Marginal Plants

These are plants to grow on the marginal shelves or brick built islands. They add additional colour to a pond, the taller varieties will give height, particularly useful at the back of a pond, whilst the shorter ones can be effectively used to soften the pond edge.

Marginal plants should be planted in aquatic baskets. Allow one small basket per short marginal and a medium basket for each tall one. For each plant a depth measurement is given, this refers to the depth of water above the TOP of the basket, if necessary the basket can be stood on bricks to give the required depth.

Water Lilies

Water lilies, beside being the most beautiful water plants provide shade for fish and reduce the amount of light penetrating the surface, helping to keep down algae.

Water lilies should be planted in aquatic baskets lined with hessian. Clay soils are preferable and should be covered with pea gravel. Do not bury the crown of the lily. Place the basket on bricks in the pond so the leaves are just on the surface, as the lily grows during the season remove the bricks. Once on the bottom it can be left to produce leaves and flowers year after year.

Place water lilies at the opposite end of the pond to fountains and waterfalls as they do not like disturbed water.