What plants are best for garden ponds?

Question

What plants are best for garden ponds?

Answer 1

I'd have a mix of plants for beauty as well as oxygenators, to improve the water quality.

Water lilies are great,  and flowering profusely now in my summer garden.  They come in whites, yellows, pinks and red, so there's good variety.  Some of them also have attractive leaf colouring too.   There are miniatures for shallower ponds, as well as the bigger monsters.  If you're in area that's more tropical, there are also tropical water lilies that have huge leaves, and wonderful flowers - they're not frost hardy though, so winter protection is needed elsewhere.  But,  for ease of growing, and covering most of us in typically less tropical climates, it takes alot to beat the hardy water lilies.  

Oxygenating plants will absorb excess nutrients in the water, competing with Algae, helping your pond water stay clearer.  

There are a range of these,  but look for those species that are less invasive.  There are a few shown here:  http://www.pondbiz.com/home/pb1/smartlis...  Typically you can let the oxygenators stay submerged, out of sight, just to continue to do their work.

For marginal pond areas, Arum lilies are striking, typically white, but there are other versions.  Zantedeschia aethiopica is the botanical name of this plant.  Bull rushes are also attractive, and have velvety flower heads, coming in large as well as miniature form.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dwarf-Bulrush-Re...

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob

Answer 2

I'm not sure what color plants you're looking for or anything but the sites listed below have some pictures and information on pond plants.

http://www.pondmarket.com/plants.htm

http://www.pondkoi.com/aquatic_plants.ht...

Answer 3

water lilies!