What to Plant in a Water Garden

If you are looking to create a quiet environment in your backyard, a water garden is what you need! This type of garden, also known as a water garden, is often composed of ponds, waterfalls, fountains, but above all, of many plants. When planning the design of your water garden, you will need to make the right choice of plants in order to be able to provide the care and maintenance they require. 

Discover in this article how to improve your water garden and which plants you should prioritize to plant! 

What Is a Water Garden? 

A water garden is a landscaping design that brings a calm atmosphere to your backyard. There are simple and more elaborate versions. You can probably find a style that will match the rest of your landscape. With many plants and sometimes fish, the water garden is all about reproducing an ecosystem right in your backyard! So, once your water garden is incorporated into your outdoor design, you are ready to add vegetation to your water area.

Plants to Add to Your Water Garden

Plants are essential to the creation of a water garden to reproduce a natural environment. They are numerous and varied, and contribute both aesthetically and functionally. In addition to creating an ecological balance, aquatic plants provide a link between the water garden and the rest of the garden. That said, a few rules must be respected when adding plants to ensure a sustainable aquatic life.

For example, we suggest that ponds contain plants from all four aquatic flora groups and respect the recommended proportions. The presence of each group creates a balanced environment. So, it’s important to think about which plants you want, at what depth and at what density they should be planted. 

The important thing is to devote a third of the water surface to plants and leave the rest free.

Floating Plants

Floating plants are not anchored to the bottom of the pond: they float freely on the surface of the water. This type of plant provides shade, which regulates the water temperature and contributes to its purification. However, the recommended ratio is two plants per 1.5 m². 

Moreover, floating plants are both freshwater and marine plants. So, no matter what type of water your pond contains, these plants will be able to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. An example of a floating plant often found in water gardens is the water hyacinth, a tropical plant known for its small purple flowers.

Oxygenating Plants

This type of plant is essential to keep the pond alive. Completely submerged, oxygenating plants, such as Elodea and hippuris vulgaris, contribute greatly to the water’s balance and clarity, in addition to being decorative. Since they grow underwater, they take root in the soil and sometimes become invasive. They therefore require regular maintenance to eliminate some of them. This is why it is recommended to have a maximum of four per m².

Emergent Plants 

Emergent plants are used to purify the water of your pond. Their ratio is therefore variable, depending on the needs of the pond. While the roots are planted in the ground or in a pot, the leaves and flowers live outside the water, giving structure and relief to your water garden. 

The water lily is a very popular emergent plant, as it blooms throughout the summer and provides a beautiful aesthetic effect.

Floating Leaves

Also known as water lilies, floating leaves are rooted in the ground at the edge of the pond or sometimes placed in containers in the water. Like floating plants, the leaves of water lilies float on the surface of the water, creating a shade appreciated by the fish. As for the ratio, we suggest about one per 2 m².

How to Maintain Your Water Garden?

While some plants require more attention than others, it’s important to know how to maintain the plants in your garden. Emergent plants, for example, require fertilizer, while floating plants are easily maintained and do not need to be fertilized. 

In the summer, make sure that the water level remains stable, especially to avoid interfering with the blooming of the water lilies. In addition, to preserve the biological balance and avoid the propagation of certain plants, never empty your pond: make up for the lack of water due to evaporation by filling it up every week. Some exotic plants can be invasive due to the lack of competition in the habitat, so it is important to dedicate a lot of maintenance to the pond, especially when some plants have to be removed.

Finally, don’t forget to clean the pump filter regularly. By following these tips, you will end up with a balanced water garden that will impress your guests!

You are now fully equipped to know what to plant in your water garden! With the four groups of aquatic flora in your water feature, you are assured of a balanced garden you can’t live without!

Find out how a landscape architect can work with you to create your dream water garden.