New pond owner here

[DigitalDave]

This is the start of my second year as a pond owner … last summer I gave a high school kid a job to build me a pond in the corner of my yard (first mistake) and actually made a lot of design and construction mistakes but by the fall we had a functioning pond of 2000 gallons with a dozen goldfish, a waterfall, a few plants, aeration system, pump and filter - sort off. Then closed it for our Canadian winter of down to -20F or lower. We kept the aeration going and added a small heater. A couple of weeks ago I opened the pond (removed the mesh cover, fired up the pump and waterfall etc) and to my surprise all the fish were moving around and two frogs found a new home!
But I do have a question - what about plants? my wife wants a water lily and some greenery would look nice - I do have a few iris of some type already growing, but any recommendations on plants would be helpful. Many thanks,

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum!

Look up plants you can get there. Parrots feather, water willow....

 

[SarahT]

Welcome! Nice looking pond and great job at keeping the goldfish going over the winter.
You can get a water lily (they like sun), and if it's a tropical variety, either treat it as an annual or winter it over in your basement. Experiment and have fun.

 

[j.w]

@DigitalDave
Some in Canada put covers over their ponds. Check out @callingcolleen1 's pond in Canada.

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/my-pond-runs-all-winter-zone-2-3.10570/

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/ponds-in-canada.9124/

 

[JRS]

Welcome!