new ponder

[RWinn]

I  just started my first pond about 2 months ago. I am not sure of what kind of plants and stuff to put in it.If anyone could help I would apreciate it. my pond is about 1800 gal and in the sun all day

[livetogarden]

Where are you located? This may help others to know what plants to suggest.
Welcome!!!!! You will find some great help here. And be prepared because ponding will become an obsession.
Cath

[Julles]

Yes, welcome!

You will want both underwater and floating plants, plus some marginals or bog plants.  Oh, and after searching the threads here, and looking at all the photos, you will surely want some lilies!

Some underwater plants are hornwort, and anachras.  Floating plants include water hyacinth (which blooms, in purple), duckweed.  None of these need to be in soil or gravel.

There are all sorts of marginals, like sweet flag, taro, parrot feather, money wort and penny wort, iris, sedge, oh heck - zillions.  These plants are meant to be planted in soil or gravel, either in pots placed where they will be wet but not under water, or planted along the edges of the pond, in a bog-like setting.

Lilies go in soil (clay) in pots and are set on the bottom of the pond, at heights particular to each variety of lily.

[Esther]

Welcome. Did you take pictures of your new pond? We love pictures.

As for plants, it kinda depends on the look you want. It really doesn't matter what you plant, where because if your pond does what mine did, the plants go wherever they want to anyway. And eventually you'll have to pull them out and start over. That's the way mine is right now. I was given 6 types of plants. I put them in the pond on the plant ledge and put rocks on them to hold them down. They have crept all around the edges. Some have reseeded into the soil on the sides and some have sent out runners all over. I just rip the runners out by their roots. LOL.

You'll probably want a variety of spikey/leafy looks. If you google pond plants, you'll probably come up with pictures and descriptions so you can learn about them.

And if you're lucky and let it be known that you need some plants, you might find some in your mailbox some day from a forum member. We often exchange plants or send them out for postage. Look at our plant exchange subforum.

[greenthumbnails]

  I am new to ponding too.  I originally stocked my small pond/tub with plants that I bought online from online ponding retailers since I did not have any local nurseries near me that sold aquatic plants.  I later discovered this great site from a link mentioned by possibly another member answering questions on another site.  Since arriving here I have learned many a great thing about ponding and also discovered a  lot of members that offer their plants for sale , trade, or postage.  If you regularly stroll throught the plant exchange forum you can often pick up some great deals!  Or, if you don't want to wait and want some plants NOW go to my thread in the plant exchange forum called " general inquiry to lotus and water lily sellers".  There you will see the website links to some of the member sellers here who have websites for you to look at plants and buy if you so wish.  Hope you have fun, I sure did!

[Julles]

My pond tends to change every year.  At one time, I had a number of tall plants in it, and that was a mistake, because my pond is small and smack in the middle of my small yard.  The tall plants occluted the view from one end of the yard to the other, and made the whole area seem closed-in.  Now I only keep lower plants in the middle of the pond, or keep them trimmed when they get too tall.

The marginals and bog plants you put along the edges of your pond offer great variety.  Esther had a good point.  If you plan carefully, you can mix spiky tall plants to set off lower bushy plants.  You can also contrast leaf shape, as well as color.  There are yellow, blue, red, verigated, and all shades of green plants, and they can work effectively when you use one to show off the colors / leaf textures of another.

[lorraine1960]

welcome to our obsession !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nice to have you here.....lorraine

[RWinn]

thanks for the advice I have a couple lillies some hyacinth and some other thins but I dont remember what they are. If anyone has extras I would be willing to take them off of your hands

[Esther]

One thing to think about when placing your pond and landscaping around it is to think about what falls off that plant or tree, be it blossoms, leaves, or fruit. We have a maple tree a ways from our pond and up the road about 5 lots, there are a slew of oak trees. I swear, whenever the wind blows, it always blows the loose leaves into my pond. So if you accidently/intentionally plant a leaf, blossom, fruit dropping plant/tree near or overhanging your pond, you're just asking for a pain in the shoulder as you will be scooping and skimming to beat the band.

Oh and you have a good start on your pond. What is the size/depth etc?

[Julles]

You say you're a new ponder?!  That's a LOVELY pond!  Why, you have lilies and everything!  Nice job.

[landey1230]

Nice waterfall.

[perplexed ponder]

Oh it looks really nice! Love the little maple!
Lots of plant sales/trades here. I have always gotten great plants from everyone on this board.

[RWinn]

my pond is 9 foot by 13 foot and 3 foot deep with 1 shelf that is about 3 foot long and about 18 inches down. I have 2 gold fish 1 koi  2 black moors and some rosie reds

[mcp]

A big welcome to you ! For a first time pond you have done a wonderful job! Much better than my first attempt. Sure you will enjoy your self here .

[tweetybaby2005]

Chiming in late.  Just want to welcome you to the forum.  We have a lot of nice people here so feel free to ask questions.  I have asked many dumb questions before and always get at least 1 answer.   

I am new to this forum and ponding too.  Welcome and hang around.


Kuan