What’s in the Garden Pond
Our garden pond. Comes alive in early Spring when the frogs arrive. Join me to find what’s in the garden pond.
Many years ago when Myra asked a visiting relative if she wanted to see our new garden pond, the response when she saw it was, that’s not a pond, that is a puddle. I still to this day often refer to it as our puddle. However today is my chance to big it up. I will show the marginal plants and those planted nearby which I think look complimentary, oh and also the fish, I would show the tadpoles but my attempts to photograph them failed. The first pond was installed in the garden in 1987. Kenny a friend of our eldest daughter Audra, expertly set it out with a header tank and small waterfall which flowed into the pond below. It was one of those preformed fibreglass jobs, and we were very happy with it. Sadly, Kenny is no longer with us. A few years later we decided the pond should be larger. Well there you see it as it is today. Yes we still got it wrong, the pond is still too small, but I am afraid that is how it is going to stay.
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The first marginal plant to flower is the Lysichiton Camtschatcensis, what a mouthful, others call it the skunk cabbage. The reason for this common name should be obvious but perhaps the offensive odour is only noticeable when planted in mass. Anyway it has been in the same marginal pot for years and continues to improve, pity the leaves get so bloomin big. However when it comes into flower normally in mid April in Aberdeen the blooms itself are only about ten inches tall, and its not until later on in the Summer when the leaves grow very large, about 30″ tall. You know me by now, I keep them in check which doesn’t seem to do any harm, in spite of the photosynthesis thing which we are often told about. This deciduous plant has pure white flowers which you can see and they are not unlike those on the Arum Lily. The RHS were impressed enough to give it their prestigious award of garden merit.
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This other form Lysichiton Americanus starts to flower about a week later and is identical in every way except it is yellow, and the leaves are mottled with a darker shade of grey/green I will give you three guesses as to where it comes from.
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The Geum Rivale (water avens) is another great plant for the marginal area of the pond. It doesn’t exactly jump out at you but has a very pleasing appearance. This one is native to the UK and is the only Geum that can stand getting its feet wet. The orange/peach blooms appear in May and last until July followed by ornamental seed heads. It is said that they like it moist, as long as the roots are not completely submerged in water, well ours are and have been for ten years.
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From the humble buttercup comes the Marsh marigold Caltha palustris. Native to the UK, it makes for a great marginal pond plant. Normally it starts blooming in April,this year it was May before they made an appearance. To be quite honest our pond isn’t exactly situated ideally, facing east puts it rather too much in the shade, however seems like we just about get away with it, although Water Lilies are out of the question, and yes they do grow in Aberdeen, I’ve seen them with my own eyes.
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I often think of planting Iris in the borders, the only thing that has put me off in the past is the very short flowering period. There are some beauties though and I am sure to reconsider soon. In the meantime we have the Pond Iris Versicolour Blue Flag. Planted in the marginal shelf it thrives and flowers every year in late June It grows to a height of about 60cm, a little taller in our shady position.
Mail order
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One marginal plant which does survive but looks like it would enjoy a sunnier spot even more is the Trollius europaeus Superbus. I am not so sure if it is normally grown as a marginal plant, however it has been in this same position for eight years with its roots fully submerged in water. It does flower every year, stretching its stems in search of the sun.
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The last marginal plant which we have is the Houttuynia cordata Flore Pleno. Extremely happy in our pond flowering July/August, the double white blooms are attractive, however its the heart shaped leaves of this one which I am very fond of. The fragrance is said to resemble that of orange peel. Does very well as a marginal plant and the height is approximately 30cm.
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A few goldfish have managed to escape from the Heron since I placed large stones at the bottom of the pond, in a manner where they can hide
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I almost forgot to mention. I always liked the idea of having ducks in a garden pond. Well as you can see with our 7ft x 5ft pond this was not very likely to happen. Imagine our surprise when back in March when the weather was glorious, have I mentioned its not very glorious now,
when it should be, well anyway a couple of Mallard ducks decided to check it out, what a treat.
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Below is a couple of perennial plants which seem to suit the position in a border beside the pond.
Big bold and blowzy is the Filipendula Rubra. Surprised I haven’t featured this one as yet.
Mail order
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Flowering mid Summer is the Rodgersia, very handsome blooms but just look at those leaves.
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Experiments with the camera and the longer shots are still ongoing. The picture below is of a west facing border in the back garden. The shot was taken quite late in the evening, no sunshine, clear visibility. I am pleased with this picture.
This border has had more makeovers than Joan Rivers face. The two arching grasses are Stipa Arundinacea, also two Hakonechloa, two Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens and two Uncinia Rubra in the foreground. There is the hardy Geranium Max Frei at the front of the water feature, with the Flower Carpet Rose Gold at either side of it. There is also two Astrantias, self seeded Foxgloves, a Peony and a Cherry Tree.
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Another little update on the greenhouse stuff
Flowers of the Aubergine Scorpio have been forming. I will keep you updated.
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The tomato plants are getting huge, small fruits are developing, will they ripen? There is also some Gazanias, Pelergoniums and Coleus in the greenhouse.
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Finally something that has been bothering me for some time now. Just behind our garden shed there is a hedge of leylandii. Coming up through this hedge is what I thought was some fast growing tree or shrub saplings, however do you think it may look like Japanese Knotweed.
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Lovely shots from all around the garden Alistair and for such a size of pond you sure have lots going on in it and the water is so lovely and clear……..including those Mallards. With all this awful weather those toads must be having a feast on the slugs and snails in your garden.
I’m not so sure about that being knotweed as we have it nearby and the leaves take on a reddish tint. The council have tried again to eradicate it here so I can’t compare your picture. At first it looked a bit like the leaf of a philadelphus……but I really hope it isn’t that awful knotweed.
Thanks Rosie, I look forward as to whether others may think this is Knotweed.
Hi – did you ever find out if it was knotweed?
Never did find out.
hello Alistair sorry I can’t help with identifying knotweed as I don’t know what it looks like, from what I’ve heard about it I very much hope it isn’t what you have growing,
I think your pond is lovely and dare I say sweet, I’d like to see your relative get that many plants into a puddle, it’s a nice selection of plants flowering at different times and some lovely foliage contrasts,
your west facing border looks lovely again some nice foliage contrast, contrast in colour, texture and shape making it very interesting without flowers so the flowers add touches of highlight,
have you had a lot of wet as far north as you are, here we are still in drought a little rain but nothing much, Frances
Hi Frances, well we haven’t had flooding, too much rain though and only a day here and there which has been reasonably warm. I am happy enough as long as you dont say I am sweet, although you are quite cute yourself.
Alistair – Your pond is bigger than I thought with some really interesting plants. Do you have to top it up because of evaporation?
The Joan Rivers border looks great with those foxgloves. Looking forward to seeing the next makeover.
Did you find that your coelus seeds took a while to germinate? I’ve been waiting since March. Hope it’s not knotweed.
Hi b-a-g, most Summers I top up the pond, no chance of evaporation this year ,so far. The Coleus were small seedlings which the garden centre were selling.
Very nice tour complete with interesting critters. Your small pond gets a lot of action. I like the design of the pond, very pretty.
Thanks Donna, I am now on a quest to find if my frogs are in fact toads.
Alistair I really adore your pond…so many lovely plants and wildlife…what could be better. I planted Houttuynia in my moist shade garden and what a mistake…for me it is an invasive thug even though it is pretty…I do love the scent…too bad really. The long shot of the garden is spectacular with the gorgeous grasses and greens spotted throughout with blossoms and those foxgloves rising against the green wall…lots going on in your greenhouse…my cherry container tomatoes are setting fruit already and we will have tomatoes ripened before I know it with all the sun and heat…even my fickle tomatoes in the bed now have lots of flowers. I am sure you will have tomatoes!
Thanks Donna, I have heard that Houttuynia can take over, perhaps it would do the same here if it weren’t in a container.
See that is the secret I missed…put it in a pot or in a drier area!
I dont know about a drier area Donna, our pot of course is submerged in water.
By mistake I planted some in a shady but dry area. It did not grow well at all so I moved it to a moist area…oh well…I will move it to a pot like the mint.
Good idea Donna.
Absolutely love your pond, small size and all. The yellow skunk cabbage is gorgeous. Unless there is more than one kind of Japanese knowtweed, that is not it. Knotweed is bamboo like and has smoother leaves. Could that be Asiatic bittersweet? Hard to tell from the photo, but if it is, remove it right away. Bittersweet reaches out like a vine but can get quite woody.
Thanks Carolyn, this plant does have stems which are more like bark.
I think it takes a while to figure out which plants will do well in each person’s pond, and clearly, you have figured out what does well, and beautifully. I love the skunk cabbage. But what a dreadful name for something so beautiful. And I’m glad that some of your fish have escaped. Perhaps they will multiply now that they have a place to hide. I laughed at your sentence “more makeovers than Joan Rivers’ face”! ha! That put it clearly into perspective! 🙂
Hi Holley, skunk cabbage is a helluva name.
What a lovely pond area! It has some beautiful plants – I especially love that Trollius. I would love to have a small pond or water feature at some point – the kids would probably have way too much fun splashing all the water out of it if we were to get one now!
I hope your mystery plant turns out to be beneficial, as opposed to knotweed.
Thanks for the visit Indie and I look forward to taking a peek at your blog.
Whoah! New blog look.
I like the shots of the “mouthful-named” flowers. Would also like to have ducks but hindered by the fact that we don’t have a pond and that my wife has ornithophobia. BTW, at the base of your west facing border, are those regular pebbles or crushed seashells?
Hi Bom, that’s a pity your wife has orni–what do you call it! Just regular pebbles in the space beside the west facing border.
Love your Filipendula and Rodgersia. I would love to grow them but they need damp conditions don’t they ? But as I look out the window at yet another deluge, maybe I should try them after all.
I hope your last 2 photos aren’t Japanese Knotweed. I once visited a house where it was growing up through a concrete drive. Have you tried sending a sample away for identification ?
Hi Crystal, Although I have these plants beside the pond they are not exactly in damp conditions but are in a shady spot. I should get the suspected knotweed identified.
Hi Crystal, Although I have these plants beside the pond they are not exactly in damp conditions but are in a shady spot. I should get the suspected knotweed identified.
That pond is a scene stealer! It is beautiful and looks so natural with the plants and goldfish. All of those plants complement it so well. And the ducks are a real extra!
It was good to hear from you. We finally had some hot weather in Seattle. It was 28C for 3 days. Today it’s down to 23C, which I like much better. I was up in the mountains, camping. But it was just as hot. Your pond is perfectly lovely. Skunk cabbage is an old friend. It grows here in every wet place.
23c is perfect Jordan, we get that on the odd occasion.
Fantastic Pond and plants!!!
Hi Alistair, even if your pond is small, it has become a healthy microworld for many inhabitants, and the frogs seem happy. I love their color. That skunk cabbage looks like our Spathiphylum although this has long stems and of course different leaves. The inhabitants of your greenhouse are so healthy too, they look so tropical.
Perhaps the Spathiphylum is related to the skunk cabbage.
I love your skunk cabbage! Your pond is really beautiful and all the different plants make it such an interesting garden feature. I have always wanted a pond but have shied away from such a big project. Perhaps a puddle would do! About your weed, I can’t believe it, but I think I have the same thing( or some very similar American version) in my front garden. I don’t know its name, but I keep getting rid of it, only to have it quickly return. Good luck with yours!
Its frustrating when you have difficulty with identification Debs.
Your pond is not large in size, but it is large in beauty. It is absolutely gorgeous. The plants look perfectly placed and all look to be thriving. I really enjoyed seeing it.
Japanese knotweed–I’m leaning away from that ID–the leaves in your example have serrate margins, and venation is dichotomous, while Jk has pinnate venation and an entire margin. The stems should be hollow on Jk. Good luck with ID, others will know better.
Glad to have you visit Hoov. You are not alone in thinking that it is not JK. I cant remember if the stems are hollow, just off to find out.
Hi Alistair! I think your pond looks great. I like the plants you choose and in particular I like that hottuynia or whatever it is spelled. I’ve never seen it in flower and I didn’t know it could bear so pretty flowers!
In the Joan Rivers border those astrantias are the tallest I’ve ever seen, hu? What do you feed them with?
PS I’d like the widget that recall to the latest post on the commenter’s blog but I can’t activate it anywhere, what is it called?
Hi Alberto, Most years plants do grow taller than you would expect here in Aberdeen, I think they are stretching to see where the sun may be, you should see the height some of the Aquilegias are this year. The plugin or widget you talk of is called commentluv. Open the link below
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/commentluv/
Not sure they’re frogs, they look more like toads to me! At least the one on the left does, it’s very wide and flat.
I love the petite pond (really ‘puddle’ isn’t fair) –beautifully planted. You’ve given me new respect for what is indeed termed ‘skunk cabbage’ here, the yellow one. This native plant volunteers in shady areas around my house, even places that dry out in summer. Shocking to see the white version. What a cheerful meadowsweet you have. I think I must move my shy one into more sun…. Good job providing a bunker for the fish.
Hi Linnie, I think the white version is Asian, but I should have made sure first.
We don’t actually have a pond (no room for one), but what I would love to have is a barrel for a water lily, they’re such beautiful flowers – but currently, I’m not allowed.
Stunning plants and pictures!
Satu from Finland
The pond is looking lovely Alistair!
hello! I’ve just found you by accident but how lucky for me as I’m really enjoying having a mooch around your gardens! your gardens are absolutely lovely and jam-packed with plants and shrubs which is how I hope my garden will be someday. as for the photo of the plant growing behind the leylandii, it definitely looks like a philadelphus to me. as I don’t know when this was posted i’ll assume that you already have identified it by now though. thank you very much for allowing me to have a wander around, marie.
Definitely not philadelphus, Marie.
Great post pond has given a everlasting hassle of leaks. Water. Pondpro2000 is best solution that can face up to it around 12 months. No some other product has this best.
Wow, This garden looks so amazing.