Concrete lined pond and plants - please advice to very newbie

[John Tired]

Hello, I work in a garden that has concrete lined pond. It does have a raised step level on some parts. The water is max approximately 2 foot, although the lining is higher, it does not stay higher.
I researched in books about plants in wire containers on bricks etc, but with the water level being low, it's not seeming practical.
I have got some plants in pots that are just under the water level - Water Lilies , Bog Bean, Iris and a few others I forget now, but I cant see it working as there is no room for root growth etc.
I have thought maybe to try to earth up in some parts along the step for the plants and hold down soil with rocks?
Is that a possibility?
I only have one old photo to attach now, but will take more next week (I work there part time) and post them up.
I don't use internet very much, not on the phone and not very good with it or phone etc.
Any advice would be appreciated.
By the way, I did not build the pond.
Thanks,
John Tired, Donegal, Ireland

 

[GBBUDD]

I myself would go long term plan.
It appears you pond has graduale sloped edges from what I can see. A couple options one would be to take a say 4 foot by 3 foot wide piece of non woven geotextile. / WEED BARRIOR AND SECURE IT TO THE outside of the pond. Preferable into the concrete. Drape it down into the water stuff it full of pea stone and fold back the corners making a pouch plants will be in the water moss will grow onto the fabric in time or you can help it other plants
can as well.
Or, if it is very graduale could you place stone onto the slope maybe glue the rocks to the base of the pond creating plant pockets. Mortar, fish safe caulking or even waterfall foam would be my choices