Creating A Water Feature With Native Plants

A water feature can be a pond of several acres or half a whiskey barrel.  Water features add a new dimension to an outdoor space and benefit wildlife at the same time.  Setting up trail cameras around a water feature can document the astonishing array of animals that drop by for a drink. 

The principles for a healthy water garden are the same regardless of the size of the feature.  Here are some tips on caring for one. 

Balance 

A healthy water feature is in balance.  Water features host a wide range of plants and animals.  The animals consume algae and microplankton.  These animals are in turn consumed by larger animals.  This creates a healthy ecosystem. 

Problems occur when too many nutrients enter the water and swamp the ecosystem’s ability to keep balanced.  An algae bloom occurs and reduces the oxygen in the water for other plants and animals to use.  Water plants are an important part of managing the nutrients in the water.  They use lots of nutrients to grow the plant material we see.  A good rule of thumb is to have 40% of the surface and subsurface occupied by plants. 

Picking A Site 

Water features should not have a slope of greater than 2%.  You may need to build berms to hold the water in and reduce the slope.  Most water plants need at least a half a day of sunlight to do well.  If you put a water feature under trees, you will need to regularly clean the leaves out of the water to maintain the balance of the feature.  Make sure the place you want to put the water feature is a place someone can see it and enjoy it. 

Designing The Water Feature 

It is important to think about the purpose of the water feature and how it will be integrated into the larger landscape before building the water feature.  Do you want water falls, fountains, statues, or other special features?  What shape do you want the water feature to be?  Many towns have water garden hobbyists groups that will be happy to talk to you about designing your garden.  They can tell you the pros and cons for different ways of constructing your water feature. 

Pond Materials 

Ponds can be constructed in many different ways and of many different materials.  It is wise to invest in the best materials you can afford so the ponds will last for years of enjoyment. 

Pond Liners 

Pond liners are thick sheets of plastic or rubber that are placed in the hole dug for the water feature to hold water.  The advantages of pond liners are that they can be free-formed into almost any shape, the cost of installation, and the ease of installation.  Pond liner problems include the risk of punctures in the liner, the reduced lifespan of the pond, and the inability of adding wires or drains to the pond. 

Preformed Ponds 

Preformed ponds are usually made of fiberglass or plastic.  The advantages of such ponds are that you know the shape they will be when you install them, ease of installation, longer lifespan, and more color choices for the pond.  The disadvantages are the forms can’t be changed, a higher material cost, and a less natural appearance.  Preformed ponds come in a variety of shapes and depths, so be sure to find a form that you like when purchasing a preformed pond. 

Masonry Ponds 

Masonry ponds are made of concrete.  Since they are poured on site, you have complete control of the shape, size, and depth of the pond.  You can add wires to power pumps and lights and drains to remove the water.  These ponds are very durable and low maintenance.  The disadvantages are higher cost of installation, possibility of cracking, inability to change the pond configuaration, and the necessity of water quality management. 

Containers 

Containers are a fun way to add a water feature to a patio or deck.  The advantages of container water gardens are inexpensive costs, ability to move the water garden around, and the durability of the water feature.  The disadvantages are higher maintenance, fixed shape, and the limited ability to add wires and drains.  Experts suggest any container you use be able to hold a minimum of 15 gallons of water. 

Maintenance 

All water features require maintenance to look their best.  Removal of leaves and other debris, checking pumps and filters, and the removal of water plants that exceed the water’s carrying capacity are the most common maintenance items.  You may also need to add water during a drought.  If you live somewhere with cold winters, you will need to use a floating water heater to keep the water feature from freezing, especially if the pond is small. 

Critters 

Most water features attract a variety of wildlife.  Algae is consumed by many aquatic animals.  If the water is still, as opposed to having a fountain or waterfall in it, you will need to add small fish to eat the mosquito larva that hatch in it or use mosquito dunks to kill them.  Many people grow koi in their pond.  Expect koi and other fish to eat some of the plants in the water garden.  Fish are also vulnerable to predation by birds like hawks or water birds.  Excessive feed for your fish can introduce too many nutrients into the ecosystem and result in an algae bloom. 

Native Plants For A Water Feature 

Plants are essential for a water feature.  They clean nutrients out of the water, provide hiding places and food for the feature’s inhabitants, and make the water garden look nice.  Plants usually inhabit one of four zones in the pond -- shallow water (less than 1' average water depth), medium depth water (1'-6' deep), deep water (over 6' deep), and floating surface plants.  Using water plants native to your area is important because exotic plants tend to escape and become invasive in natural ponds, streams, and lakes.   

Shallow water plants are used on the edge of the water feature.  Examples of shallow water plants include cattails, rushes, and bog plants that like wet feet.  Medium plants include water lilies and Siberian iris.  Deep plants include pondweed and milfoil.  Floating plants include duckweed and water fern.  There are literally thousands of different types of all these plants, so you should be able to find some that are native to your area. 

We remove the guess work in finding shallow water plants with our water garden box containing 5 bul rush, 5 river cane, and 5 crested iris that do well in almost all zones.  We also offer a box of 10 water plants that grow at different depths and in most zones. 

Ask Us 

TN Nursery prides itself on our customer service.  We will be happy to discuss what water garden plants are native to your area.  Simply call 931.692.7325 to speak to our sales staff.