and the hybrids come in a vast array of colours ranging from blue, brown and yellow flowers, and also combinations of all three colours.  They come in single or double flowers, different leaf variegations and heights ranging from 1ft to 6ft.  Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we are able to offer 20 varieties which are available to buy online or from our retail nursery.

One of the things we have plenty of and contribute to our rich green isles, is rainfall.  Plenty of rainfall means plenty of wet habitats for our wildlife forming lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes and woodland swamps.  Wherever you find fresh water, you will also find plants.  This aquatic eco-system is beneficial to all British wildlife in return creates an even bigger diverse eco-system.  Native Aquatic plants have also adapted to our man made ditches and canals.  There are thousands of British Aquatic plants and they are diverse in size and type.  Known in nature as ‘Aquatic Weeds’ and or ‘Pond Weeds’, some of these plants are used commercially and sold to recreate wildlife water gardens.  Some spend their lives underwater fully submerged whilst others are naturally Terrestrial (Semi-Aquatic) and have adapted over the years to cope with drought and flooding.

Submerged Species

There are hundreds of Submerged Aquatic Pond Weeds known in the trade as ‘Oxygenating’ and or ‘Deep Water plants’.  This group include the ‘Potomogeton Species’ (Pond Weeds), of which ‘Potomogeton Crispus’ (Curled Pond Weed), is used as a very popular oxygenating plant.  Other varieties also used are ‘Callitriche Species’ (Starwort) and ‘Ranunculus Aquatilis’ (Water Crowfoot) which looks stunning with its mass of white flowers that cover the water surface.

Bog-lands

Bogs are made up of dead Sphagnum Moss and are therefore very acidic and not rich in nutrients, and for that reason, they are home to many Carnivorous plants.  Sometimes referred to as ‘True Bog-Plants’, and are home to many Aquatic Grasses and Sedges as well as ‘Anagalis Tenella’ (Bog Pimpernel) and ‘Calla Palustris’ (Bog-Arum) which both creep amongst the damp moss.  However, they will also adapt and grow on the edge of mossy streams and ditches.

Woodland Swamps

Home to ‘Carex Pendula’ (weeping sedge), and found abundantly throughout Britain, this plant  makes an excellent marginal plant for coverage around man-made lakes.  You can also find in our damp and flooded woodlands, thousands of ‘Ranunculus Ficaria’ (Lesser Celandine).  Making a carpet of yellow flowers in the spring, ‘Caltha Palustris’ (King Cups and or Marsh Marigolds) also favour these conditions and have steadily grown into one of the most popular, Marginal plants sold for use around ponds, lakes and almost anywhere that is damp.

Distribution

Some of our Native Aquatic plants are quite rare and can only be found in isolated places.  Many of the Pond Weeds fall into this category such as ‘Valerian Officinalis’ (Marsh Valerian) for example, which seems to favour Scottish Highlands, while taller plants like ‘Eupatorium Canibinum’ (Hemp Agrimony), can be found growing in the flood plains of rivers and streams.  A particular species known as ‘Butomus Umbelatus’ (Flowering Rush), will only grow in fresh water where as ‘Typha Species’ (Reed Mace) are more abundant and can also be found growing in salt water marshes. Other aquatic  plants have a wider distribution and can be found growing all over the British isles and these include ‘Iris Pseudacorus’ (Yellow Flag),  ‘Mentha Aquatica’ (Water Mint), ‘Hydrocotyl Vulgaris’ (Penny Wort) and ‘Filipendula Ulmaria’ (Meadow Sweet).  ‘Cardamine Pratensis’ (Cuckoo Flower), grows almost anywhere that is damp but loves marshy grassland. All the above plants are widely sold and used throughout the water-gardening industry.

Rivers

We have plenty of rivers in the British isles and they are home to some very robust plants that can take a battering from regular flooding, One such aquatic plant ‘Nuphar Luteum’ (Brandy Bottle), is very popular as it has leaves similar to a Water Lily and attractive yellow butter-cup flowers that stand out of the water.  This plant is very adaptable and can also be found growing in clay bottomed ponds and lakes.

Phragmites Australis (Norfolk Rush)

The name of this particular plant seems to give its wide diversity and distribution away as this plant, covers almost all of the Norfolk Broads.  This tall growing, marginal rush has many uses and various parts are edible and can be used in cuisine.  However, its main use is as a natural filtration plant in Reed Beds, known as Phyto-Filtration.

Marshes

Marshes can be found in every county of Britain and Ireland, and they are home to hundreds of aquatic plants.  The following plants make excellent Marginal and Bog-Garden plants for wildlife and ornamental ponds – ‘Geum Rivale’ (Water Avens), ‘Lychnis Flos Cuculi’ (Ragged Robin), ‘Stachys Palustris’ (Marsh Woundwort), ‘Veronica Becabunga’ (Brooklime) and ‘Myasotis Palustris’ (Water Forget-Me-Not).

Wildlife

All British wildlife relies on water, and adding water to your garden can attract Reptiles, Amphibians, Mammals, Birds and Insects giving you nature on your doorstep.  Coots and Moorhens will nest amongst rushes, whereas Grass Snakes will swim in the water looking for frogs as a tasty meal. Amphibians will breed in the water and spend the rest of the spring and summer living in surrounding areas and mammals will drink water and nest amongst the Grasses and Bog-Garden plants.  You can also attract numerous insects and butterflies, for example the ‘Potentilla Palustris’ (Marsh Cinquefoil), will attract hundreds of honey and wild bumble bees and another plant species known as ‘Succisa Pratensis’ (Devils Bit Scabious), will be welcomed by the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly as this plant provides food for its larvae.

In this blog I have only mentioned a small amount of the different varieties of our Native Aquatic Plants that will encourage a wide spectrum of wildlife into your garden, however, there are many more available and ready to purchase from our retail nursery or online from our website.

BLESS OUR NATIVES!

When we think of water gardens and ponds, we imagine a picture of nature, made up of reflections, fish, wildlife and plants.  The plants we visualise are usually of Rushes and Water lilies and pond weeds that look attractive under the water.  These plants not only look attractive and bring the water garden to life but, are also beneficial for the wildlife and for getting a good balance in the pond to maintain healthy water.  A vast selection of plants have a hidden use, being edible or medicinal or sometimes both!  For example, the Sacred Lotus ( Latin name Nelumbo), has multiple uses.

I decided to do a bit of research in hope of creating an alphabetical list of edible and medicinal plants.  I have had to dig deep and expand my existing knowledge in order to create the list below, but apart from munching on odd vanilla tasting Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton Distachyos) flowers and  water-cress, I have no other personal experience of consumption or use from the list below.  I   would therefore suggest, that any readers of this blog do a little extra  research into individual species before finding a cure for an ailment or before adding any of these plants to your cooking for a free meal for your family and relatives.

Achillea Ptarmica (Sneezewort) is a moisture loving, almost bog-garden plant.  As the name suggests, when dried, the leaves can be used as sneezing powder and also as a spice.  The leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked.

Acorus (species) Sweet Flag) is a plant with many uses and is easy to grow as a marginal plant.  The rhizomes have an aniseed smell when broken open and oil can be extracted from the dried rhizomes which can be used as a scent whilst the adult leaves can be used as an insect repellent.  The rhizomes are also edible and make a substitute for ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.  The young leaves can be eaten raw but are far more palatable when cooked.

Aponogeton Distachyos (Water Hawthorne) is a deep water plant with floating leaves and has vanilla scented flowers.  The round tubers and the flowers are both edible.

Butomus Umbellatus (Flowering Rush) is a marginal plant that produces edible tubers and seeds.

Cardamine Pratensis (Cuckoo Flower) grows everywhere  in ditches in the spring.  The leaves can be used in salads but are a bit hot and taste of mild mustard.

Colocasia (species) is a tropical marginal and also a bog-garden plant that produces tubers that can be eaten and cooked in any fashion preferred.

Cyperus Longus (Sweet Galingale) is an invasive marginal and bog-garden plant with rhizomes that can be used as a spice.

Glyceria (species) is an attractive marginal grass that grows in water up to 12 inches deep and produces sweet edible seeds.

Gunnera Tinctoria is a giant plant which has spiny leaf stems which apparently, are edible, but don’t take my word for it!!!

Houttuynia Cordata (Orange-Peel Plant) is a plant that grows in the border and also under the water. The leaves can be used as a herb substitute for Cilantro, so would be good to use in Mexican cooking.

Hydrocotyl (species), the leaves of this creeping, shallow marginal/oxygenating plant can be eaten raw but also has many medicinal uses.

Lemna (Duckweed), at last, there might be a use for this invasive, floating plant! Used raw, the leaves can be used as a garnish on salads.

Matteuccia Struthiopteris ( Shuttlecock Fern) has tightly wound fronds which can be used in cooking as a vegetable.  However, this plant should only be consumed in small quantities or in a time of famine as the fern contains high quantities of carcinogens.

Mentha Aquatic (Water Mint), this marginal plant speaks for itself.  Use the mint as you would any other mint.

Nasturtium Officinal (Water-Cress),  another marginal that speaks for itself.  I think everyone is familiar with this one and knows how to use it.

Nelumbo (species), no water plant has as many uses as the Lotus Plant.  There are so many uses that I have written an entire blog just on this amazing plant.  Its seeds, fruit, flowers, and leaves are all edible and it’s also highly valued as a medicinal plant to treat dozens of ailments.

Nuphar Luteum (Brandy Bottle), this group of plants have similar floating leaves to Water Lilies but has differently formed single flowers in shades of yellow (depending on species).  The plant has multiple uses as all parts are edible cooked or raw and the seeds can be ground up and used to thicken soups and stews.

Nymphaea (species) Water Lily),  Water Lilies come from all areas of the world and there are thousands of hardy and tropical varieties with flowers all colours of the rainbow, so is undoubtedly, the showiest plant in the water-garden.  Our common native variety Nymphaea Alba, is edible.  The seeds can be used as a coffee substitute and the rhizomes, young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw, but would probably be far better cooked.

Osmunda Reagalis (Ostrich Fern) has the same uses as Matteucia Struthiopteris.

Peltandra Virginica (Green Arrow Arum),  this shallow marginal plant is rather suprising!!!   The rhizomes are poisonous raw but edible when well cooked.

Phragmites Australis (Norfolk Rush) is a tall marginal  rush growing up to 10 ft tall and can be found happily growing in damp soil or water up to 1ft deep.  This plant has multiple uses.  When the stem is cut, it produces a sap that can be eaten raw or toasted.  Young shoots can be consumed raw or cooked and the seeds can be used in cooking .  The roots can be dried, ground up and mixed with water to make a paste for stock.

Pontederia (species) is an attractive deep marginal plant with showy blue flowers and  grows in water up to 1ft deep.  Both the seeds and young leaf stems can be eaten fresh or cooked.  The seeds can also be ground up to make flour.

Potentilla Ansernia (Silverweed) is a creeping plant with silver leaves and yellow flowers  and likes wet habitats.  The roots can be baked and then ground into flour.

Ranunculus Ficaria (Lesser Celandine) is another plant which prefers wet habitats in the spring.  The leaves must not be eaten raw, but boiling the plant will remove and destroy any toxins.  It can then be served up to consume much as you would spinach.

Sagittaria (species)Duck Potato) is a deep water marginal plant with attractive arrow shaped leaves and white flowers.  The round tubers are not only edible to ducks but are consumed by humans around the world, especially china where they also eat Trappa Natans (water chestnuts).  Sagittaria tubers can be eaten cooked or raw.

Samolus Valerandii (Brook Weed) is a low-growing wet loving plant that produces small spinach-like leaves and masses of tiny white flowers.  The young leaves can be consumed fresh or cooked.

Scirpus Lacustris (Bullrush) is a tall growing deep green marginal rush which grows in water up to 1ft deep.  The roots and young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked but the roots can also be dried, ground and turned into flour.

Sparganium Erectum (Burr-Reed) is a deep marginal rush with attractive round fruits and seed heads.  The tuber is best consumed after boiling for 10 minutes.

Trappa Natans (Water Chestnut) is a tropical free-floating plant that produces edible under-water nuts which can be eaten raw or cooked and are consumed all over the world especially in oriental cooking.

Typha (species)Reed-Mace also known as Bull Rushes)is  an invasive deep marginal rush that grows abundantly.  It has almost as many uses as the Sacred Lotus! The rhizomes can be dried and ground into flour or consumed fresh or cooked.  Young seed heads can be cut when still green and roasted and  the young shoots and the base of mature plants can be eaten raw or cooked.  Base plants will need the tougher outer layer removed, much as you would when preparing Leeks.  The leaves and bull-heads are also used by various tradesmen as they are very versatile.  The leaves can be woven and the mature bull-heads when exploded, contain a dense mass of fluff which can be used for stuffing textiles or for insulation.

Veronica Becabunga (Brooklime) is another low-growing wet loving plant that produces masses of small blue flowers.  The leaves are edible raw but rather bitter, but are quite tasty when boiled in salted water for a few minutes.

DISCLAIMER

Please note, the information provided in this blog is in no way a prescription for use.  All plants mentioned which are used for medicinal purposes or for consumption, are done so at the users own discretion and risk.

There are hundreds of different types of Fresh-Water Algae and the most common problematic forms to invade our ponds are Blanket Weed (Filamentous Algae) and Plankton Algae more commonly known as ‘Green-Water Algae’.  Algae blooms can occur for a number of reasons, but are more commonly found in newly established ponds, especially those filled up with tap-water.  It’s widely thought that chlorine can trigger off an Algae Bloom simply by a lack of established plants, and before you know it, your pond has turned into a horrible pea soup green.  This green bubbly scum will quickly deoxygenate the water.  Other causes of Algae Bloom are too much sunlight, nutrients which are released from too much sludge, fertilisers (plant food) and, fish waste.  It is therefore essential to establish plants in all ponds before introducing fish.  Green Water Algae problems in established ponds usually correct themselves over time, finally establishing a good water balance.  It is also quite common after a heavy night of rain to find your green pond has magically turned crystal clear by the morning, and this happens because the heavy rain breaks down the Algae, which then sinks to the bottom of the pond.

Preventions and Treatments

As the saying suggests, prevention in the first place is better than the cure.   The key to this is to add the correct balance of aquatic plants.  Two thirds of the surface of your pond should be covered in floating leafed plants, oxygenating plants and free-floating plants.  Aquatic plants take nutrients out of the water reducing and starving out nutrient Hungry Algae.  Marginal plants are also excellent for reducing nitrate levels, and to find out more information regarding this, just take a look at our ‘Advanced Search’ facility on our Homepage at www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk  and then tick the ‘Advanced Search’ box for ‘Nitrate Removing Plants’.  Pond Snails are also a perfect attribute to a healthy balanced pond as they are great scavengers.  Further information on our helpful little slimy friends can be found on a separate blog entitled ‘Pond snails’.

Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we have some excellent treatments which are popular, fast and effective, one of which is a product called ‘Cloverleaf Blanket Answer’.  We highly recommend this product as we use it ourselves on our retail nursery and it keeps us in full control of this annoying invader.  There are two other popular, effective products which we also sell and they are, ‘Barley Straw Pads’ and ‘Ecopond Extract of Barley Straw’.  All of these products are available to buy online or in person here at Lilies Water Gardens.

Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we will always strive to provide you with highly effective treatments to keep at bay all varieties of Pond Algae which may invade your ponds and lakes so you too can have an Algae free, healthy and happy environment for your plants and of course, your wildlife.

POND ALGAE – BEWARE”! 

There seems to be a lot of miss-guided information throughout the aquatic industry of what true aquatic plants are?  It never ceases to amaze me to see marginal and bog-garden plants categorized together as a sales ploy and having the same information written about them in books and in fact, commonly, all over the internet.  Aquatic means just that, “Aquatic”.  Marginal plants grow in water and although bog-garden plants like water around their roots, and can survive a few days of flooding, they will drown if submerged for a lengthy period.  Marginal plants on the other hand will tolerate lengthy times of flood and are adaptable enough to endure even drought conditions.  Many varieties and their cultivars are happy submerged for up to 8-9 months of the year, but in the summer, when pond, lake and stream levels drop, they can be found out of the water growing 2-3 ft up the side of exposed banks.   In these drought conditions, they will produce roots that will grow down to 2-3 ft until they reach the water table. This is their natural cycle and during this dry spell, many plants of this nature will self- seed.

True aquatic plants can be placed in three main categories.

Fully Submerged

This category includes all aquatic plants that produce floating leaves on the water surface, such as Water lilies, Apponogeton, Nuphars  and also the giant Amazon Water Lily with its 3-5 feet leaf pads. Other types of plants in this category are known as “Aerating “or “Oxygenating”, and all these true aquatic plants take carbon-dioxide from the water and in return, give out essential oxygen.

Marginal Plants

As the name suggests, this large category of aquatic plants grow on the margin, where water meets land.  They can be sub-categorized as “Shallow Marginal’s” and “Deep Marginal’s”, but the main difference being, that some are quite happy with their feet in a cm of water, while others prefer deeper water of up to 18 inches deep.  All are very adaptable to times of drought and lengthy durations of seasonal flooding.

Free Floating

Probably everyone’s favourite as they require zero maintenance.  The aquatic plants in this category simply float on the water surface and include nuisance varieties of duckweed, which in my mind, should never be sold at all as it engulfs everything.  Also in this category you will find the very popular Water-Hyacinths and Water-Lettuce and many others.  All Free-floating plants provide valuable cover for fish and wildlife.  Floating leaves cut down on sunlight and help prevent green water and Blanket Weed.  Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we recommend that at least two thirds of your pond should be covered in floating, submerged or oxygenating plants.

Happy, Harmonious Water Gardening!

Marsh marigolds are members of the plant family called Ranunculaceae and are native to marshes, fens, ditches, streams and damp woodlands.  As with all Ranunculus, the plants are poisonous.  Marsh Marigolds have many traditional and folklore names such as, Yellow-Boots, Molly- Blobs, Horse- Blobs, Water-Blobs and Water- Bubbles.  Other names given seem to have more meaning behind them.  For instance, the Greek word “Calathos” means, cup or goblet, so this explains why they are known as King-Cups.  They are also known as May-Blobs because in ancient history, the flowers were used in church festivals and scattered on cottage doorways on May Day to usher in the month. The plant was also devoted to the Virgin Mary hence the shake spear saying “Winking Mary buds begin to open their golden eyes“.  The name Palustris is Latin for “Of the marsh”.

King-Cups are one of our most ancient native plants that adapted well to growing in melt water after the last ice-age.  They have waxy kidney-shaped, serrated leaves and cup-shaped glossy yellow flowers.  They flower between February and May and grow to a height of 80 cm. They are one of a few of our native species that has been awarded the AGM (Award Of Garden Merit).  Caltha’s produce lots of pollen and are very attractive to many insects including the Honey Bee, Halictid Bee, Syrphid Fly and the Giant Bee Fly.

Catha’s carry a bit of folklore with them such as, its unlucky to bring them indoors before the 1st of May.  Marsh Marigolds were also woven into hoops along with other British wild flowers and placed under milk pots to stop milk being spirited away.

Poisonous Yet Medicinal!

All Catha’s are poisonous and contain harmful toxins and alkaloid poison, so can cause skin rashes and other irritant skin problems.  Although inedible raw, the plant has been cooked and eaten in times of famine as boiling the plant removes the toxins.  Although its poison is very potent, it does indeed seem rather strange that through the ages it was used for medicinal purposes to remove warts, and cure fits, anaemia and insomnia.  The leaves were used to make herbal tea as a laxative cure and the roots were used as cold remedies to treat sores.

Sub-Species, Varieties and Cultivars

Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we grow 10 different kinds of Marsh Marigold species and cultivars,  some of which are more prolific in flowering, Some have double chrysanthemum-like flowers and others have pale yellow or white flowers.  We also have a giant variety which has lemon flowers.  We also stock an unusual variety called “Caltha Natans”, which is a creeping variety with small floating leaves and mini-white flowers.  This variety comes from Siberia, so loves being frozen in the winter.

Pond Snails

There are around 30 different species of fresh water snails in the UK, many of which, are very small and currently unavailable to buy.  However, the two most familiar varieties are Lymnaea Stagnalis (giant pond snails) and Planorbarius Corneus (Rams horn snails). These particular species are the most popular and are easily recognized and often talked about, and sold to pond owners.  All snails are prolific breeders and in large numbers, are beneficial in the clearing up of decaying matter and also for keeping different types of algae and blanket weed under control.  In recent years,  water garden enthusiasts and novices have been weighing up the pros and cons of introducing pond snails into their water gardens but, having worked alongside these fascinating creatures for over 25 years, I can only emphasise how important they are to the whole water garden Eco-system. Not only do they clear up waste but are part of the food chain for many water fowl and other non-water birds, and to top the lot, they are actually quite interesting to watch, especially on a hot summers day when they crawl underneath the water surface feeding on  algae as they go.  If you take a closer look, you can actually see their mouths opening and closing as they forage for food.

Infestation Problems

All healthy ponds rely on an ecosystem, a balance of healthy water and pond life. In man-made water-gardens and especially in smaller ponds, this balance can sometimes be difficult to maintain, and occasionally, you can get an infestation of snails.  This is not surprising though as pond snails have both male and female sex organs, so are experts in the field of colonization. However, it is usually the smaller wild uncommon species of snails that seem to cause most of the problems.  I myself, have never known Rams horns or Giant pond snails to do any more damage in large populations other than to over-nibble a few plants. However, any population infestations are best left alone in the long run as they will naturally correct themselves.

Colonizing and Migrating

Pond snails have an amazing ability to simply turn up in your pond.  Visiting birds like Moorhens, Coots, Ducks and Herons can often introduce water weeds to your pond by getting them tangled up on their feet, and lots of these weeds are often home to snail spawn.  Snail eggs are usually quite common to spot and are covered in a jelly like substance.  Round dots in a flat round Jelly (the size of a five pence) are laid by the Rams Horn snail whilst round dots in a two centimeter long tubular strip, will have been laid by Giant pond snails.

Water snails also have their own way of moving from pond to pond.  I personally have been witness to this amazing event only a few times when the conditions have been just right. On a warm summers night after hours of non-stop drizzle or steady rainfall, the pond snails will leave the water and migrate to another pond, traveling anything up to about 50 yards a trip.  Its not surprising then that sometimes adult snails just suddenly appear in newly dug or established ponds, so there is no need to introduce them to your neighbor, just sit back and wait for a wet night!