So there you are, in the checkout line, plunking down your money for plants, just to make the pond look pretty and provide us with many happy hours of planting, pruning, and fertilizing. And we wonder, “Is it all worth it?” Yes, it is. While plants can make or break the aesthetics of your pond picture, they can also make or break the function of your pond ecosystem. And while we’re busying making sure that shorter pond plants are planted closer to the water, and taller ones are in the back, and while we’re busy reading up on how to divide our water lilies, these great plants are keeping our pond balanced and healthy.

A Little Biology Lesson

There is a lot more to plants than the average hobbyists may think. Plants provide valuable biological filtration by removing nitrogen, ammonia, nitrates, and other nutrients from the water that algae would otherwise feed from.

But biological filtration and beauty are not the only qualities plants add to your water garden. Submerged and marginal plants also provide food, shade, and protection for your fish and other wildlife that live in and around your pond. They also keep the circle of life going by serving as a place for spawning fish to lay their eggs.

Plants don’t even need to be in the pond to be helping out your wildlife. Plants placed around to edges of your pond attract all kinds of animals, looking for shelter from the elements, as well as other predatory creatures. Some blooming plants even attract beneficial birds, insects, butterflies, frogs, and others to your watery paradise.

Plants found inside your pond can also provide some food and shelter to fish, frogs, and other visitors. Water lilies are the most popular of the all the aquatic plants. Their ability to spread a multitude of leaves across the surface of the water and flower throughout the season make them a sought-after addition to the pond. They also provide a great deal of shade from the heat of the summer sun, allowing fish to retreat underneath the shelter of the leaves, and keeping the overall water temperature down.

Now That You Know

Learning a little more about the role of plants in and around your water garden is important to help you better understand the ecosystem you have in your very own backyard. When it comes to keeping plants in your water garden, remember to stay educated and have fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new plants, but make sure you read up on them before adding them to your pond. And before you cut down those long stalks of ornamental grasses waving next to your pond, remember that they could be serving a very vital purpose for the wildlife in and around your pond…keep your eyes open!