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Have you got a wildlife pond?
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Have you got a wildlife pond?
Pond? Well, 7 acre lake, but the staff take care of that
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
Yes, several
27%
 27%  [ 5 ]
Yes
27%
 27%  [ 5 ]
An ornamental pond
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
Water feature without chemicals
16%
 16%  [ 3 ]
Just bird bath/saucers of water/washing up tub
11%
 11%  [ 2 ]
None of the above
11%
 11%  [ 2 ]
I have a stream/river/beach!
5%
 5%  [ 1 ]
Total Votes : 18

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nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 05 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've got a plastic seed tray hidden in a shady corner of the garden, I made little steps up to it and inside it with stones. I get frogs in it every year!

And I love my bird bath, it's lovely watching them all have a good splash.

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 05 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Two horrible water features here (himslef is anti- digging!) One of those bubble fountain things that just doesn't bubble, and a really horrible pre-fabricated two half barrels and a fake pump afair, that himslef liked (he usually has quite good taste) that sounds like a drunk peeing in the pond on a saturday night. it's in my new veg patch, and so is going (hurrah!)

I am thinking of combining the two in a shady spot near the patio where it is diffcult to grow stuff. I'll sink the larger of the two barrels, put the stones from the bubble fountain in for steps, and put the bubble fountain mechanics, just breaking the surface of the water (for a gentle trickly-type noise, as opposed to a running bath!) I'll keep the pump, and maybe combine it with the remains of the bubble pool, filled with stones. If it doesn't sound right, then I'll plonk it in the ivy. I'll put a pot plant for the paito in the smaller barrel. That's another project for my summer hols then (like I needed another one!).

Any ideas for land plants that look watery for planting around the edge of the barrel. Need to like shade, soil OK. I'm not fussed about flowers, prefer green with water, and have lots of blue and white relaxing annuals in the bed already.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 05 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

wellington womble wrote:
Any ideas for land plants that look watery for planting around the edge of the barrel. Need to like shade, soil OK. I'm not fussed about flowers, prefer green with water, and have lots of blue and white relaxing annuals in the bed already.


Ivy is a good bet. Plenty to choose from and they can make a good mat for animals to live in. The ivy can grow into the water and make the edges look more natural and it is easily moved & clipped.

Another plant I use is Bugle (ajuga). It also creeps and can grow over the edge of the pond. Dies dow a bit in winter,

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 05 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You could consider watermint. I think it's a marginal...ours is currently mostly underwater, but in spring to summer the flowers are lovely and welcomed by bees.

We've also planted some seed-grown watercress in the edges of the pond, allegedly it helps with clearing the pond but if nothing else, it looks nice, is native (ish) and provides more cover and food for the pond life.

Bugle is my favourite edging; shiny leaves and blue flowers...but it does die back and as TD says, ivy is an effective edging. Even though I'm not fond of ivy as a plant on its own, the frogs and insects definitely appreciate the cover.

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