Plant suggestions

[Chumley]

I hope I am not asking too much, but would appreciate some suggestions. We put in the attached reflection pond last season. No fish or extensive number of plants planned on. It has a flat bottom of stone with gravel seams between the flat bottom rocks. It is about two feet deep. Has a filter with UV, but not an ion generator or other filtration. Its intent is to offer a flat, reflective surface with no real motion intended. I want to add just a few plants to help with the algae control. If I were to add some irises (2-3) in front and against the tall boulder on the back side could they just be potted and sit on the floor two feet down? What variety? Will those few plants, the irises and two water lilies, be enough for algae control?

 

[Lisak1]

Gosh that's so peaceful! I love it!

I wouldn't add irises to the front - you'll block your view. Potted plants will help, but make sure they aren't too deep. Most marginal type plants want to be just underwater or even have the crown slightly above water. I've found this to be the case with irises - they will grow if they're deeper, but they probably won't bloom.

Since you have no fish you may even want to use an algaecide if needed - I'd be careful with it as you will likely have birds and other small animals visiting your pond, but in small doses it should be fine. Or my favorite product - sodium percarbonate. Perfectly safe, cheap and easy to use!

 

[Chumley]

Gosh that's so peaceful! I love it!

I wouldn't add irises to the front - you'll block your view. Potted plants will help, but make sure they aren't too deep. Most marginal type plants want to be just underwater or even have the crown slightly above water. I've found this to be the case with irises - they will grow if they're deeper, but they probably won't bloom.

Since you have no fish you may even want to use an algaecide if needed - I'd be careful with it as you will likely have birds and other small animals visiting your pond, but in small doses it should be fine. Or my favorite product - sodium percarbonate. Perfectly safe, cheap and easy to use!

Thanks a bunch, you have always been helpfu.

 

[Chumley]

I think I will just try one Irish in a pot sitting on top of an upside down bigger pot., right against that big boulder in the back. In the front, at one side of the drip stone I think I will add one creeping Jenny in a terra cotta saucer.

 

[Hound Heaven]

I hope I am not asking too much, but would appreciate some suggestions. We put in the attached reflection pond last season. No fish or extensive number of plants planned on. It has a flat bottom of stone with gravel seams between the flat bottom rocks. It is about two feet deep. Has a filter with UV, but not an ion generator or other filtration. Its intent is to offer a flat, reflective surface with no real motion intended. I want to add just a few plants to help with the algae control. If I were to add some irises (2-3) in front and against the tall boulder on the back side could they just be potted and sit on the floor two feet down? What variety? Will those few plants, the irises and two water lilies, be enough for algae control?
View attachment 167889

That's lovely. Maybe some hostas? They come in so many sizes and variations. Or maybe a salvia? I had one called Black and Bloom last year that attracted lots of pollinators and bloomed continually. It hasn't reemerged yet this year, but I'm hopeful

 

[Lisak1]

Is that salvia a perennial in TN? I grow those every year in pots, but they're annual here. I know they will occasionally overwinter for some folks, but it's rare.

 

[Hound Heaven]

Is that salvia a perennial in TN? I grow those every year in pots, but they're annual here. I know they will occasionally overwinter for some folks, but it's rare.

May have been wishful thinking on my part that it was.

 

[Lisak1]

I love them - they come in lots of gorgeous colors, bloom all summer and are hummjngbird magnets!

 

[Hound Heaven]

I love them - they come in lots of gorgeous colors, bloom all summer and are hummjngbird magnets!

Boy that's the truth! Bees, hummers are all over it and the colors are just so great.

 

[Chumley]

Gosh that's so peaceful! I love it!

I wouldn't add irises to the front - you'll block your view. Potted plants will help, but make sure they aren't too deep. Most marginal type plants want to be just underwater or even have the crown slightly above water. I've found this to be the case with irises - they will grow if they're deeper, but they probably won't bloom.

Since you have no fish you may even want to use an algaecide if needed - I'd be careful with it as you will likely have birds and other small animals visiting your pond, but in small doses it should be fine. Or my favorite product - sodium percarbonate. Perfectly safe, cheap and easy to use!

Thanks,mean you suggest a particular sodium percarbon ate brand and dosage?

 

[Lisak1]

Not one brand, no. It's all the same as it's a chemical compound. Just make sure it's 100% sodium percarbonate, not a product CONTAINING sodium percarbonate. Dosage? No clue - I use three or four cups in my 4000 gallon pond/bog/rain exchange system. Never really measure - just sprinkle until I'm content.

 

[Chumley]

Sounds good, ordered from Amazon, just waiting for it.

 

[sissy]

Sweet potato plants grow great . I have the dark ones and the green leaf =nes . Hostas are also easy to grow and come inseveral colors . I bought seeds on line for the pink and purple hostas , will see what happens with them. My sister bought hers 2 months ago and they look great . I took her over some fish waste water from my pond 3 weeks ago and they are doing even better now

 

[GBBUDD]

Not one brand, no. It's all the same as it's a chemical compound. Just make sure it's 100% sodium percarbonate, not a product CONTAINING sodium percarbonate. Dosage? No clue - I use three or four cups in my 4000 gallon pond/bog/rain exchange system. Never really measure - just sprinkle until I'm content.

i think i bought 10 pounds and i used like 5 pounds as i have a large pond particularly in distance. there wasn't a lot of algae to fight i was more interested in the milk and crannies {why does this expression make sense yet not an ounce of common sense} trying to get anything that had settled there to float to the surface. While i did have a fair amount surface it was all really small stuff but debris is debris at any size. i guess my vacuuming of the pond got most of it but the area below the negative edge now that got a heavy dose. after all thats like my skimmer but it only drops into the baseball sized rocks. there i did get some results so instead of playing with it i drained it out and refilled it a couple times . it does look pretty good now.​