New pond

[grahamhobbs]

Just dug a pond on our allotment, approx 3m x 2m (max depth 2ft) and it is feed by a ditch, that flows with water when it rains. Can anyone recommend any good plants (or ones to avoid) either for in the pond or around the edge. So far all we have got is some yellow iris and a rhubarb plant.

[paul1979]

Well I had some Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' planted around to add cover for ikkle creatures. Things like Strawberry is good too, for the frogs to sit around in pondering lifes less important matters. As for in the pond, well world is your oyster and bob is your uncle...
Starwort & Hornwort (tadpoles can swim around this). And why not some Myosotis Scorpioides(Forget me not).

Water Lillies like Nymphaea alba are okay, maybe a touch big for your pond, cant picture the size and won't google as I am lazy. There is a dwarf variety or another native Frogbit which is smaller.

Danke,
Paul.

[Henwoman]

Primula denticulata - sort of candelabra primrose - in pinks and yellows - loves the damp earth, spreads easily and is very pretty. I have a gunnera manicata too, which also loves the damp and papyrus.

[Thomzo]

I have a corkscrew rush in mine. No idea what the proper name is but it grows in a spiral and looks fab in flower displays.

Zoe

[oldjerry]

Ifyou're not going native ,have a look at Gunnera Tinctora (not Manicata,that's the one with the big leaves this is smaller) and a really nice perrenial Lobellia(nothing like the bedding stuff) think it's called 'Queen Victoria'.
If you ARE going native,NHM website. BW.

[grahamhobbs]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look them up. I'm not worried about native or non-native too much, so long as they don't take over. I'll try some watercress in the 'ditch' part of the pond, but are there any other edibles for ponds or edges?

[Carltonian Man]

Brooklime grows well in the UK

[oldjerry]

Also,Graham ,check out 'bog planting',(RHS ,probably,but their website is crap),there was,maybe still is, a lady nr Truro hospital who specialised in rare Iris,maybe able to find her if your interested.BW.

[phil55494]

If the soil is acidic and you get enough sunshine then cranberries and blueberries should work.

[grahamhobbs]

Thanks everyone, great ideas