how to plant, grow & care for pond plants

Water is one of the most important additions you can make to your garden to increase wildlife activity and biodiversity. 

Our Pond Plants are invaluable for making a pond look attractive and they are great for wildlife, creating a habitat and shelter both above and below the water. They also offer perching and resting places for insects, such as dragonflies and damselflies, and help creatures get in and out of the water. Some plants add oxygen to the water and others, such as waterlilies, help to provide shading for the surface.

how to plant, grow and care for your pond plants

Marginal Pond Plants

The backbone of a pond and its surrounding area, marginal pond plants are water plants which have their roots below water and their foliage and flowers displayed above. Wide and varied in form, colour, and size, they are for placing on pond shelves, planting at the shallower pond edges and some will be happy in a bog garden. All varieties are native to the UK.

• Sent out in either 1L or 3L pots and grown in peat-free compost, plants can be added to your pond directly on arrival. The compost may have dried out a little during in transit, so before placing into the pond, water well and allow the compost to soak through.
• Marginal plants can cope with a range of depths – these are highlighted on each product page. When measuring the depth of water suitable for each variety, measure from the top of the pot (soil level) to the water surface, then place on the appropriate shelf.
• As a guide, allow approximately three to four marginal plants per sq. m of water.
• Maintain your plants by cutting back and trimming excess or decaying foliage (and add to the compost heap) to keep your pond tidy and healthy. In autumn, cut back all foliage for over-wintering.

Bog and Moist Ground Plants

A selection of plants which are ideal for growing in damp and boggy soils – they thrive in moist soils but prefer not to have their roots permanently in the water. Perfect for the edge of a pond or damp, boggy area of the garden. 

• Sent out in 9cm or 1L pots and grown in peat-free compost, when your plants arrive remove the packaging and stand pots upright in a bucket or wheelbarrow of water for 20 minutes, to give the roots a good drink. 
• Most will thrive in full sun or light shade and need to be planted in soils which are constantly moist – it’s important the roots don’t dry out.

Our range contains four varieties:

• Geranium palustre (Marsch Cranesbill). Despatched in a 9cm pot. Grow in moist/damp/boggy soil and divide congested clumps in spring. Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and flowers.
• Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet). Despatched in a 1L pot. Grow in moist/damp/boggy soil and divide congested clumps in spring. Cut back after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
• Primula vialii (Orchid Primrose). Despatched in a 9cm pot. Grow in moist/damp/boggy soil. Divide large clumps after flowering.
• Succisa pratensis (Devil’s Bit Scabious). Despatched in a 9cm pot. Grow in moist/damp/boggy soil.

Oxygenating Plants

These submersible plants play a key role in oxygenating and help to maintain clean and healthy water. Some have floating leaves which not only provide cover for wildlife, but also help to cut down on sunlight, preventing green water and blanket-weed build up.  

Our range contains two varieties:

• Marselia quadrifolia (Water Shamrock) is despatched in a 1L pot. Place on a pond shelf to a depth of 20cm (8in). Strong and vigorous, cut back each year to keep in check.
• Certatophyllum demersum (Hornwort) Supplied as weighted bunches. On arrival, and after unpacking, simply drop the bunches into the water and allow to sink to the bottom of the pond. It doesn’t root, so is easy to control. Allow it to fill about one third of the pond – any excess can be removed and added to the compost heap.

Floating and Deep-Water Plants

Floating and deep-water plants are valuable additions to a pond, helping to shade it and reduce the amount of algae produced. 

Our range contains two varieties:

• Hydrocharis morsus ranae (Frogbit) Supplied as a floating plant. On arrival, and after unpacking, simply place onto the pond surface and allow to float. It will naturally die back after flowering in autumn. Survives as small buds which sink to the bottom and bury themselves in the mud and will re-emerge next spring. PLEASE NOTE – these plants are very small when despatched. As the weather warms up, they will grow and increase in size.
• Stratiotes aloides (Water Soldier) Supplied as a floating plant. On arrival, and after unpacking, simply place onto the pond surface and allow to float. Will naturally die back after flowering in autumn. Survives as small buds which sink to the bottom and bury themselves in the mud and will re-emerge next spring.

Water Lilies 

Prized for their beautiful blooms and heart-shaped, floating leaves, hardy water lilies (Nymphaea) make wonderful additions to garden ponds. Flowering in a range of colours from soft pastels to the darkest reds, many with a delightful fragrance, there is a variety to suit all sizes of pond. Aside from their beauty, their leaves also provide shade for aquatic wildlife and landing pads for pollinators. 

Dwarf Water Lilies

• Nymphaea Pygmaea ‘Alba’ and Nymphaea Pygmaea ‘Rubra’. Supplied in 1L pots and can be added to your pond directly on arrival. Place at the bottom of small ponds, tubs and barrels, or on a shelf for larger ponds, to a depth of between 15 - 30cm (6-12in).
• Allow 1 plant per 0.25 sq.m (2.7 sq.ft)

Small Water Lilies

• Nymphaea ‘Perry’s Almost Black’ and Nymphaea ‘Rose Arey’. Supplied in 3L pots and can be added to your pond directly on arrival. Place at the bottom of the pond or on a shelf for larger ponds, to a depth of between 15 - 45cm (6-18in).
• Allow 1 plant per 1.0 sq.m (10.7 sq.ft)

Medium to large Water Lilies

• Nymphaea ‘Caroliniana Nivea’ and Nymphaea ‘Hermine’. Supplied in 3L pots and can be added to your pond directly on arrival. Place at the bottom of the pond or on a shelf for larger ponds, to a depth of between 30 - 60cm (12-24in).
• Allow 1 plant per 1.5-2.0 sq.m (16-21 sq.ft)

Water lilies grow and increase in size by producing tuber-like rhizomes (underground stems) which act as organs to provide the plant with water and nutrients. The leafy shoots produced from the rhizomes can be used to make new plants. 
Cut and trim back dead foliage in the autumn and allow them to die back to the bottom of the pond. New growth will emerge in the spring.