Under natural conditions, the plant lives in water bodies of Southeast Asia. This is a good substrate for fish spawning. Its root system is slightly developed, the roots are white, thread-like, the leaves are light green. The plant is very unpretentious, it can develop as a floating one, without rooting. Hygrophila prefers a water temperature of about 27 "C and soil from a mixture of peat, leaf soil, sand and clay. It does not require lighting. It is propagated by cuttings and ground shoots.

Guiana hygrophila (Hygrophila guianensis) with narrow-lanceolate green leaves, which blooms with large white flowers when the shoot reaches the surface, and willow hygrophila (Hygrophila salicifolia), with leaves shaped like willow leaves, are also cultivated in the aquarium. The growing conditions for all hygrophiles are similar.

PISTIA LAYERED, water lettuce (Pjstia stratiotes). The aroid family is widespread in tropical and subtropical waters. A perennial herbaceous plant forming a rosette of leaves floating on the surface of the water. It has a well-developed root system, consisting of many long white roots, reaching a length of 20 cm. The leaves have a blunt wedge-shaped shape, long - up to 25 cm and wide. They have a spongy structure with cavities filled with air, thanks to which the plant floats on the surface of the water.

Pistia roots serve as a substrate for fish spawning and a refuge for their fry. It grows well in water of any composition at a temperature of 23 - 27 "C in summer and about 22 C in winter. The aquarium with pistia should be under glass and well lit from above. Under good conditions, it blooms in summer. The inflorescence is a green cover and a small ear.

(Shinnersia rivularis). Under natural conditions, it lives in small rocky rivers in Mexico. A very unpretentious plant, it can be planted in the ground, to which it is undemanding, or left floating. When growing a floating form, the leaves of trichocornis become smaller. Can grow in hard and alkaline water. It has a well-developed fibrous root system. Green carved leaves vary greatly in shape and size depending on conditions.

Lighting required is moderate to bright. In a low aquarium, the branches of the plant, having reached the surface, come out of the water, so their tops must be pinched. It reproduces by basal or lateral shoots from leaf buds.

(Heteranthera zosteraefolia). A floating plant with a poorly developed root system, thin white roots and pale green or green leaves up to 7 cm long. Distributed in slow-moving and stagnant bodies of water in tropical Africa. Prefers clay soil and soft water with temperatures above 20°C, as well as bright, diffused light.

The plant develops better with low water levels. Propagated by stem and root cuttings. Heteranthera callifolia with blunt-pointed leaves and Heteranthera regiformis with denser heart-shaped leaves are also cultivated in aquariums.

(Salvinia auriculata). Homeland - Central America. This very picturesque aquatic fern is a horizontal underwater stem with two rows of oval green leaves located above the water and one row of brown leaves, dissected into many long linear leaves and densely covered with hairs growing under water.

Underwater leaves perform the function of roots - they nourish the plant. Salvinia grows well in aquariums with clean, soft water and bright sunlight. The above-water part is very demanding on air humidity, so the aquarium must be covered with glass. REPRODUCES by spores that germinate in water.

(Vallisneria spiralis). Family Aquaticaceae. Homeland - Southern Europe. An inhabitant of shallow freshwater bodies, with a short stem and bright green ribbon-like leaves growing upward. In adult plants in summer, a tubular flower on a spiral peduncle appears above the water. This is a female specimen, it is fertilized by pollen from male plants, which floats to the surface of the water. The seeds ripen in water.

The most suitable soil is silt, but it also grows well in sand. Vallisneria is propagated by layering that appears on the stem and by seeds.

ROTALA INDIAN(Rotala indica). Homeland - tropical Asia. An unpretentious plant with a long stem, on which leaves of different shapes are located oppositely: underwater - lanceolate, bright green in color and above water - oval, the underside of the leaf is red. The rhizome is creeping, with white adventitious roots and a large number of leaf buds. It develops well in water of any composition, at a temperature not lower than 20°C.

When the shoot reaches the surface of the water, it is pinched for more luxuriant branching. Due to insufficient light, the leaves become smaller and lose their red color. Propagated by stem branches and basal shoots.

(Utricularia gibba). This inhabitant of tropical and subtropical waters is a perennial carnivorous herb. It grows in water of any composition with overhead lighting. It has no roots, and the plant floats freely at the surface. Narrow small leaves with bubbles are located on thin green stems.

Bladderwort catches prey using bubbles, which also help the plant stay near the surface. The plant is not at all dangerous even for the smallest fry. The plant releases a lot of oxygen, helps purify water and serves as a refuge for fry.

(Dioneae). Sundew family. Homeland - North and South Carolina. A perennial rhizomatous aquatic plant that lives in sphagnum bogs. The leaves are collected in rosettes, covered with trapping glandular hairs and bristles; insectivorous plant. It blooms in paniculate inflorescences with white flowers. The plant is propagated by seeds in moist peat.

Seeds germinate slowly, taking several months. Seedlings also grow slowly. Grown plants are planted in pots with loose peat soil mixed with sphagnum moss and installed in a terrarium or aquarium.

(Elodea denza). Family Aquaticaceae. Homeland - South America. A beautiful branching aquatic plant with long stems that grows well in indoor aquariums.

Green linear leaves are collected 4 in a whorl. It grows continuously and is propagated by pieces of stem planted under water. Not demanding on soil. Lighting can be bright or moderate.

(Myriophyllum)Homeland - North America. Translated from Greek, myriophyllum means “many leaves” (“myrios” - countless and “phyllon” - leaf). Cirrus leaves have forked leaves, divided into many thread-like segments. These are very picturesque plants living in water. On their bright green, multi-branched shoots there are countless thin, delicately cut dark green leaves.

Cirrus thrives in sandy soil, soft water with a temperature of about 27 "C and bright, diffused light. Their unpretentiousness and rapid growth have made cirrus one of the main plants for decorative aquariums and an excellent substrate for fish spawning. All plants have similar maintenance and breeding conditions .

REPRODUCED by cuttings. Brazilian pinnate (Myriophyllum brasiliense) is common in Brazil. It has a fibrous root system and thin roots. At a water temperature of 25 - 27 "C and bright diffuse lighting, it develops quickly.

When reaching the surface, the shoot is pinched for more luxuriant branching. A mixture of peat, leaf soil and sand is suitable as a soil. The plant does not tolerate hard salted water.

Propagated by root shoots and cuttings, which take root at a low water level in clean river sand.

Peristolnstnnk matogrossensis (Myriophylum mattogrossensis) is common in Brazil. This plant is a good substrate for spawning and an excellent refuge for fry. Repeatedly dissected leaves help purify water and actively saturate it with oxygen.

(Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae family. Homeland - tropical and subtropical regions of Central and North America. A perennial aquatic plant with graceful, dissected green leaves that are submerged and whole floating leaves that float on the surface of the water. The root system is poorly developed, the roots are thin.

The stems can reach a length of 1.5 m. It blooms underwater with yellow flowers. In an aquarium they are planted in bushes and placed in the middle ground in a group or in the background as a background. It is necessary to pinch the shoots so that the plant branches better. Cabomba develops well at a water temperature of 20-25 "C and moderate lighting. It is propagated by stem cuttings and root shoots in clean river sand. Varieties of this rather unpretentious plant are often cultivated in aquariums.

Cabomba aquatica grows in stagnant, slow-flowing ponds in South America. The slightly branched stem reaches a length of 2 m. Propagated by stem cuttings.

Gardner's cabomba (Cabomba piauhyensis gardner) grows in water bodies of South America and India. A very beautiful plant with leaves of different shades of green and reddish.

Warming cabomba (Cabomba warmingii), distributed in the waters of southern Brazil, has thin fan-shaped leaves. Also popular are Carolina cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) and southern cabomba (Cabomba australis).

Family Chastuchaidae. Homeland - southern regions of North America. In Latin, sagitta means “arrow,” hence the Russian name. This is a beautiful, very graceful plant with a short tuberous rhizome. The dark green leaves growing in water are pointed at the ends, and the above-water leaves, sitting on long petioles, have a lanceolate shape. Arrowhead is undemanding in terms of keeping conditions and can grow in an aquarium for years without the formation of above-water leaves.

It develops well in sandy soil at a water temperature of 25-27 "C, but can withstand its reduction to 16 C. Lighting is required strong or medium (about 10 hours a day). With long-term sunny, but diffused - without direct rays, lighting can bloom. White flowers are collected in inflorescences that rise above the water.In order for arrowhead to live long in the aquarium, it is recommended to grow only underwater leaves, and remove above-water leaves and flowers in a timely manner.

Arrowhead includes several dozen species growing along the banks of water bodies. Cultivation of many species in an aquarium is difficult due to the tendency of plants to form emergent leaves. Despite this, about 10 varieties of arrowhead are used in aquariums. Conditions for keeping and breeding are similar for all types of arrowhead. REPRODUCED by seeds and ground shoots that develop in spring.

(Limnophila aquatica). Distributed in tropical regions of Southeast Asia. A very picturesque, vigorously growing aquarium plant that perfectly purifies water. Limnophila prefers clean, well-lit aquariums, as well as medium-hard water with a temperature of about 30 °C.

Upon reaching the surface, the plant forms emergent shoots with dense, feathery leaves. The stem is pinched to the first underwater bud, and the top can be planted in a free space like a regular cutting. Propagated by dividing basal shoots or dividing the stem. Limnophila sessile flowering (Limnophila sessilj ilora) is cultivated in aquariums and is common in standing and slow-flowing water bodies of Southeast Asia and Africa.

It has a powerful root system with thin thread-like roots. It develops well in moderate light in water of low and medium hardness at a temperature of about 25 "C. Limnophila is an excellent refuge for fry, it very actively saturates the water in the aquarium with oxygen. It is propagated by cuttings. The plant dies quickly under poor conditions.

(Ludwigia) Fireweed family. Homeland - North and South America. An unpretentious marsh plant, it grows well in an aquarium in moderate to strong light, and is unpretentious to temperature changes. Ludwigia arcuata requires water temperatures up to 28 "C, develops well in medium light. It grows as a bush and produces a large number of root shoots.

Propagated by division of the stem or root shoots. Swamp Ludwigia (Ludwigia palustris) is common in southern Europe. A very unpretentious, but not very decorative plant, it develops at any water temperature and not very high illumination of the aquarium. It grows as a bush and reproduces by dividing the stem or by lateral shoots.

Red-leafed Ludwigia (Ludwigia natans) is a hybrid form, an unpretentious perennial flowering plant. The root system consists of one root lobe. It grows as a bush with many shoots. Propagated by stem cuttings. Ludwigia redleaf develops well at a water temperature of about 28 "C and bright light. In low light and low temperatures, the leaves become smaller and the red tint disappears on their lower part.

(Eichornia crassipes). Family Pontederiaceae. Homeland - tropical and subtropical regions of America. This plant is also called “water hyacinth”. One of the most beautiful floating, but capricious plants. It is grown in rooms. Perennial herbaceous plants are rhizomatous, the root system is highly developed, fibrous, dark. The roots are ciliated, fragile, and serve as a refuge for the fry. The underwater stem reaches the surface of the water.

Underwater floating leaves have a linear shape, while submerged leaves have an oval shape. Under favorable conditions it blooms in June - September. Blue, pink, lilac or violet flowers, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, reach 5 cm in diameter. The plant is warm and light-loving. The water should be soft, and its temperature should not be lower than 22 "C, preferably up to 29" C. The lighting should be bright; in summer, some sunlight is required.

The plant grows and develops well in muddy soil. The aquarium where water hyacinth grows cannot be covered with glass. Under good conditions, Eichornia forms many shoots and quickly reproduces by rosettes.

A decorative pond is often associated with a decorated shoreline and water lilies, although in fact there are a huge variety of plants that can decorate and complement the surface of the water. Moreover, if you correctly select the “inhabitants” of a decorative pond, then the pond can become the highlight of a summer cottage, which does not require constant maintenance.

Oxygenating plants (underwater)

Almost all oxygenating plants do not perform decorative functions, but at the same time they are the most important “residents” of the reservoir. After all, it is thanks to these plants that a decorative pond can remain clean and well-groomed without additional effort.

Often the leaves, flowers and stems of these plants are underwater and only occasionally appear on the surface, which is why they are often called underwater. The purpose of the “underwater rescuers” is to absorb carbon dioxide and normalize the oxygen balance in their habitat.

The most popular representatives of oxygen generators:

• Autumn swamp

Autumn marshweed is a perennial herbaceous plant that is partially or entirely submerged in water, with only small light green leaves visible above the surface. The swampweed propagates in spring or summer using cuttings.

• Uru spica

Uru spica is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant with thin branching stems of reddish or brown color. Urut reproduces very quickly and is capable of displacing other plants, forming dense clusters.

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• Hornwort dark green

Dark green hornwort is a long-stemmed plant with needle-like green leaves and a reddish stem. Hornwort grows very quickly and is very unpretentious. Propagated by simply dividing the stem, just take a very small piece.

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Plants floating on the surface

A characteristic feature of floating plants is the leaves and stems that are on the surface of the water. These plants are an indispensable protection from the sun; they prevent the development of blue-green algae and help create a stable temperature regime in a decorative pond.

In addition to “rescue” functions, plants living on the surface perform decorative functions. As a rule, these plants have beautiful wide leaves and bright, showy flowers.

The most popular representatives of these species:

• Azolla

Azolla is a beautiful aquatic plant of the genus of floating ferns. Its small paired leaves float on the surface of the water, forming large colonies, which in the warm season can grow to significant sizes in just a few weeks.

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• Watercolor

Vodokras is a perennial plant with creeping stems and medium-sized white flowers. Sand or fine silted gravel 4-5 cm thick is suitable as a soil for watercolor. This perennial is propagated by planting seeds and cuttings of rhizomes. It is recommended to plant it in an unshaded place or in partial shade.

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• water chestnut

Water chestnut or chilim is a rather rare annual aquatic plant today, listed in the Red Book. Propagation and planting are very simple - just throw chilim nuts into the required place with a suitable depth. If there is not enough fertile soil in the reservoir, then the nuts are planted in containers and then heated. An important condition for the existence of an aquatic plant is the absence of large mollusks that eat the leaves of the rogulnik.

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• Wolfia

Wolfia is one of the smallest flowering plants, characterized by green elliptical formations (no more than 1 mm in diameter). This small plant requires good lighting, but at the same time it must be protected from direct sunlight. Wolfia is not picky about temperature and water hardness, but does need a little water movement.

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• Duckweed

Duckweed, along with reeds, is one of the most common aquatic plants. Duckweed looks like a cluster of small leaves floating on the surface of the water. Duckweed lives in well-lit standing or slowly flowing water bodies. The only maintenance that should be emphasized is the periodic catching of part of the duckweed population, since it grows very quickly. Duckweed reproduces vegetatively and, as mentioned above, very quickly.

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• Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a flowering aquatic plant, distinguished by large oval-shaped leaves and large inflorescences slightly similar to the flowers of garden hyacinth. Water hyacinth prefers bodies of water with good lighting and high water temperatures due to its tropical origin. Under good living conditions, it can reproduce so quickly that it begins to displace other plants from the reservoir, leaving them without oxygen.

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Deep sea plants

Most of these plants do well when planted to a depth of 2 meters. The best option for cultivating deep-sea plants is to plant them in special containers that are placed at the bottom of the reservoir. When choosing suitable flowers, you should take into account the frost resistance of the plant; this or that flower will be able to overwinter in a decorative pond.

• Lotus

Lotus is an incredibly beautiful herbaceous amphibian plant that can grow for several years thanks to its massive root, in which it accumulates useful substances. The lotus owes its popularity to its large cream, yellow or pink flowers.

Lotus can be propagated either by seeds or by rhizomes. Moreover, in the second case, the lotus may bloom the next season. When planting a lotus, you should remember that this flower loves clean water, so it is better to sprinkle the bottom of the reservoir with small pebbles and do not forget about periodically cleaning the water. In the spring, if the lotus has grown, it must be pruned, first removing old and dying flowers and leaves.

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• Aponogeton

Aponogeton is a widespread rhizomatous aquatic plant with large lancet-shaped leaves. For development and inconspicuous flowering, this plant requires the water temperature in the reservoir to be at least 18°C, so it is often planted directly in the water in pots, and in the fall it is taken to the basement of the house for wintering.

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• Kubyshka

Capsule is an aquarium ornamental aquatic plant of the water lily family. This type of water lily has a powerful root system, so the layer of soil at the bottom of the reservoir must be at least 7 cm. For full growth, the water lily needs two more things: good lighting and clean water. It is advisable to change the water at least 1-2 times a month, if it is an artificial reservoir, or install water purification filters and fill the bottom with pebbles to reduce the amount of turbidity in the water.

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• Nymphaeum

Nymphaeum or marsh flower is a perennial deep-water plant that stands out for its height, which depends on the water level in the reservoir and can reach one meter. Flowers and green leaves resembling a water lily develop on a long stem. Marshflower flowers look more like buttercups and are collected in small clusters. The nympheater gives its preference to quiet, illuminated creeks and shallow reservoirs.

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• Silkman

Mulberry belongs to the buttercup family and is often found in standing or slow-moving bodies of water. In artificial reservoirs it is often used to enrich water with oxygen; in addition, it adapts quite easily to life on land, which makes it very popular. Mulberry propagates vegetatively using stem segments.

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Coastal plants

In order for the reservoir not to stand out from the overall design of the summer cottage, it is necessary to take care of a smooth transition between water and land; for this it is necessary to select plants that will decorate the coastline and help ensure access of oxygen under the ice crust in winter.

• Swampman

Perennial aquatic plant, very frost-resistant. The stems are immersed in water, thin, curved, branched. It grows in lakes, rivers and canals, prefers standing or slowly flowing water, but can also live in waterlogged soil - damp hollows and periodically flooded areas.

The swamp is very unpretentious. Light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy clay soils are suitable for cultivation. It requires a well-lit place, but on very hot days the plant can be shaded. For good growth, the soil depth when planting should be at least 15-20 cm.

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• water pine

Being primarily a marsh plant, water pine grows well in shallow water, but can grow completely submerged. This plant is very unpretentious and winter-hardy. As a rule, it is planted in growth restrictors or in containers with any soil that can be immersed to a depth of 1 m. It grows equally well in the sun and in the shade.

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• Iris

Some moisture-loving species of the Iris genus can grow in close proximity to water bodies. They are able to grow in shallow water and in the coastal zone on excessively moist soils. Most of them grow successfully when the rhizomes and lower parts of the stems are immersed in water. Moisture-loving species include Kaempfer's Iris and Siberian Iris.

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• Marsh marigold

Marsh marigold is a beautiful primrose of bright yellow, orange or golden colors with a fleshy stem. The plant loves well-moistened soil, so it is ideal for planting near bodies of water. Marigold is very unpretentious in care: any fertile soil, almost any lighting (preferably partial shade) is suitable for it. Marigold reproduces by dividing the bush.

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• Rogoz

Cattail is one of the most common and unpretentious perennial aquatic plants of the sedge family. Cattails are planted in shallow water; propagation is usually carried out in early spring by dividing the rhizome. After planting, the plant requires plenty of watering and good lighting.

So, you are the owner of a garden decorative pond. Having spent a lot of effort on setting up a mini-reservoir and decorating it in a landscape or design style, it’s time to start landscaping. What plants can be planted in a pond, and what plants can be planted near the pond, in its coastal zone? There are a great many options here; here you will learn about the most popular representatives of aquatic flora for an artificial reservoir.

What types of plants can be planted in a home pond?

All aquatic plants for an artificial pond perform an important task: they serve as a kind of filters to purify water and maintain biological balance. It is desirable that at least one third of the artificial reservoir be allocated for plants.

There are several types of aquatic plants for ponds, each of which requires planting at a specific depth.

There are deep-water plants for a garden pond, the flowers of which are on the surface of the water surface (for example, water lily).

There are oxygenating plants that grow in the water column and bring the greatest benefit to the reservoir, but they are practically invisible from the outside.

There are floating plants for the pond, as well as coastal ones, which rise above the surface of the water, and their roots are in the ground under water. Swamp crops are usually planted next to a body of water in waterlogged and wet soil. They bring little benefit to the pond, but provide shade and perform a decorative function. When deciding which pond plants to plant in the water surface and on the shore, you need to select them in accordance with the landscape design style, based on your own taste.

Planting aquatic plants for an artificial country pond

Plants for a pond at the dacha are planted in the pond already at the moment when the structure is completely ready, filled with water and settled for 10 days. It is better to plant aquatic crops in early summer. Depending on the type of plants, they are planted along the shore or at the bottom of the reservoir. You can plant the plants directly in the soil laid at the bottom, but it is best to place them in plastic or ceramic pots, which are then placed on the bottom.

Pots with aquatic plants for a pond must have holes in the walls and bottom; this is necessary for soil ventilation, otherwise the roots will rot. Z and plants in pots and baskets will be easier to care for: move them to a warm room for the winter, carry out reproduction, etc.

The soil in the baskets can be made up of ordinary soil from the garden (it is better to use clay soil) and a small amount of bone meal. It is impossible to enrich the soil with manure, fertilizers, black soil or peat; this can cause poisoning of the inhabitants of the reservoir.

Take care to protect the soil layer in the baskets from being washed away by water, and also to ensure that the fish do not pick up turbidity from the surface of the soil. To do this, after planting the plants in the pond, you can lay clean burlap or other coarse fabric on top, and place small pebbles on it (2 cm layer).

Regardless of what plants you decide to plant in the pond, especially long roots and old leaves must be removed before planting. After planting, it is necessary to compact the soil around the plant stem so that the distance between the soil and the edge of the basket is at least 40 mm. Before planting aquatic plants, it is imperative to determine exactly at what depth they should be planted.

There are also types of plants for decorative ponds that do not require planting at all - they float freely on the surface of the reservoir, holding themselves on the surface of the water. Such plants include water lilies and lotus. But these crops need to be closely monitored, since in favorable conditions they multiply quickly and, if not thinned out, can quickly take over the entire pond.

The main problem for any enclosed body of water with standing water is duckweed, which multiplies quickly and quickly takes over the entire area. Under no circumstances does it need to be planted on purpose. In general, when planting plants, you need to adhere to measures - all plants need light and, in addition, dense thickets in a small pond will look unattractive.

In any case, the pond with plants must be regularly thinned, removing excess and old shoots. As for preparing plants for wintering, those aquatic crops for which a temperate climate is their natural habitat should be left in the reservoir.

Exotic plants for the home pond from warm countries should be removed from the pond and placed in a home aquarium or indoor bathtub for the winter. You must first prune heavily overgrown plants. Indoors, crops must be provided with sufficient lighting so that they do not wither.

If it is not possible to buy plants for a summer cottage pond in a store, you can simply go to the nearest swampy pond, carefully study what grows in it and at what depth, and then select individual specimens for your own pond.

Since the water in the pond is stagnant, as in most artificial reservoirs, the plants in it will be suitable, and all of them, without exception, are adapted to the local climate.

In this case, it will be possible to immediately transplant an adult plant into a country pond. But you need to be careful and not go “foraging” alone, because after all, many of the plants grow in swampy areas, and here it will be difficult for one person to cope with the task, and even unsafe. You must first stock up on two long poles to test the ground under your feet, good rubber boots with high tops and a reliable assistant who will have to remain on the shore, but within the reach of the pole.

The most popular aquatic plants for a pond

The most popular aquatic plant when constructing an artificial pond is the water lily, or water lily. It belongs to the category of deep-sea plants and has a horizontally growing rhizome. There are four types of water lilies: dwarf (planting depth - 0.1-0.25 m, diameter of the surface covered with leaves - 0.3-0.6 m, covering area - 1-2.5 m2, flower diameter - 5-10 cm ), small (planting depth - 0.1-0.25 m, diameter of the surface covered with leaves - 0.3-0.6 m, covering area - 1-2.5 m2, flower diameter - 5-10 cm), medium (planting depth - 0.1-0.25 m, diameter of the surface covered with leaves - 0.3-0.6 m, covering area - 1-2.5 m2, flower diameter - 5-10 cm) and large (planting depth - 0.1-0.25 m, diameter of the surface covered with leaves - 0.3-0.6 m, covering area - 1-2.5 m2, flower diameter - 5-10 cm). Often, large and beautiful water lilies are much cheaper than their small and inconspicuous at first glance relatives. But the former grow in a tropical climate and do not adapt well to ours. In addition, large water lilies also need a large reservoir. But smaller water lilies take up little space and feel great in the local climate.

As you can see in the photo, these aquatic pond plants come with white, pink, red and yellow flowers:

Leaves begin to grow immediately after the ice melts, when the water temperature in the reservoir rises several degrees above the zero mark of the thermometer, and the plants bloom until late autumn. Their flowering peak occurs during the warmest period of the garden season. When choosing a type of water lilies, you need to take into account their characteristics: the temperature of the content (exotic species are not adapted to our climate), the depth of the reservoir (some species require a depth of up to 1 m), and the area of ​​the surface covered with flowers.

If the pond is small, then too much bloom will cover more than half of the surface of the pond, and this can lead to shading of the pond, there will be a lack of oxygen in the water, an excess of swamp gas will appear and the water will rot.

As they grow (after 2-3 months), deep-water lilies need to be transplanted to greater depths, and if the pond is shallow, then the pots with roots should be put in the basement for the winter.

The deep-sea plants also include the marsh plant. This plant resembles a water lily because it has small wavy leaves, often with brownish spots (diameter up to 5 cm).

Look at the photo: This pond plant has yellow flowers, collected in inflorescences, reaching a diameter of 4 cm. Usually this crop is planted in a pond until the water lilies take root. Tends to grow rapidly. The planting depth is 0.3-0.6 m, the height of the flowers above the water surface is 5-8 cm. The marsh flower blooms from July to September. Reproduction occurs by dividing rhizomes and occurs in late spring or summer.

Another plant from the deep-sea category is the egg capsule. This is a “relative” of the water lily, although it is not as beautiful. The egg capsule has small and uninteresting flowers, planted on thick peduncles that rise above the surface of the water. This plant needs running water and partial shade. For a medium-sized pond, you can use small and dwarf egg capsules.

Japanese and foreign egg capsules are often found on sale, but these plants require a large reservoir, because the diameter of the flower reaches 8 cm, and the pistil is comparable in size and shape to a small glass bottle. Planting depth is 0.3-0.6 m (for small species), flower height above the water surface is 8 cm, the egg capsule blooms from June to September, and reproduces by dividing rhizomes in late spring or summer.

Floating plants for garden decorative pond

Common watercolor, or frog, is a plant floating on the surface of the water. This crop is often used in small ponds because it grows slowly, although it blooms all summer, and its foliage dies off in the fall. Watercolor overwinters in the form of buds at the bottom of the pond, which at the beginning of summer rise to the surface and a new plant grows from them. Some experts recommend removing the buds for the winter along with part of the muddy bottom and storing them in a jar of water, and lowering them to the bottom again in April. This will protect the population from freezing, because small bodies of water freeze thoroughly.

Vodokras leaves reach a diameter of 2.5-5 cm. The height of the flowers above the surface of the water is 3-5 cm. Vodokras propagates in summer by dividing bushes.

One of the most popular plants when constructing artificial reservoirs is hornwort. This is an oxygenator plant, i.e. it has no roots and grows directly in the water. Adapted to any lighting conditions, does not grow too much, reproduces by dividing shoots into parts in the summer.

In the water it looks like a thick, branchy brush. This plant is necessary to maintain biological balance in water.

There are several types of hornworts, but dark green or submerged ones are recommended for artificial reservoirs. The plant overwinters in the form of buds at the bottom of a reservoir.

What plants to plant near a pond at the dacha

Below are described coastal plants for a pond with photos and names that can be planted around an artificial pond.

Air refers to coastal plants. There are several varieties of calamus, which differ in color and size. When choosing, you must remember that low-growing varieties are more vulnerable to winter frosts. Typically, two types of these coastal pond plants are used to decorate garden ponds: common calamus and marsh calamus.

The first type is very large, resembling an iris. It has straight, arrow-shaped leaves that emit a pleasant aroma. The inflorescences-cobs are of little interest - they are small, greenish and horn-shaped. The second type of calamus has beautiful leaves with a green-cream color, which turns green-pink in spring.

The height of this plant in the coastal zone of the pond is 0.5-1 m. These aquatic plants need to be planted to a depth of 8-15 cm. It is also a coastal plant - Volzhanka. There are dioecious Volzhanka and forest Volzhanka, or common Volzhanka. The latter is the most common. This plant is unpretentious, takes root well in a new place, reaching a height of 2 meters in just 2 years. Flowering time is June-July, propagated by dividing bushes in autumn. Volzhanka inflorescences are large, fluffy and long (up to 20 cm), consisting of many creamy white flowers. Crops need to be planted at a distance of 75 cm from each other and in small quantities, because this large plant shades the pond quite strongly. At the end of autumn, Volzhanka must be pruned, leaving only stems 10-15 cm long above the ground. The crop must be planted in the shade.

Plants of the coastal zone around the pond at the dacha

When deciding what plants to plant near a pond in your country house, pay attention to buttercups; they also belong to the group of coastal plants. To decorate artificial reservoirs, underwater buttercup is used, which looks very unique - it has two types of leaves: underwater leaves are dissected into thin segments, similar to hairs, and surface leaves, floating on the surface, have trifoliate leaves and look like clover. The first flowers appear in early summer. They are white, on branching stems that rise above the water. When the flowering period ends, the plant dies. Buttercup propagates in spring and summer by cuttings.

Kaluzhnitsa is a marsh plant, and is often used to decorate coastal areas of water bodies. This plant near a pond is a very unpretentious crop that grows well on the banks of small ponds or swamps. Marigold blooms early - in April. Its flowers resemble buttercup flowers, and its leaves are round or heart-shaped. The most popular variety of this plant, planted near a pond, is marsh marigold. The height of the plant is 0.3-0.5 m, it is planted to a depth of 5 cm, and blooms with bright yellow flowers.

Another popular type of plants around a pond is Calthapalustris Plena. This crop is distinguished by its double yellow flowers, similar to small chrysanthemums, and blooms in April. The bushes reach a height of 10-30 cm. There is a variety of the plant Alba, which blooms in May with white flowers. The culture grows in a swamp, planting depth is up to 2.5 cm, plant height is 15-20 cm. Another marigold, thin-sepalized, is a little similar to Alba. But this is a real giant among all other relatives. Marigold multipetallus has large beautiful leaves and large yellow flowers, grows up to 1 m in height and is planted to a depth of 5-10 cm in large bodies of water. All these plants growing near the pond at the dacha are propagated at the end of summer by fresh seeds or by dividing bushes.

What other plants should I plant near a pond in my country house?

What other plants can be planted near the pond to decorate the coastal area of ​​the reservoir?

Sedge grows both in water and in coastal marshy soil. The depth of its planting in water is 5 cm. There are tall plants that are suitable for large bodies of water. Protruding sedge is often used to decorate a pond. This plant, planted near a pond in the country, has yellow leaves, and the bush reaches a height of 0.5 m. You can also use coastal sedge - it has green and white leaves and the height of the bush is 0.3-0.6 m. Kotula - coastal a plant characterized by fragrant leaves. Its bushes grow 15 cm in height, and bloom all summer with small yellow, button-like inflorescences. There is Kotula coronopusifolia - an annual plant that easily reproduces by self-sowing.

You can sow the seeds of this plant in the spring at home, and then, after transplanting it into a ceramic pot, plant it in a pond. The planting depth of the cotula is 12 cm.

An excellent plant for the shore of a pond is pontederia. The most popular plant for constructing garden ponds is Pontederia cordate. This is a very beautiful plant: it has large shiny leaves, grows in bushes, cylindrical, spike-shaped inflorescences are pale blue, the height of the peduncles is 0.6-0.75 m, and grows slowly. Pontederia blooms from July to September and reproduces by dividing bushes in late spring. However, this plant, planted around a pond at the dacha, is not very resistant to frost; it overwinters with buds at the bottom. Therefore, it is advisable that the bud be as deep as possible, or to be on the safe side, you need to select the buds from the bottom along with the silt and place them in a jar of water for the winter, and when it gets warmer, move them back to the reservoir.

Aquatic plants growing in natural and artificial reservoirs not only decorate them, but also perform the functions of cleaning and creating biological...

Aquatic plants: types, description, names

From Masterweb

02.06.2018 22:00

Aquatic plants or hydrophytes growing in natural bodies of water not only decorate them, but also perform the functions of cleaning and creating a biological microclimate. Using them when landscaping a pond or swimming pool on the territory of a country house or garden plot will help decorate the landscape.

Adaptation of plants to an aquatic environment

In any pond, river or other body of water there are always many different plants that grow and reproduce well in their natural environment. They are characterized by leaves with a large surface, sometimes dissected. The root system is usually weak and is designed to be fixed to the bottom soil; some species do without roots. The stems have cavities and a system of intercellular spaces that help consume oxygen when immersed in water, which also keeps them afloat.

Hydrophytes are divided into several species, each of which has its own habitat and performs a specific function in a given biozone. They are also characterized by a method of reproduction in which seeds spread under water: when they fall to the bottom, they begin to germinate.

Types of aquatic plants differ from the area where they are located:

• coastal, which are located along the coast, exposing some of the stems and leaves above the surface: horsetail, arrowhead, cattail, reeds, reeds;
• semi-aquatic: irises, pondeteria, susak, marigolds, etc.;
• aquatic, whose entire life is spent at the depth of the reservoir: water moss, hornwort, chara, nitella;
• floating on the surface or in the water column: pistia, fontinalis moss, water buttercup, duckweed, watercolor, marsh flower, water chestnut;
• deep-sea or submerged, which take root in the ground, and above the surface there are flowers: egg capsule, water lily, orontium, lotus;
• oxygen generators - plants immersed in water and actively releasing oxygen necessary to ensure the vital activity of all inhabitants of the reservoir: water star, hornwort, marsh turcha, spicate urut.

Plants of natural reservoirs

All natural bodies of water are surrounded by thickets of coastal vegetation, which grows in stripes along the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds. The only exception may be the leeward side, which is devoid of large plantings.

Various types and forms of aquatic plants are grouped or arranged in stripes depending on the direction of flow or depth. Along the shore, as a rule, there are dense thickets of reeds or reeds with hard leaves. Fish prefer to live among plants with softer stems and leaves.

The species composition of underwater plants in natural reservoirs can change quite significantly over time, since some of them deplete the soil, release harmful substances into the bottom, and then die. They are also influenced by climate or weather changes, anthropogenic impact, and environmental pollution.

Coastal

Plants growing along the perimeter of the reservoir define the border with the shore. These include:

1. The aquatic plant arrowhead (sagittaria or common bogwort) is widely used for landscaping ponds, its root is represented by cord-like shoots with rounded tubers, is immersed in water, the stem has a porous tissue filled with air bubbles, its length is 0.2-1.1 m. Above-water part has a petiole, the leaves are triangular in shape, similar to an arrowhead up to 30 cm long. In mid-June, sagittaria blooms and blooms until the end of summer with white flowers with a spherical middle; inside the petal there may be red or cherry spots. In total, there are about 40 species of mireweed, including decorative varieties. Many of them are used to decorate man-made ponds and go well with other aquatic plants.
2. Reed or ocheret is a herbaceous plant from the Poaceae family, which is found in the middle zone in all reservoirs with a depth of up to 1.5 m, has hard stems that repel fish, and has long rhizomes, from which long hollow stems up to 5 m in height grow. The reed inflorescence is a violet-silver panicle. Used in oriental medicine.
3. Skirpus or reed is a perennial pond plant, growing up to 3.5 m tall, has a cylindrical strong stem and paniculate/capitate inflorescence, prefers swampy places. Many people confuse it with reed.
4. Cattail, which is often confused with reeds, has a rigid stem with long leaves, at the end of which there is a beautiful brown velvet ear with seeds. Grows in reservoirs up to 1.5 m deep.

Near-aquatic

Submerged or semi-aquatic plants are common in the wild and are available for cultivation in artificial ponds.

Examples of aquatic plants growing in shallow or near water:

• Swamp iris - distinguished by bright yellow flowers with a brown pattern, prefers sunlit areas and fertile soil, stem height up to 1.5 m, suitable for ponds, planted to a depth of 40 cm.
• Smooth iris - blooms from June to October with blue or purple flowers, up to 1 m high, goes well with other aquatic plants.

• Marigold (Caltha) (swamp, thin-cupped, fistula, etc.) is a winter-hardy, unpretentious plant (poisonous!), prefers sunny places, tolerates flooding up to 20 cm, has golden, white-yellow flowers, planting depth depends on the variety (20-120 cm).
• Pondetheria - decorated with blue or purple flowers, loves the sun and nutritious soil, a capricious and non-winter-hardy plant (transported indoors for the winter), planting depth is about 8 cm.
• Susak (Butomus) is an unpretentious plant, blooms with small pink-crimson flowers, grows very quickly, planting depth is 10 cm.
• Amphibious knotweed (Persicaria) - blooms all summer with bright pink small flowers arranged in a cone, when planting they are buried down to 0.5 m, it is better to plant in containers, winter-hardy and unpretentious.

Oxygenators

One of the most important types of underwater plants that supply the entire body of water with additional oxygen. Many of them are also used as food for fish. Their advantage is also the improvement of sanitary conditions and biological purification of water.

Names of aquatic plants-oxygenators:

• Common marsh grass (Callitriche), also called water star.
• Urut (Myriophyllum) belongs to the perennials of the Slanoyagodnikov family; it has shoots rising above the water and a creeping rhizome. Long stems (up to 1.5 m) are covered with thin leaves and form an elegant lace of thickets under water, for which it is called “pinnate”. It is grown as a coastal plant, propagated vegetatively, its parts can be planted directly into the ground to a depth of 1.2 m in the spring and summer. Looks great in small ponds, where it forms beautiful patterns under water.

• Turcha (Hottoni) - is a relative of primroses, has about 100 species in the Primrose family. The second name - “water feather” is given for the rosette consisting of dissected feathery leaves floating in the water. In the summer months, flower stalks appear, which rise 15-30 cm above the water and are decorated with flowers; in the fall it dies and overwinters at the bottom in the buds.

• Hornwort (Ceratophyllum) is dark green and has a long stem that branches at the top. The leaves are dissected into segments, grows at a depth of up to 9 m, has unique aquatic pollination, thanks to which it is widely distributed in the reservoirs of Russia and other European countries. Instead of roots, it has stems that hold the plant on the ground in the silt. In autumn, the upper part dies off, and the shoots with buds overwinter at the bottom of the reservoir.
• Elodea - belongs to the perennials of the Vodokrasaceae family, lives entirely under water, shoots branch up to 1 m long, and has small leaves located throughout the stem. It blooms very rarely with small white flowers with red sepals.

floating plants

Such plants can be successfully used to decorate an artificial pond. They do not require any maintenance, you just need to carefully monitor the growth rate so that the pond is not completely overgrown with them. The difference between these aquatic plants is that the roots are not fixed and therefore float freely, while the leaves and flowers are located on the surface.

The most popular floating ones:

• Duckweed covers the entire surface of the reservoir with a green carpet and is a small plant consisting of stems held together in several pieces (leaves). It blooms only in artificial reservoirs, reproduces vegetatively when young leaves are separated from the mother leaves, and overwinters at the bottom.
• Watercolor (Hydrocharis) is a perennial plant with small, round leaves at the base in the shape of a heart, from which fleshy roots hang down. The flowers are small, white, located 3-5 cm above the surface of the water above the leaves.

• Azolla (Carolina or fern) came to Europe from the tropical reservoirs of America, resembles openwork moss, grows very quickly, which is why it has to be removed from the pond with a net, and by autumn the leaves acquire a reddish color.
• Eichhornia, which has the name “Water hyacinth,” is a floating, heat-loving plant with dark green leaves that blooms in late summer with lilac-blue or yellow flowers, similar to orchids. In the fall, it must be moved indoors to an aquarium, placing it in a ring float, where the plant successfully overwinters. According to scientists, it has fantastic abilities to process organic pollutants (that is, it loves dirty water bodies).

• Water chestnut (Chilim) is an annual, has original fruits decorated with horns (for which it received the names “devil’s” and “horned”), with which it clings to the bottom. Floats thanks to leaves that have swellings with an air layer. It reproduces by self-pollination, but only in regions with a warm climate: in the second half of summer, white flowers appear, protruding above the water, and by autumn, hard drupes of 1-15 pieces ripen. on each plant, which gradually sink to the bottom.

deep sea

These aquatic plants have rhizomes buried in the bottom of the reservoir, and stems, leaves and flowers are located above its surface. Their main diet consists of organic matter in the bottom soil. The leaf blades are usually large in size. This creates shade and prevents the water from heating, which helps prevent the active proliferation of small algae. The main advantage of deep-sea species is their beautiful flowering.

Some types of deep-sea plants:

• Orontium or “Golden Club” (Orontium) is a perennial with green-blue leaves, silvery below, in April-May it blooms with inflorescences-cobs sticking out of the water (12-15 cm long), consisting of small yellow flowers, similar to white-yellow pencils.
• Nuphar (Nuphar) is a perennial that is widely used for landscaping large bodies of water that have shade. Its roots are fixed in the bottom soil, and leaves and yellow flowers floating on the surface, located on thick peduncles.

Water lily and lotus

These 2 types of deep-sea plants are among the most spectacular and spectacular, having bright beautiful flowers and large leaves. When planted in a home pond, they will become a wonderful decoration.

The water lily flower (Nymphaea) takes its name from water nymphs in various European mythologies. There are 35 species and are divided into 2 groups: tropical and winter-hardy. The latter are suitable for growing in open reservoirs in the central and northern parts of Russia, preferring sunny places with standing water. The required area for each plant is 0.5-4 square meters. m.

The most common winter-hardy varieties of water lilies:

• The white water lily, which is often found in natural reservoirs, has powerful roots up to 5 cm thick; petioles and peduncles are located on the surface, which begin flowering in May and continue until frost. The leaves are round and wide up to 25 cm, the flowers are snow-white, each lasts 4 days, after which the fruit sets under water. After ripening, the seeds spill out of the boxes and gradually sink to the bottom, where they then germinate.

• The flower of the fragrant water lily is white, emitting a pleasant aroma; the leaves are bright green in color, turning red at the bottom over time. Some varieties bloom yellow (spotted Sulphurea), pink or cream flowers.
• Hybrid water lily (nymphea) - becomes a decoration of any body of water, thanks to its beautiful flowers and heart-shaped bright leaves (some with spots or red tints).

Lotus (Nelumbo) is a perennial aquatic plant, the leaves of which are located both under water and on the surface, funnel-shaped and large, with a diameter of up to 70 cm. The lotus is decorated with large fragrant flowers (up to 30 cm) with pink-white petals, placed brightly in the center -yellow stamens. The fruits are dark brown in color with 30 seeds, the germination of which lasts for tens and hundreds of years. In the East, this plant is worshiped and ancient legends and traditions are told. In Europe, it has been grown in greenhouses and artificial ponds since the 18th century.

Creating a reservoir: rules

Using aquatic plants to decorate an artificial pond in a garden plot or on the territory of a country house will create a unique natural landscape and provide the opportunity to admire beautiful leaves and flowers throughout the warm season.

Regardless of the size of such a reservoir, it is necessary to select several types of plants with different flowering periods, sizes and shapes of leaves, also taking into account their height and planting depth. The main rule is to maintain biobalance in an artificial pond, in which for the safe coexistence of all plants, fish and microorganisms it is necessary to ensure that the vegetation covers the water surface by half or more.

The center of the pond is given over to beautifully flowering plants - water lilies, the variety of which is selected based on the area of ​​the pond. Coastal species (arrowhead, calamus, susak) are planted along the edge; forget-me-nots or marigolds are planted in shallow water; moisture-loving plants (sedges, irises, daylilies) with a strong root system can be placed on the soil along the edge, which will help preserve the shore from erosion.

Free-floating species (duckweed, teloris, vodokras) under favorable conditions multiply very quickly and can occupy the entire surface, so they must be periodically removed with a net.

Planting aquatic plants in a pond

Landscaping an artificial reservoir can be done in 2 ways:

• planting plants in the ground in depressions made along the perimeter of the pond, which is more suitable for steep banks;
• in special containers that are placed on stands or ledges; this method allows them to be moved if necessary.

The planting depth depends on the type: for water lilies it is up to 1.5 m, for coastal or marsh plants - 5-20 cm. Optimal planting time: from April to July. Oxygenators are usually planted first, water lilies are planted when the water is heated, then floating ones, and the coastal zone is settled last.

If desired, fish can be released into the pond, but only after 4-6 weeks, when all the plants have taken root and the water has settled.

Basic rules for planting aquatic plants and constructing a pond:

• place it away from deciduous trees so that falling parts do not clog the pond;
• ideal is sunlight in the morning and afternoon, and at noon the plants will be comfortable in a little shade;
• It is periodically necessary to thin out fast-growing species so that they do not obscure other plants and the surface of the reservoir.

With the correct selection of species and varieties of hydrophytes, their growth zones and flowering periods, the effort required to care for an artificial reservoir can be reduced. Bright greenery and plants blooming throughout the warm season will decorate the entire surrounding landscape.

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Despite their fragile appearance, they can adapt to almost any living conditions: they grow in deserts, on trees, on rocky surfaces, and even break through asphalt. Of course, there are also aquatic plants. Flowers on the water attract us with their unusually beautiful appearance and originality of arrangement.

Features of the habitat

There are 5 zones of growth of aquatic plants:

1. Deep water zone- an area up to 120 cm deep. Adapting to such an environment, plants take root in the soil of the reservoir, and their leaves are on the surface of the water. The most famous representative of the zone is.
2. Shallow zone- an area with a depth of 20 to 40 cm. The roots of plants in this zone are located under water, but most of the shoots grow above water. These include reeds and rushes.
3. Swamp zone- a zone with a depth of up to 20 cm. Plants grow in the hydromotor edge of the pond, which means that the water does not have a constant level.
4. Wet area. Plants are located outside the water; they can withstand long periods of flooding, but prolonged drought is completely undesirable for them.
5. Garden area- an area adjacent to a body of water.

The first, deep-sea zone deserves our attention more than the rest, since the plants growing in this zone are arranged in a very interesting way: the flowers seem to lie on the water, and everything else is hidden from the human eye.

Water nymph - water lily

Water lily, also known as nymphea, also known as water lily, is the most famous and probably the most beautiful water flower. Delicate pink, white and yellow petals sway quietly on the water, making everyone who sees them admire them. According to Greek mythology, nymphs were the name for the deities of nature: forests, rivers, mountains, so it is not strange that the nymphaeum is so beautiful and majestic.

Lotus

Externally, this beautiful flower is very similar to a water lily. Not everyone is able to distinguish them at first glance, but meanwhile, the difference is quite big. The water lily, which unites 70 species, belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family, and the lotus is the only representative of the Lotus family and is divided into only two species. But the main difference is that the lotus flower has a barrel-shaped pistil built into the open receptacle, and the stamens are thread-like, unlike the lamellar stamens of the water lily.

Common watercolor

Another water lily-like water flower, Vodokras, is a representative of the Vodokras family. For those who live near a body of water, a water-colored, or paddling pool, is truly common, as it occurs very often. The plant blooms very beautifully: three graceful white petals converge to a yellow core.