How to create a healthy ecosystem for your pond
Pond plants and decorations provide your pond with a healthy ecosystem. This ecosystem relies on a combination of fish, plants, clean water, and fresh air to maintain the pond at its best. However, if you let just one of these components slide, the whole ecosystem of your pond might become unbalanced.
At Home Style Fishponds, our pond cleaners believe in using plants that not only benefit your pond, but also complement the style of your garden and suit the level of upkeep you’re willing to commit to. There’s a wide range of plants and decorations to choose from, and by following some general guidelines, your pond will look better for longer.
What kinds of plants are best?
There are five types of plants to use in a pond – oxygenators, floating plants, marginal plants, bog plants, and submersibles.
Oxygenator plants grow rapidly and utilise the minerals that would normally feed algae, thereby contributing to cleaner, clearer water. Water lilies are perfect for this, and as an added benefit they provide spawning, hiding, and feeding areas for your fish.
Likewise, floating plants provide shade and resting spots, with some of the best options including duckweed and water lettuce.
If your pond is in a contained space, such as a plastic mould, marginal plants are a fantastic option. These plants sit in a pot which is just covered by the water, and include Japanese iris, Egyptian paper plant and water mint.
Bog plants, on the other hand, are great for natural ponds and are suitable for growing in muddy conditions. Day lilies, goat’s beard and ajuga provide lovely splashes of colour throughout the year.
And lastly, underwater plants such as eel grass, which remain totally submerged, provide excellent underwater refuges for pondlife, encouraging a healthy, happy ecosystem beneath the surface.
How Home Style Fishponds can help
Our experienced team can advise you on the most appropriate plants and decorations for your pond, keeping in mind the delicate ecosystems in need of support. We can then install and maintain the additions of your choice.
When you do include plants, you will no doubt notice an increase of organic debris, and this is where our cleaning services come in. From regular maintenance to once-off or emergency cleans, our reliable team pride themselves on top-quality results. So, for any kind of help or advice with your pond, get in contact with Home Style Fishponds today!