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You have created a water garden in your yard; you can envision the green inviting plants that blend so graciously with the water and rocks. A feeling of country in the city, that takes you with it as it gurgles, and spills bubbling over the rocks with sounds of pure relaxation and joy! Now is the time to make that vision a fact, and plant the water garden plants that your little piece of Paradise requires.
Wait until spring to begin planting, the weather should then be warm enough. The plants can be planted in the mud at the bottom of the pool however container grown plants are much easier to handle, can be positioned at will, and can allow for cleaning of the area with their mobility. The soil should be garden topsoil not compost, peat moss, or dry manure. Mix aquatic plant fertilizer with the garden loam.
First, add under water grasses, these are oxygenating plants; plant several of these grasses. Use shallow containers or pots, fill with soil add a bit of sand to the top push the grass roots about 1/3 of the way into the soil.
Water lilies should be planted at one only per each 20-inch pot. The small Pygmy varieties can be planted in 8-inch containers. If the climate in your area is harsh in winter, bring the pots in to winter indoors. Tropical water lilies are considered annuals and will need to be re-planted each year. They should be planted only when the weather is very warm.
Lotus tends to take over, however it can be planted on moist banks. Some edibles are water chestnut, watercress, and herbs such as sorrel Natal plum, banana, and citrus can be added.
Fish can be added at one per 2-sq. ft. of pond surface. After purchasing the fish, rest the whole bag in the water to warm to the pool temperature before releasing the fish. Feed every 2-3 days follow instructions.
You may want frogs, toads, snails, or turtles, and they may be come to your enticing pool uninvited. These can be purchased also.
A few of many, water plants.
Water lilies, choice of many colors, and sizes. Best-rooted in containers placed on floor of pool. Bloom all season and some are fragrant.
Hostas, good for shady edges, come in good assortment of sizes, and colors. You have the choice of several foliage patterns. A few have spikes of flowers that are fragrant.
Sword fern, this is in a large family of ferns that loves wet banks and full sun to partial shade. This one is easy to grow. Spreads by spores, or it may be divided.
Siberian iris planted on edges, and blossom profusely with white blue or purple flowers. Sword like leaves up to 4-ft. tall, grow in full sun or partial shade.
No more than half of your pool¡¦s surface should be covered by plants to conserve the oxygen. When growth is profuse, thin out the plants.
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