Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/watergarden.html

Thinking "Outside the Pond"
June 2002
Sallie Strole, Johnson's East Store

    The statistics are startling. Wichita has the highest per capita
pond ownership in the nation! Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but
sales of aquatic plants definitely back it up. Before the water is near
warm enough, we get numerous calls wanting to know when the water plants
will be in. Growing interest in ponds is a given anymore and with that
interest comes awareness of the role plants play in balancing a pond's
ecosystem. But do all those water plant customers really have water
gardens? The answer is "yes" if you expand your definition and think
"outside the pond."

    In a conventional pond, submerged plants, or oxygenators, compete
with algae for nutrients; while floating ones shade out the algae.
Indoors, where a "pond" might be an aquarium, the same plants can be
used in slightly different ways. Oxygenators, like anacharis, provide a
natural habitat for fish, while floaters such as duckweed and water
lettuce are delectable treats for fish and turtles.

    Also inside, and all the rage, are beta vases; small fish bowls with
narrow openings to accommodate a plant while letting the roots dangle
into the water. Typical plants to use for this purpose include peace
lilies, pothos, and anthuriums; all are houseplants suited to grow
outdoors in summer in shady shallow water areas of ponds as well. Other
tropical aquatic plants which can be easily raised as houseplants as
long as they are keep moist include arrowhead, calla lily and papyrus,
or umbrella plant.

    Marginal plants are usually planted at the edge of a pond or on
shallow shelves around the rim. These can be either hardy, meaning they
will withstand our winter, or tropical meaning they won't. Marginals are
used to landscape the pond. Aesthetically they add height, texture and
color. Practically, they help shade the pond and provide shelter for
fish. In the terrestrial landscape, these water-loving varieties may
provide a solution for a problem area that stays too wet for most
conventional nursery plants. There are spreading ground covers like
houttuynia (chameleon) and creeping jenny which are at home in a stream
bed or a soggy corner. Then there are more upright perennials adaptable
to land or water such as acorus/sedge, hardy ferns, ligularia, perennial
lobelia, iris and horsetail.

    Even the royalty of water plants Ñ water lilies and lotus Ñ can be
grown outside of the traditional pond. Troughs, bowls, pots without
drain holes all can be easily transformed into miniature water gardens.
Depending on the size of the container and the variety of lily or lotus,
these noble aquatics can be incorporated into your patio pond by just
adding water.  Also, there is never the question of over or under
watering.

    Ponds themselves can range from lakes to puddles, but all need
plants to make them complete. Plants with floating foliage shade the
pond to reduce sunlight to algae. Submerged plants deprive the algae of
food, keeping the water clear, while furnishing refuge for fish, snail
and frogs. The marginals also rob algae of nutrients, provide habitat
for wildlife, and add pizazz to the pond. But anymore you don't need a
stereotypical hole in the ground to enjoy the beauty and benefits of
aquatic plants.