Trains.com

Pond plants

2786 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
  • 593 posts
Posted by smcgill on Thursday, August 3, 2017 9:21 AM

Thanks That is very helpfull !

Mischief

nan
  • Member since
    August 2009
  • 8 posts
Posted by nan on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 11:21 AM

My book, Miniature Garden Guidebook, has a whole chapter on good pond plants for garden railways. Mass. is mostly Zone 5 and 6 (7 on coast). 

 

  Floating plants without soil or pots    
  Water fern, fairy moss Azolla caroliniana Tiny, floating "ferns"  7~10
* Duckweed Lemna minor Smallest floating plants 6~10
  American frogbit Limnobium spongia Flloating, spreading rapidly* 7~10
  Mosaic plant Ludwigia sedioides Flloating tiny green diamonds* 9~10
* Watercress Nasturtium officinale, N. microphyllum Shade ok, oxygenating, edible* 4~11
  Potted plants below water level    
* Sessile joyweed Alternanthera sessilis Spreading, brilliant majenta leaves* 9~11
* Marsh marigold, Kingcup Caltha palustris bright yellow cups on 12" plants 3~11
* Dwarf umbrella palm Cyperus alternifolius 'Gracilis' 2-foot high palm-like clumps 7~11
* Dwarf papyrus Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut,' or C. p. 'Nanus' 18-inch high "palms," some shade ok 9~11
* Chamaeleon plant Houttuynia cordata 'Variegata' Colorful leaves, plant in shallow water 5~10
* Corkscrew rush Juncus effusus spiralis, J. spiralis 'Curly Wurly' Green, wiry corkscrews, shade ok 4~10
  Water clover Marsilea minuta,  M. quadrifolia Floating four-leaf clover leaves 6~11
* Forget-me-not Myosotis scirpioides Tiny, baby-blue or pink flowers in spring* 3~10
* Dwarf parrot's feather Myriophyllum brasiliensis var. 'Minima' Oxygenating, spreading, feathery* 6~10
* Little floating heart Nymphoides peltata, N. cordata Mini lily pads, small yellow flowers* 5~10
* Bald cypress Taxodium distichum Woody, deciduous conifer tree to 70' 4~10
  Pond cypress Taxodium ascendens Slow growing, deciduous conifer to 70' 4~11
* Dwarf cattail Typha minima Tiny cattails, one-foot grassy leaves 4~9
  Marginal and bog plants in moist soil    
  Dwarf variegated sweet flag Acorus gramineus 'Pusillus Minimus Aureus' Shade ok, 4-inch yellow Iris-like leaves 5~11
* Bugleweed Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip' Some shade ok, bog ok 3~9
  Dwarf elephant ear Colocasia fallax 'Silver Dollar' 4-6-inch showy leaves like shade 7~10
* False heather Cuphea hyssopifolia Blooming trees along banks 9~11
* Stargrass Dichromena colorata Some shade ok, top of soil out of water 7~10
* Dwarf scouring rush, horsetail Equisetum scirpoides Non-invasive, in-scale rushes 4~10
* Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' Mat forming, yellow flowers 4~8
* Hosta Hosta sp. Stemless, heart-shaped, shade lovers 3~9
* Fiber optic grass Scirpus cernuus, syn. Isolepis cernua Thread-like leaves, poisonous to eat 8~10
  *invasive and restricted in some states    
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 3:27 PM

Sean

Sorry, but I have to ask, Is the duck real? If it is a live one that is a MAJOR sign of a healthy pond. My avian visitors are more interested in snacking on my Koi.

As for your question, my experience is limited to San Diego, so what grows well for me probably will not do well in your area. In my area (hour and half drive) are several nurseries that have large pond displays and supplies. There are several moss like plants available to us that cling to the rocks drooping into the water. The ones available on the west coast are RAPID growers and require a 60% trim job every fall. My water Hyacinth fills a 90 gallon green waste can three times a year. I know this is going to sound lame, but I would Google search for pond supply store within a hundred miles. Check their web sites for plant listings for the pond. If something should strike your eye, go have a look. Also check to see if there are any garden pond clubs in the area. If so, these will be the folks to ask. They might even let you in for a look. My late wife went to one for a look and came home with several free clippings.

I would be interested in what your selection will be.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
  • 593 posts
Pond plants
Posted by smcgill on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 11:29 AM

I have a large pond.

I'm happy with this one.

Now I have a smaller one and I need idea's for plant to plant around this one.

^^^ there on the left were the green chicken wire is. I was hoping to fing some thing that would like to hang in the water.

Thanks Sean

Mischief

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy