While gardens are traditionally meant to be enjoyed during the summer, there are many gardening jobs to do, not least around the garden pond. Summer is "prime time" for this and each of the main types of pond and aquatic plant requires some attention. In addition to summer planting and dividing pond lilies, this is the time to remove or reduce any other plants that are over-running the pond, including any types of weed that are not required.
Different types need lifting and dividing at different intervals, generally ranging from three to seven years. Some of the aquatics may have moved and need re-seating, and some may need the depth of their base in the water changing as they become more established in order to maintain them to best effect. Water that becomes cloudy after moving the aquatic plants will soon clear.
Bog Plants
Bog plants, ideally suited to marshy areas, thrive in damp soil or peat. Most bog plants are herbaceous perennials but can grow to a large size and may need smaller plants around them to hide the bog plant stalks from view. Primula rosea is a popular early-flowering small bog plant and larger primulas are very popular for their colour in larger varieties. Bog plants usually need lifting and dividing every three years, but should also be regularly checked to make sure they are not drying out. One way to overcome this is to add onto the pond liner beneath the marshy area and lay a tube or hose from the pond to ensure a flow of water into the required bog plant bed.
Floating Aquatic Plants
With their roots floating in the water, these plants provide shade in the water and by blocking sunlight help reduce algae levels in the pond. These are often planted in each of the first two seasons after a pond is built while the other plants establish themselves as the floating plants are not especially hardy and also move on the surface as they have no anchor. One of the most popular types is the water hyacinth, which can over-run if not kept in check.
Deep Water Aquatic Plants
With the same function as the floating aquatics, the deep water aquatics also absorb waste matter in the pond. The most popular type are water lilies, which should be lifted and divided during the early summer, in many cases in order to prevent them over-running the pond. The Arum Lily or Crowborough is an alternative to water lilies.
Marginal Plants
The plants around the margin of the pond can be in damp soil or the edge of the water depending on the plant variety. Depending on whether a dense margin or a sparse one was required, some re-arrangement may be required. Varieties of reed and irises are popular choices for summer planting in this category, and Iris Variegatus is one that changes colour from spring to midsummer when established.
Oxygenators
These plants are fully submerged with their flowers on or above the water surface, so that photosynthesis releases oxygen into the water and removes foul gases. Care is needed in selecting any of these as many types grow to the point of infestation. Even the less vigorous types such as the very common lagarisphon major, needs weeding regularly during the summer.
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