Non Aquatic Plants

Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
196
Reaction score
117
Location
Michigan
Hardiness Zone
6
Country
United States
I am getting ready to landscape around my pond. I had visions of tall flowers like hollyhocks, delphiniums, and lupine. Now I'm reading a lot of these seeds can be toxic to my fish. My pond is already next to a huge flower garden so I'm basically extending what I have around the pond area. Does anyone else have toxic flowers around their ponds? Should I be concerned?
 
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
3,307
Reaction score
7,267
Location
Rhode Island, USA
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6a
Country
United States
I have lupine and bleeding heart plants around the pond but never had a issue, plant them so seeds can't fall into the water. Mine are about 6ft away I guess from the pond edge. I really do not see a issue with many plants like this it all depends how much enters the pond, one seed, on berry etc is not a big issue.
 

Mmathis

TurtleMommy
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
13,893
Reaction score
8,087
Location
NW Louisiana -- zone 8b
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
I have Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) planted in my turtle-bog and some along the edge of the pond. This plant is considered toxic (the sap, primarily). Without thinking, I have swished leaves in the pond water that were heavily laden with oleander aphids (common pest for this plant) — so the fish could eat the aphids. The fish did fine — thank goodness! I agree, just don’t let seeds get into the pond.
 

Mmathis

TurtleMommy
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
13,893
Reaction score
8,087
Location
NW Louisiana -- zone 8b
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
I've seen "toxic plant" lists that include just about every plant you can name. I also have lots of them around my pond - never had an issue.
True! I get that when trying to choose plants for the turtle habitat since I try to plant turtle-friendly plants in case they want to graze on them. Basically, you have to look at what part of the plant is “toxic,” and what kind of toxicity does it have. Some animals (fish?) are adapted for eating these type plants. For example: box turtles can be considered “poisonous” for human consumption. Why? Because they eat poisonous mushrooms — harmless for them, but deadly for some animals. Tomato plants (stems & leaves) are toxic for box turtles, but they can eat the fruit (the tomatoes). Go figure!
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,340
Reaction score
29,092
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
I have plants that drop seeds everywhere pond, yard, bog. No issues from anything. The bog plants , btw, grow anywhere. The land plants grow in the bog. My yard/pond plants co mingle.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
30,783
Messages
508,599
Members
13,043
Latest member
cisifom

Latest Threads

Top