Basic HTML Version
12
MARGINAL AND
FLOATING LEAVED PLANTS
Most native marginal and floating-leaved
wetland plants are very robust. They can
be introduced to ponds at any time of
the year, and are usually best added as
small rooted plants pushed directly into the
sediment. Wetland plants spread rapidly,
so planting densities of 2-3 plants per
square metre will usually give good cover
within a year.
Submerged Plants
To successfully establish native submerged
pond plants, make sure that the pond has
good water quality, low in nutrients.
Care of Your Plants
Plants may need managing after the
first few years, especially species such as
bulrush and yellow flag, which, if allowed to
spread, will eventually dominate the pond.
Thinning plants or cutting off the seed
heads before they ripen will allow time
and space for other species to grow, and
prevent a lot of effort at a later stage.
Don’t get too carried away with plant
management and take out all your
plants, even if they are non native ones.
You should always leave some habitat
for amphibians and other pond animals,
even during the winter months. Any plants
removed should be carefully composted,
and neither plants or animals should ever
be released into the wild.
For more information on this visit the
‘Be Plant Wise Campaign’
(www.beplantwise.direct.gov.uk/index.html)
© Noel Moss Bourne Conservation Group
© Rod d’ Ayala