ejagno

Hi everyone;

I finally got my pond set back up. It's one of those large black heavy plastic ones about 4' wide x 6' long and about 24" deep. Pre-Rita it was installed inside my large deck but we constantly had problems with it being in the shade. This time I buried about 12" of the pond in the middle of my yard in full sun. Now, what plants would you recommend around it. I'm in Zone 8b-9. I have a planting area of about 3' all the way around the pond. Any and all help is appreciated.

SugaredViolet

Yellow flag and Siberian irises make great pond plants. You can find them expensively planted specifically for water, and sold as "pond plants" but really you can buy the regular ones in pots for the garden and use those, though I'd not use the soil they came in, it might have traces of fertilizer which would invite algae bloom and not be good for any fishy friends. My Grandpa has a pond garden, and he just divided his Siberian iris out of the regular garden. If you're doing your pond plants in pots - plain unscented clay cat litter makes a good potting media.

Also I think in your warm zone you might be able to try lotus! They need to be taken in during the winter here, so Grandpa lost his. But they're so pretty and a little more unusual than your regular water lilies

ejagno

Thanks SugaredViolet. I do plan on planting a few things IN the pond and those are terrific suggestions, but for now I'd like to focus on the area surrounding the pond, on the outside perimeter. This is the first thing you see when you walk out of my back french doors on a lined walkway of daylilies. From here I'd like to plant a beautiful scenery around it to hide the ugly black pond liner that is above ground. On the back side of the pond I hope to use some flagstone to create a natural waterfall into the pond. About 30' behind this to the right is a new sunjoy gazebo currently being erected. I hope to have a flagstone path from the pond to the new gazebo. My goal is to create something interesting and awe inspiring at every turn. I'm trying to create visual areas or walls so to speak so that you don't see the whole yard the minute you walk out the door. I'm currently installing beautiful redwood trellises to block the view of my water well with some sort of nice vines to grow upon. It's to the right of my gazebo so I've even contemplated growing my grapes on the trellis. I'm just not so sure that these cutsie trellises will be able to handle the weight and tough vines of grapes?

gbronner

Two of my favorite plants for around the edge of ponds are Dead Nettle and Walkers Low Catmint especially good in areas that receive sun. They are easy to grow and fill in quickly. A great idea for a little interest is a Japanese Maple off to the side by the waterfall to help give a little sun protection but to keep the whole area within the right size range. They do not grow real large and can be maintained to be light and airy looking giving some height some screening yet not be over bearing.

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