Plan Before You Plant: Avoid self-sowing perennials. Soil is moist around ponds, and self-seeding plants can quickly become invasive in these areas.
Compost soil before pond installation: The benefits of proper soil preparation are threefold. It's easier to dig a pond in soft ground than hard, plants are more likely to thrive, and ponds don't have to be disturbed once in place.
Exercise debris control: Plant evergreens near ponds and deciduous trees farther away to reduce leaf litter. Depart from the juniper habit and plant yews and mugho pines -- something different.
Consider light conditions: Make sure your pond gets six hours of sunlight per day before you invest in water lilies or other blooming plants. Some shade will help control algae growth. It also intensifies the refreshing qualities of a pond.
Don't put all your plant effort into the pond: Don't overcrowd ponds with plants. Save some money and effort for the perimeter. Perennials and ground covers soften and naturalize rocky pond exteriors.
Moving water is cleaner water:Fountains and waterfalls aerate ponds, which means fewer algae and clean, clear water. Aeration is especially important in koi ponds.
Keep frogs and fish apart: Frog and koi ponds need to exist in different areas of the yard for a reason -- frog eggs are food for hungry koi.
There are as many varieties of plants to use in pond gardens as there are gardeners. A few examples:
Glorious groundcovers: Creeping thyme spreads nicely between stepping stones. Blue star creeper Isotoma, blooms all summer into fall, the grayish-green feathery leaves of mat daisy contrast nicely with petals that show white during the day and close at night, revealing red undersides.
Grand Grasses: Ornamental grasses are striking around ponds. Use Japanese blood grass for upright growth and Japanese forest grass for a trailing effect. You'll like the way the wind rustles through sea oats.
Flowering Favorites: Astilbe, bleeding hearts and Japanese iris are attractive choices not only for their beauty but also because they appreciate moist growing conditions.
Watery Wonders: The water's fine for iris, lotus and water lilies. Many garden centers, riding the wave of this popular gardening trend, are dedicating entire sections of their stores to water-loving plants.
