Plants and Animals:
The growth and popularity of water gardens the business of water plants and aquatic life has sprung into many gardening centers as well as online stores. The Water Lily and the Koi are the most popular choices of plant and fish for these ponds. Other popular choices included mosses, frogs, ferns, turtles, and visits from migratory birds!
If your water garden is well planned, and creates an ecosystem, other natural plants and wildlife will gravitate to the area. This may not always be the desirable outcome. Sometimes wild animals like feral cats or foxes may look at the fish in your pond as a free meal, but the marginal plants may also attract stunning hummingbirds and other soothing song birds!
Gardening always involves balance. As your fish or plants die or produce waste, they can cause your water garden to have toxic chemicals. Netting is a simple solution to protecting your fish, as well as collecting debris before it sinks in your pond. Netting is a good solution, but can be dangerous for visiting ducks, which can get stuck!
Water garden plants are rated by the USDA according to their time zones. Marginal plants are plants that bury their roots near or in the water, and are rated for zones 4-11. These plants can survive temperatures ranging from below zero to super hot summer days. These will give your water garden height and beauty, creating privacy and adding color from the stunning blooms!
Water lilies are the most popular choices for surface water plants. The wide range of colors creates a beautiful touch of color for your setting. They may seem more expensive when purchasing, but remember they propagate very quickly.
Submersible plants are important for oxygenating the water. This type of plant is a very important part of your water garden, similar to plants placed in aquariums.
Koi are the popular fish choice for water gardens, and though they are bred and developed from wiled carp, they must be coddled in captivity. Make sure you understand the needs of the fish you place in your garden, and keep the pH balance level and temperature appropriate!
Even though Koi and other types of fish chosen for ponds were developed from carp which flourish in the wild they must be coddled in captivity. Find the specific needs of the types chosen and provide them with pH levels and temperatures which keep them healthy.