Aquatic Flashcards
Learn aquatic plants
Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’
Evergreen Bog plant with spiralling foliage
0.1-0.5m height x 0.1-0.5 spread
Acid poorly drained soil
Nymphaea ‘Sunrise’
Deep water plant
Yellow summer flower 15cm wide
1.2-1.5m spread
Plant 30-60cm deep
Lemna minor
Floating surface plant
Hardy plant Tiny foliage, fast spreading.
Mentha aquatica
Marginal plant
Fragrant and flowers
30-45cm spread
Plant up to 7.5cm deep
Calla palustris
Bog or Marginal Pond Plants
25cm height x 30cm spread
plant depth 0 - 5cm
Aquatic Plants definitions
These definitions refer to the position within a pond, depth below the surface and the function.
Oxygenators These are usually sold in bunches of unrooted cuttings. They can be rooted into pots or simply weighted to keep them anchored. Approximately 5 bunches of cuttings are used per square metre.
Surface Floaters These are used to discourage algae by covering the pond surface and reducing light levels in the pond. They mustn’t be over vigorous and they should be removed as more ornamental plants become established. They have no anchorage.
Bog/Moisture Lovers To prepare a bog garden, dig out a hole of minimum depth 45cm and with sloping sides. Line with plastic and puncture it with a fork. A layer of gravel is put at the bottom to aid slow drainage and to prevent sitting, stagnant water. Refill with soil and cover with a mulch. Vigorous growers should be confined to sunken containers.
Marginal Plants Most marginals require 8-15cm over their crowns. However, more vigorous marginals (deep marginals) should be at least 30cm deep. If planting in containers, give a minimum size of 23cm diameter. Use soil low in nutrients: select a heavy loam, unmanured, and sieve out organic matter. If garden soil is unsuitable, don’t use standard potting compost – special aquatic compost is recommended.
Deep Water Plants As with marginals, these are grown in aquatic containers or planting beds. The latter are edged shelves filled with soil / compost. Aquatic containers are often mesh pots lined with hessian. Deep water plants in containers should be soaked well before immersion, with gravel added to the surface to prevent soil floating out. They should be positioned shallowly in the water to start with so that the leaves float on the surface and photosynthesise. When growth has begun, they should be lowered further into the water until they reach the desired depth.
Maintenance of Ponds
1) Structural repairs
Liner repair – patches. Concrete ponds – filler and sealant. Adjust levels. Stabilise surrounding stones.
2) Maintenance of water quality
Barley straw and leaf nets to reduce nutrient content of water – discourages algae. Removal of algae such as blanket weed using a rake or sticks. Clean pond out / remove rotting vegetation in the autumn. Check pH is around 7.
3) Autumn and Winter Care
Remove tender plants (place in a bucket in a frost free place). Thin as with herbaceous plants. Cover with a net. Reduce overhanging plants. Check or drain pump. Prevent ice forming.
4) Plant maintenance
Feeding(?). Division. Re-potting. Propagation. Dead-heading. P & D control. Weeding.
Salvinia natan
Floating surface pond plant
Suitable for small ponds in partial shade.
Frost tender
Gunnera manicarta
Bog garden plant
Brazilian rhubarb. Large leaves up to 10ft
6m height
Nymphiodes peltata
Deep water plant
Submerged (15-90cm) water plant with foliage and yellow flower held above surface.
5 - 10cm height
