stunning ornamental pond planting
Ornamental pond plants are perfect for the geometric pond shape from formal rectangle to the perfect circle and for more formal areas of the garden. Where the pond planting needs to complement the colourful cultivated garden. They have the advantage of often being less vigorous than the native pond plants and come with variegated leaves and a whole range of colours to suit all planting situations. So here are a few to consider.
Floaters: These as the name suggests float on the surface of the water, most are deciduous, they can either be planted in baskets or straight into the pond soil or some you literally hurl into the middle of the water and they sort themselves out.
Nymphaea ‘Pink Sensation’
Nymphaea ‘Pink Sensation’: This is a striking large water lily flowering over a long summer season with attractive leaves that open purple before turning green. Wide open pink flowers with a cluster of golden stamens. Flowers stay open into late afternoon. A must for the medium to large size pond. Water levels 1.5m approx. Full sun
Orontium aquaticum
Orontium aquaticum: The Golden Club, this is an underseal floater has large waxy grey green leaves which are sliver under side. Narrow white flower spikes tipped with yellow florets are produced in spring. Water level 10-45cm approx. full sun.
Marginals: These plants like different depths of water on the edge of ponds from some permanently in water at quite a depth to others copping with wet and some dry conditions through the year.
Iris laevigate
Iris laevigate: Japanese water Iris, a truly elegant plant, with swords of mid green foliage and clear 3 petalled blue flowers appearing in June and a second flush in September. Water level 10cm approx. Full sun.
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Zantedeschia aethiopica: Arum Lily, this striking plant has wow facture written all over it. It is a stunning addition to the ornamental pond. Large mid green arrow shaped leaves form a dense cluster. Funnel shaped fragrant white flowers are produced throughout the summer. To help the plant survive winter frosts plant in water to a depth of 5 to 25cm approx. Full sun.
Moisture loving plants: These plants thrive in damp soil conditions at the edge of the pond, but do not want to be in water.
Astilbe x arendsii ‘fanel’
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanel’: A fabulous perennial planted on mass for full impacted. Deep green feather foliage with tall flower spikes of fluffy dark red flowers are bourne from July with a long flowering period and dead flower spikes add interested to the winter garden. Damp soil only full sun for best flowering results. To 75cm tall
Ligularia prewalskii
Ligularia prewalskii: A dramatic plant to add to the pond edge, with wide deeply cut dark green leaves, with tall flower spikes of yellow daisy like flowers, flowering from late summer. High 1.2 -1.8m for a moist soil in part shade.
formal pond with planting
I hope I have enthused you to plant some dramatic and show stopping ornamental pond plants. If you want help designing a new formal pond or restoring an existing pond and redesigning and planting it, I know just the woman to help you. Give me Emily a ring 01273 470753.