Whether it is a pond, a lake, a basin or a simple fountain, vegetation is always welcome. But what to plant in these wet soils or near the banks? By small touches or by playing on the exuberance of certain spectacular plants, you can make your water features look great!
We propose you a list of 10 plants to put around, or in your lake!
Contents
10 plants to be used at the edge of a lake
1. Water lily
The STAR of the pool! You can order some by clicking here. The water lily is really a “must-have” in your pond. With its beautiful flowers, the water lily is the most important source of color in the pond. And with its many leaves, it is appreciated by many small animals, also by your fish.
2. Marsh Iris
With its beautiful flowers and leaves of an unequalled green, the iris has a clear place in your pond! Moreover, it is known for its super filtering virtue of water… There is no reason to do without it.
3. Typha
More known under the name of sledgehammer or reed, the typha is a plant which one very generally finds in the natural ponds. It is appreciated for its large size and its massive side. It is a plant which requires attention because considered rather invasive, do not hesitate to prune it well from time to time.
4. Caltha
A border bed that offers magnificent small yellow flowers at the beginning of the season, nothing better to start your aquatic year well! We love it because it is perfect wherever the ground is wet and in any light situation. In short, an easy and very pretty plant.
5. Pontederia
Our team’s REAL favorite! It is a plant that we propose to a lot of people because in addition to being magnificent by its slender foliage and its beautiful original purple flowers, the pontederia is perennial and holds the winter if its foot is frost-free. A plant that will be a delight in modern ponds. It is suggested to you with your eyes closed.
6. Houttuynia
This perennial plant is an excellent ground cover for the edges of your water room. The leaves are stained of yellow and red and small ears of yellow flowers appear in summer. It is a little forgotten in spring but what a nice surprise effect in summer! Note that if the winter is hard, it may not come back.
7. Mentha Aquatica
A pretty plant with purple flowers that we like very much because it brings scent around your pond. Very invasive, think of planting it in a pot in order to control it a minimum. A fragrant plant which will resist the worst conditions.
8. Equisetum Japonicum
More commonly known as Japanese horsetail, it is a perfect plant to make a rather graphic bed. Many people having a pond with Japanese spirit seek this plant because it finds its place there wonderfully! This plant is persistent and remains green also all winter long.
9. Orontium aquaticum
Here is a very original and really superb aquatic plant… and yet so little known. With its yellow flowers resembling lit candles, its slightly bluish leaves, it will be able to surprise and dazzle you! Attention all the same in winter, it is advised to protect the rhizomes.
10. Ceratophyllum demersum
Here is finally a typically oxygenating plant. The ceratophyllum is very appreciated by the fishes to hide there and for the period of the spawning. We, we appreciate it for its ease of plantation because it is enough to ballast it with a small stone and to drop it at the bottom. This plant can quickly become invasive, do not be afraid to remove the surplus.
Oxygenating plants for a lake
Oxygenating plants are essential to provide … oxygen through photosynthesis.
This oxygen is necessary for the small fauna that lives there and does not return to the surface to breathe but also and especially for bacteria!
It may seem surprising but the bacteria in the water are useful: they break down organic waste so that it can be assimilated in mineral form by plants. By nourishing plants, they therefore limit the accumulation of organic matter and thus help to limit silting and make the water clearer. But to do this, they need oxygen.
In addition, oxygenating plants often show significant growth, which is perfect to compete effectively with algae.
Finally, these plants also provide shelter, egg-laying support and even food for certain animals that populate the lake or basin.
Note that it is important to diversify oxygenating plants because they do not generally produce oxygen all year round. Some will be active in the spring, others later in the season… but the lake or waterhole needs them all year round.
We will use :
- Hippuris vulgaris: Plants both oxygenating and decorative. The fishes like to spawn in it. They form pretty small fir trees out of water. They trace under water. Easy plant. We can put it in closed pot rather than in basket if we want it to trace less.
- The myriophyllum aquaticum or brasiliae: Plant very good oxygen producer. But attention in large spaces because it becomes difficult to contain. The fauna appreciates it for spawning and hiding.
- Potamogeton natans: Very good oxygenating vigorous and decorative with its brown leaves floating on the surface of the water. Grows quickly.
- Elodea canadensis: Excellent oxygenator and purifier. But be careful in large lakes or pools as it is vigorous and takes root in the mud. Fish love to hide and spawn in it.
Summary
You are going to set up a water basin in your garden. Many questions arise then. Which plants to choose? What are the essential aquatic plants to install in your lake?
In this article, we give you several tips, to arrange your lake correctly.
