Flower on water title. Water lily - water lily, nymphea, beautiful flower, fabulous

A decorative pond is often associated with a decorated shoreline and water lilies, although in fact there are a huge variety of plants that can decorate and complement the water surface. Moreover, if you correctly select the “inhabitants” of a decorative pond, then the pond can become the highlight of a summer cottage that does not require constant care.

Plant oxygenators (underwater)

Almost all oxygenator plants do not perform decorative functions, but at the same time they are the most important "inhabitants" of the reservoir. After all, it is thanks to these plants that a decorative pond can remain clean and well-groomed without additional effort.

Often the leaves, flowers and stems of these plants are under water and only occasionally appear on the surface, so they are often called underwater. The purpose of "underwater lifeguards" is to absorb carbon dioxide and normalize the oxygen balance in their habitat.

The most popular representatives of oxygen generators:

Autumn swamp

Autumn bog is a perennial herbaceous plant, which is partially or completely submerged in water, only small light green leaves are visible above the surface. The swamp propagates in spring or summer using cuttings.

Urut spiky

Urut spiky is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant with thin branching stems of reddish or brown color. Urut reproduces very quickly and is able to displace other plants forming dense clusters.

Hornwort dark green

Dark green hornwort is a long-stemmed plant with green needle-like leaves and a reddish stem. The hornwort grows very quickly and at the same time it is very unpretentious. Propagated by simple division of the stem, it is enough to take a very small piece.

Plants floating on the surface

A characteristic feature of floating plants is the leaves and stems that float on the surface of the water. These plants are an indispensable protection from the sun, they prevent the development of blue-green algae and help create a stable temperature regime in an ornamental pond.

In addition to "rescue" functions, plants living on the surface perform decorative functions. As a rule, these plants have beautiful broad leaves and bright showy flowers.

The most popular representatives of these species:

Azolla

Azolla is a beautiful water plant of the floating fern genus. Its small paired leaves float on the surface of the water, forming large colonies, which in the warm season can grow to a significant size in just a few weeks.

Vodokras

Vodokras is a perennial plant with creeping stems and medium-sized white flowers. Sand or fine silted gravel 4-5 cm thick is suitable as a soil for water paint. This perennial propagates by planting seeds and rhizome segments. It is recommended to plant it in an unshaded place or in partial shade.

water chestnut

Water chestnut or chilim is a fairly rare annual water plant today, listed in the Red Book. Propagation and planting are very simple - just throw chilim nuts into the required place with a suitable depth. If there is not enough fertile soil in the reservoir, then the nuts are planted in containers, and then drowned. An important condition for the existence of an aquatic plant is the absence of large mollusks that eat the leaves of the hornwort.

Wolfia

Wolfia is one of the smallest flowering plants, characterized by green elliptical formations (no more than 1 mm in diameter). This small plant needs good light, but at the same time it must be protected from direct sunlight. Wolfia is not picky about temperature and water hardness, but needs little water movement.

Duckweed

Duckweed, along with reeds, is one of the most common aquatic plants. Duckweed looks like a cluster of small leaves floating on the surface of the water. Duckweed lives in well-lit stagnant or slowly flowing water bodies. Of care, only the periodic capture of a part of the duckweed population should be singled out, since it grows very quickly. Duckweed reproduces vegetatively and, as mentioned above, very quickly.

water hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a flowering aquatic plant distinguished by large oval-shaped leaves and large inflorescences slightly similar to garden hyacinth flowers. The water hyacinth prefers waters with good lighting and high water temperatures due to its tropical origin. Under good living conditions, it can multiply so quickly that it begins to displace other plants from the reservoir, leaving them without oxygen.

deep sea plants

Most of these plants feel great when planted to a depth of 2 meters. The best option for cultivating deep-water plants is to plant them in special containers that are placed at the bottom of the reservoir. When choosing suitable flowers, one should take into account the frost resistance of the plant; this or that flower will be able to overwinter in a decorative pond.

Lotus

Lotus is an incredibly beautiful herbaceous amphibian plant that can grow for several years thanks to its massive root, in which it accumulates nutrients. The lotus owes its popularity to large cream, yellow or pink flowers.

Lotus can be propagated both by seeds and rhizome. Moreover, in the second case, the lotus may bloom the next season. When planting a lotus, it should be remembered that this flower loves clean water, so it is better to sprinkle the bottom of the reservoir with small pebbles and do not forget about periodically cleaning the water. In the spring, if the lotus has grown, it must be cut off, first of all, removing old and dying flowers and leaves.

Aponogeton

Aponogeton is a widespread rhizomatous aquatic plant with large, lanceolate leaves. For development and inconspicuous flowering, this plant requires a water temperature in the reservoir of at least 18 ° C, so it is often planted directly into the water directly in pots, and in the fall they are taken to the basement for wintering.

small egg

The pod is an ornamental aquatic plant in the water lily family. This type of water lily has a powerful root system, so the soil layer at the bottom of the reservoir must be at least 7 cm. For full growth, the egg pod needs two more things: good lighting and clean water. It is advisable to change the water at least 1-2 times a month if it is an artificial reservoir, or install water purification filters and cover the bottom with pebbles to reduce the amount of turbidity in the water.

Nymphaenik

Nymphaeum or marsh flower is a perennial deep-water plant that stands out for its height, which depends on the water level in the reservoir and can reach one meter. Flowers and green leaves resembling a water lily develop on a long stem. The flowers of the marsh flower are more like buttercups and are collected in small brushes. The nymphaeum gives its preference to quiet, illuminated backwaters and shallow reservoirs.

Shelkovnik

The mulberry belongs to the buttercup family and is often found in standing or slow-flowing bodies of water. In artificial reservoirs, it is often used to enrich the water with oxygen, in addition, it adapts quite easily to life on land, which makes it very popular. Silkworm reproduces vegetatively using stem segments.

coastal plants

In order for the reservoir not to stand out from the general design of the summer cottage, it is necessary to take care of a smooth transition between water and land, for this it is necessary to select plants that will decorate the coastal line and help ensure oxygen access under the ice crust in winter.

Bolotnik

Perennial aquatic plant, very hardy. The stems are immersed in water, thin, curved, branched. It grows in lakes, rivers and canals, prefers stagnant or slowly flowing water, but can also live on waterlogged soil - damp hollows and periodically flooded areas.

The swamp is very unpretentious. Light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy clay soils are suitable for cultivation. It needs a well-lit place, but on very hot days the plant can be shaded. For good growth, the depth of the soil when planting should be at least 15-20 cm.

water pine

As a predominantly swamp plant, the water pine grows well in shallow water, but can also grow completely underwater. This plant is very unpretentious and winter-hardy. As a rule, it is planted in growth limiters or in containers with any soil that can be submerged to a depth of 1 m. It grows equally well both in the sun and in the shade.

Iris

Some moisture-loving species of the genus Iris can grow in close proximity to water bodies. They are able to grow in shallow water and in the coastal zone on excessively moistened soils. Most of them grow successfully when the rhizomes and lower parts of the stems are immersed in water. Moisture-loving species include Kaempfer's Iris and Siberian Iris.

Marsh marigold

Marsh marigold is a beautiful primrose of bright yellow, orange or golden colors with a fleshy stem. The plant is very fond of well-moistened soil, so it is ideal for planting near water bodies. In care, the marigold is very unpretentious: any fertile soil, almost any lighting is suitable for it (partial shade is preferable). The marigold propagates by dividing the bush.

cattail

Cattail is one of the most common and unpretentious perennial aquatic plants of the sedge family. Cattail is planted in shallow water, propagation is usually carried out in early spring by dividing the rhizome. After planting, the plant requires abundant watering and good lighting.

All over the world there are thousands of rivers, lakes and swamps, the vegetation in which impresses with its diversity. At the same time, some plants can exist not only above the surface of the water, but also below it. All freshwater plants are unique, but despite the fact that most of them still tend to grow in certain types of water, there are also varieties that feel great in any fresh water.

An example is the common shamrock, which is a valuable medicinal plant. Its petioles begin to grow directly from the root, while each of them is crowned with three large leaves. At the same time, the leaves are completely absent on the stem itself, but its top is crowned with a brush of small pale pink, almost white flowers, resembling stars in their shape.

The most common plants in freshwater

Plants of fresh water bodies, whose names are indicated in this article, grow almost everywhere, but they have many individual characteristics. As an example, we can cite plants that can be seen almost everywhere where there is fresh water - these are reeds, cattails and reeds.

They like to grow in thickets and have many similar features, due to which they are often confused with each other, although they belong to different families. First of all, these are the stems, which in these plants are tall and straight. In some cases, they can even reach 6-9 meters, but this is where their similarity ends. In reeds, there are practically no leaves on the stem; in cattail, the leaves begin to twist in a helical shape already from the base. In addition, the cob of cattail is long and velvety, in contrast to the reed, which is characterized by a fluffy panicle.

Practical benefits

For plants such as reeds, cattails and reeds, accelerated growth is characteristic, due to which their number increases so much that they completely capture significant water areas, gradually devastating them. Largely due to the fact that since ancient times people have adapted the plants of fresh water bodies for various household needs, in particular, for covering roofs, weaving baskets, bags, mats and even ropes, fresh water sources practically do not dry up. The remaining plants simply do not have time to absorb all the moisture and dry up the source.

marshland

In order to find out which fresh water plants are typical for your area, it is enough to carefully study the sources closest to you. For example, the swampy area has received the greatest distribution, which has more than 1000 different species around the world. Nevertheless, in the structure of each of them there are similar features, among which is a trihedral stem with a dense structure, while long, grooved leaves, pointed at the end, depart from each face. A similar leaf structure can be observed in most cereal crops.

The second most common and most similar in appearance to the sedge plant is the rush. It also grows in swamps, however, for this grass, unlike sedge, it is characteristically round. In addition, due to the fact that the stem of the rush is thinner and branches, the leaves, while maintaining a similar structure, are still much narrower than those of sedge and, seeing these two plants side by side, it will be quite difficult to confuse them in the future.

Rivers and lakes

Plants of fresh water bodies, which are characteristic of river and lake areas, are primarily noticeable on the banks. First of all, this is typical for the flowers of the iris, outwardly similar to the usual garden iris. In addition to them, the no less common plakun-grass can grow in the coastal zone, whose purple inflorescences, resembling an ear, immediately catch the eye. Its leaves are similar to willow, but they are characterized by special slots, thanks to which the excess moisture that the plant absorbs is easily removed to the outside.

Poisonous representatives

However, it should be borne in mind that not all plants of fresh water bodies are harmless, because among them there are also poisonous representatives, among which the most common are chastuha and arrowhead. Moreover, the appearance of their leaves is directly related to their habitat. In the event that these plants grow immersed in water, the leaves will resemble ribbons in their shape. If they are located on the surface of the water, then they are held on it with the help of an underwater petiole and a special floating plate. In addition, while on the surface, the leaves of the arrowhead take the form of arrows and begin to fully correspond to their name. Unlike chastukha, which is completely poisonous, people have adapted arrowhead tubers for food.

Plants of freshwater reservoirs, characteristic of the swampy area, are buttercups, which also differ in which they can be both floating and located under water. At the same time, despite the fact that they can be found in other freshwater sources, all buttercups, without exception, are poisonous plants. The most dangerous for humans are:

ranunculus is poisonous;
ranunculus-pimple - forms abscesses on the skin.

In addition, one of the most poisonous plants of modern flora, hemlock, which grows exclusively in swampy areas, can be attributed to the category of poisonous plants that are found in freshwater reservoirs.

The beauty of freshwater plants

Freshwater plants, photos of which can be seen in this article, continue to amaze with their beauty. For example, having seen in a reservoir, few people will remain indifferent to its grace. Her flowers are large.

Opening at sunrise, they close only at sunset. Among the people, the water lily received several names at once, among which the most famous are the white lily and the water rose. Its leaves, which are above the water, are large, large. They are characterized by the presence of a large number of air cavities, but its underwater leaves look like ribbons. Often on freshwater reservoirs you can also meet an equally beautiful yellow water lily.

Plants and animals of fresh water bodies are unique and need constant protection. Due to constantly changing climatic conditions, some of them are on the verge of extinction, while the rest have significantly reduced their population. The only exception can be considered amphibian buckwheat, which, in the event of a reservoir drying up, sheds water leaves and grows new ones characteristic of a land plant.

However, in contrast to the amphibian buckwheat, we can give an example of pondweed, which grows exclusively at great depths and is a favorite place for spawning by most fish. It is imported to some import farms specifically in order to significantly increase the fish population.

A person should do his best to maintain the ecological situation of freshwater reservoirs, reducing harmful emissions not only into water sources, but also into the atmosphere, and also, as far as possible, reduce the population of various plants that reduce the moisture content in reservoirs and eventually lead to their complete drainage.

The benefits of indoor plants living in water are obvious to humans. Dry indoor air, especially in winter, when this indicator reaches critical levels, is harmful to the body and can cause poor health, lower immunity and a provoking factor for the development of diseases. Plants that live in the water help maintain the optimum level of humidity for comfortable well-being without expensive appliances. In addition, they create an atmosphere of natural comfort in the house for a relaxing holiday and recuperation.

This plant, perhaps, should be put on the first place in this list. With a very spectacular exotic appearance, it is absolutely unpretentious and practically does not require maintenance - if there is water, and the more, the better. The homeland of cyperus, similar to the "skeleton" of an umbrella, is the swampy tropics of the African continent. It is most convenient to plant it in a small flowerpot, which, in turn, is placed in a deep tray or a large decorative planter so that the container with cyperus is completely immersed in water. The container can be stylized as a miniature pond.

Cyperus will not be against regular spraying, but will easily adapt to live in adverse conditions. But putting it in the open sun is highly discouraged, direct sunlight is more destructive for it than a persistent lack of light. The plant is quite satisfied with the eastern or even the northern window sill. Drying of the earthen coma is not allowed. Of the mineral supplements, nitrogen will be most useful.

Another moisture-loving guest from Africa, which easily takes root in room conditions and loves water very much. Calla is completely unpretentious in terms of temperature and, despite its southern origin, is not afraid of even cold unheated rooms. Large glossy leaves are decorative in themselves, but when the plant throws out a peduncle with an elegant snow-white veil, it is impossible not to admire it.

However, you should know which callas are suitable for year-round maintenance in a humid environment. All of them are divided into two large, very different groups - rhizomatous and tuberous. It is the first ones, with white bracts, that belong to plants that grow in water. The latter can be of very different colors and have a pronounced dormant period, which occurs in the winter months, and it is at this time that they require fairly dry conditions. Watering at this time should be limited, while the rest of the time, the recommended humidity for their maintenance is 75-80%.

If, after flowering, calla lilies leave the cob to ripen on the peduncle, by the end of summer it will sink into the water, and the seeds that have ripened in it will give new shoots.

The name itself with the prefix "hydro" indicates a plant that lives in water. The birthplace of hydrocleis is the tropics of Central America, where it grows in abundance in warm waters without a fast current. Its shoots are under water and have the ability to grow rapidly, releasing rounded smooth leaves to the surface, as if covered with wax and gradually forming a thick green carpet. At the peak of the warm season, hydrocleis blooms with bright yellow delicate inflorescences that rise 10 cm above the water level. In room conditions, a container of water is enough for this plant, since its stems are able to grow and develop without even reaching the bottom. If they reach the soil layer, they quickly take root, and the shoots grow even more rapidly.

A semi-submerged plant with leaves of various structures, which can grow both free-floating and attached to the ground. It is a herbaceous perennial, some varieties of which are widely used in aquarium culture (eichornia azure, thick-legged, various-leaved). Large, very decorative flowers in a lilac-blue palette rise high above the water and bloom for a very short time, no more than 2 days. The pedicel, after the bud wilts, again descends into the water, where seeds are formed from the ovary. After maturation, they float to the surface.

If the aerial part of the plant is of more interest, and not its underwater part, it is recommended to choose an excellent eichornia. For an aquarium, a multi-leaved variety will be more suitable.

An annual plant of the fern family with tiny scale leaves. Growing rapidly, under natural conditions they form a “plush” carpet similar to moss on the surface of stagnant tropical and subtropical reservoirs. It has floating roots, thanks to which it can grow in a decorative container with water without a soil bottom. In room conditions, Azolla is ideal for growing in close proximity or under plants that require high humidity (instead of an unattractive water pan). The plant has the ability to accumulate a large amount of nitrogen, thanks to which it can later be used for mulching garden perennials or for adding to compost.

Pistia differs from most plants living in water in that in its natural environment it prefers running water rather than stagnant water. But at home it feels great in aquariums. Pistia can be recommended for growing in warm greenhouses with artificial reservoirs. If most plants that grow completely in water become cloudy over time and require replacement of its contents, then this culture, on the contrary, serves as a natural filter for it. The root system of pistia has the ability to remove both organic suspensions and turbidity and heavy salts from water, making it clean and transparent. In regions of natural growth (tropics and subtropics), it is often used in treatment facilities. The plant is often called water lettuce for its resemblance to garden greens.

Pistia leaves can be used for non-standard applications - removing grease stains on fabrics or washing dishes.

A completely submerged plant, very popular with aquarists. The thickets of this grass serve as an excellent shelter for the inhabitants of the aquarium and an excellent substrate for laid eggs, but are of no interest as a decorative indoor culture. At the same time, the urut can serve as a spectacular backdrop for other plantings. The plant is very sensitive to water temperature and not too demanding on light.

An amazing plant that, with sufficient moisture, can grow even in the air. For indoor breeding, it is also interesting that it can grow in rooms that are unsuitable for home flowers, such as a bathroom. True, from time to time it will still have to be taken out into the light, but in no case under direct sunlight. The ideal location would be a bathroom with a window. This is a very ornamental plant, the pink bract that looks like an open fan gives the greatest effect to its appearance. In room conditions, in addition to abundant watering, it requires frequent abundant spraying.

When choosing a tillandsia, you should pay attention to the color of its foliage. The less silver in it, the higher the requirements for air humidity.

A charming indoor flower with the popular name "hair grass", invariably attracting attention with its most delicate filamentous foliage. Isolepsis flowers do not differ in their bright appearance or size, however, against the background of the thinnest leaves, they look very impressive, like rare small pearls. Like all reed varieties, it is a typical inhabitant of swampy areas, loves water very much and requires high humidity. It does not need winter rest, and therefore it is excellent for heated rooms in order to moisten them, but it requires frequent spraying. Grows well in trays with moist substrate or in hydroponics.

This plant can be started even by very lazy owners, since it requires almost no attention at all. We are talking about certain varieties of bamboo that are perfectly adapted to life in water. At the same time, it is able to survive in dry conditions, so nothing terrible will happen if the water evaporates completely for a short time. Another advantage of bamboo is that it tolerates the lack of lighting and can stand at the back of the room, decorating the interior with its exotic shape. For growing a sufficiently high transparent vessel with water. Designers recommend using simple cylindrical glass.

Having a rather modest appearance, calamus is able to effectively revive a home plant collection. It looks especially good in the company of callas or bamboo. Perfect for growing in florariums. It has a light tangerine aroma. Wherever calamus grows, its lower part should always be in water, and air humidity should be maximum. In winter, the need for moisture is significantly reduced, but the complete drying of the earthen coma cannot be allowed even at this time. A signal of excessively dry air in the room is the tips of its hard, elongated leaves that begin to dry out.

If the soil is not depleted, kept in cool, moist conditions, and the bush is divided every 3 years, the life of the cereal calamus is unlimited.

Aquatic plants living in garden ponds are needed not only for decorating the water surface and coastline. Some of them, whose leaves are on the surface of the reservoir, protect its inhabitants from overheating in extreme heat. Others, being a powerful biofilter, purify water from bacteria and harmful impurities. In addition, aquatic plants also serve as food for the inhabitants of the reservoir.

The area of the water surface occupied by plants should not exceed 20% of the total area of the reservoir. It must also be remembered that for the successful growth and development of aquatic plants, it is necessary that the surface of the water be illuminated by the sun for 5-6 hours a day.

Aquatic plants are divided into deep-water, floating and shallow-water.

deep sea plants

The roots of these plants are located in the bottom soil, and the leaves and flowers are on the surface of the water.

Water lily (Nymphaea) - water lily, nymphea, without which it is simply impossible to imagine any pond.

Water lilies are cold-resistant aquatic plants that successfully winter in open water bodies of our climatic zone. Water lilies bloom from about mid-May until cold weather. But the peak of flowering occurs in mid-summer. One flower lives 4-5 days. Faded flowers must be removed with part of the stem. It is advisable to remove old yellowed leaves with brown spots.

The diameter, color, flower doubleness and leaf variability depend on the variety.

The depth of the reservoir necessary for normal growth and development also depends on the variety: 20-40 cm is enough for dwarf varieties of water lilies, 60-80 cm for medium ones, and 80-150 cm for giant ones.

Eggshell (Nuphar)- in our reservoirs, the yellow egg-pod (Nuphar lutea) is mainly used.

Unpretentious yellow capsules grow and bloom in reservoirs even with little light. Egg-pods may well overwinter at a very shallow depth - only 30-40 cm, so they are indispensable for shallow water bodies. The depth of planting egg-pods is 30-60 cm.

The capsules have beautiful bright green leaves, similar to the leaves of water lilies, and bright yellow flowers slightly raised above the water with a diameter of 4-6 cm.

white flower(Nymphoides peltata)or nymphaeum, which received such a name for its external resemblance to a small water lily, is a fairly aggressive plant in a pond. Its growth must be limited, otherwise it will quickly fill the entire space of the reservoir.

The white flower has medium-sized (5-6 cm) round leaves with a slightly wavy edge and bright yellow flowers 4-5 cm in diameter raised above the water with a fringed edge.

The planting depth of the white flower plant is 40-80 cm.

floating plants

For the ability of these plants to effectively purify water, they are called biofilters. Due to the various rosettes of leaves, in which daughter rosettes grow along the periphery during the summer, floating plants look very interesting. They do not need to be fixed in the bottom soil, since all the nutrients floating plants receive from the water, which is absorbed by the roots located in the thickness of this very water.

Frog watercress (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) - a real "janitor" in the reservoir, collecting all the water debris on its underwater parts. The growth rate is moderate.

It blooms throughout the summer with medium-sized white trefoils, slightly rising above the water. Small leaves 2.5-3 cm in diameter are similar to the leaves of a miniature water lily.

The watercress frog overwinters in the form of buds laid at the end of stolons, which in winter descend into deeper layers of water.

Grows equally well in the sun and in the shade. The branch of peripheral rosettes reproduces in early summer.

Pistia stratiotes (Pistia stratiotes)- this heat-loving plant, called water lettuce, is one of the best natural filters that can take excess organic matter dissolved in it from water. A dense rosette of pistia is assembled from dense lowered light green leaves no more than 15 cm high and up to 30 cm wide. Under the base of the rosette there is a long highly branched root lobe.

Pistia grows well in a warm, sunny pond.

In open waters it is not winter-hardy. Winters in an aquarium with warm water, or a container with wet moss at a temperature of +4-5 degrees.

Floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) - a fast-growing floating plant with brownish-green narrow oval leaves 9-12 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. Part of the leaves and long stems are under water. Grows well in both sunny and slightly shaded waters. Feels great in shallow water.

The floating pondweed is propagated by stem cuttings.

Lesser duckweed (Lemna minor) -O a very small plant floating on the surface of the water, consisting of three rounded leaves. Sooner or later, separate "lawns" of duckweed will appear in the pond, but you should not be upset - duckweed grows strongly only in abandoned reservoirs with a high content of organic matter.

Salvinia floating (Salvinia natans)- relic water fern. Textured oval leaves, located on short floating stems, are green or bronze-green in color. Small roots of salvinia are located on the underside of the stems. Prefers sunny and warm waters. It reproduces by spores that overwinter at the bottom of the reservoir.

Shallow plants (coastal plants)

This is the largest group of plants that can grow with varying degrees of soil moisture: some grow directly in the shallow water zone at a planting depth of 5-20 cm, others on heavily moist periodically flooded soils, but without immersion in water.

Calamus (Acorus calamus) - a fast-growing, unpretentious perennial with hard, belt-shaped leaves up to 120 cm high. In the photo, the Variegatus variety, which grows more slowly and has a wide creamy stripe.

Calamus remarkably purify water, are an excellent biofilter. They grow well both in the sun and with significant shading.Planting depth 5-20 cm.

Marsh calla (Calla palustris), marsh calla - an absolutely unpretentious plant with dark green shiny heart-shaped leaves that adorn the pond throughout the summer. In May-June, a rather large white "veil" appears at the calla, which is mistakenly considered a flower. Small flowers of the marsh calla are collected in a short cob. At the end of summer, the calla bears bright red fruits.

In excessively nutritious marsh water, the calla can become an aggressor, therefore, in such cases, its growth should be limited, especially in small ponds.

Grows well in both sun and shade. Planting depth 10-15 cm.

THE PLANT IS POISONOUS!

Three-leaf watch (Menyanthes trifoliata)- unpretentious spectacular perennial with bright green trifoliate leaves. In May-June, pinkish buds appear at the three-leaf watch, from which white flowers with ciliated edges of the petals open. The flowers are collected in racemes up to 20 cm long.

Prefers full sun but tolerates some shade. Propagated by division of the rhizome and seeds.

Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Iris marsh, iris iris (Iris pseudacorus) - a powerful, fast-growing perennial up to 120 cm high. Marsh iris has bright green belt-like leaves and yellow flowers that appear en masse in early summer.

It can grow both in the sun and in the shade, but it blooms poorly in the shade.

At the moment, many varieties with double flowers and variegated leaves have been bred.

Planting depth 10-20 cm.

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)- a very ornamental plant that blooms in early May. Dark green shiny round-heart-shaped leaves with pronounced venation beautifully set off large (4-6 cm) bright yellow flowers with a wax coating.

Prefers sun or light shade. Propagated by dividing the bush at the end of summer or by seeds.

Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Lake bulrush (Scirpus lacustris)- This plant can be found under the name "Kuga". An unpretentious rhizomatous perennial up to 3 m high with narrow, hollow, dark green leaves inside. It blooms in the second half of summer with brown-brown spikelets collected in paniculate inflorescences.

Planting depth 5-20 cm.

Forest reed (Scirpus silvatica)- a plant of our strip, often found in highly humid places. The forest reed has fairly wide light green belt-like leaves collected in rosettes. It blooms in very attractive loose panicles. A good plant for a small pond.

Planting depth 5-20 cm.

Marsh forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris)- perennial fast-growing plant for shallow water. It blooms in summer with characteristic small blue flowers. Plant height 25-30 cm.

Prefers well-lit places. Propagated by stem cuttings or seeds.

Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Pontederia cordata (Pontederia cordata) - A very showy plant with beautifully shaped bright green leaves. It blooms in mid-summer with bluish-purple flowers collected in dense inflorescences.

Prefers well-warmed up by the sun places. In our climatic zone, it is not winter-hardy, as it needs a warm wintering. It is easier to grow it in a container and put it away for winter storage in a warm room.

Propagated by division of rhizomes.

Branching rush (Juncus effusus) is a wonderful fast-growing graceful perennial with long needle-shaped leaves and graceful inflorescences. A good choice for shallow water.

It is noteworthy that in winter, the spreading rush is an excellent conductor of air under the ice of the reservoir. Grows well in both sun and partial shade.

It reproduces by self-seeding. Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Common arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia)- very hardy and fast growing perennial plant. In early summer, it blooms with large lilac-white flowers, collected in dense cone-shaped inflorescences. The arrowhead has very decorative fruits - round cones.

Prefers sunny places. It reproduces by buds, which are formed at the ends of stolons, as well as by seeds.

Planting depth 15-20 cm. With a deeper planting, the arrowhead may stop blooming, and the leaves may lose their arrow-shaped shape.

Susak umbrella (Butomus umbrellatus)- elegant unpretentious enough high (80-120 cm) perennial with narrow dark green leaves. It blooms in loose umbellate inflorescences of pale pink flowers on long bare stems. Flowering continues almost all summer. Grows well in both sun and shade. The common tail (Hippuris vulgaris) or water pine is a perennial unpretentious plant with vertical stems covered with whorls of needle-like leaves. The shoots look like small pine branches.

Prefers well-lit places.

Planting depth 5-10 cm.

Decorative ponds are widely used in landscape design. A mirror pond, a winding stream, an artificial waterfall give the park area or backyard a unique look. Luxurious greenery and flowering aquatic plants create a picturesque composition of a miniature or large reservoir.

Varieties of aquatic plants

Flora living in a reservoir serves not only as an ornament. It acts as a natural filter, absorbing organic debris and bacteria. Maintains purity and transparency of water, saturating it with oxygen. Large leaves reflect the sun's rays on a hot summer day and protect the water surface from overheating.

Turtles, fish, snails and other inhabitants of the reservoir feel good in the shade of sprawling thickets. Features of the ecosystem of a natural or artificial pond depend on which plants grow in the water.

Several groups can be distinguished:

deep sea;
floating;
coastal and moisture-loving;
oxygenators or purifiers.

When choosing plants, you need to consider the location of the reservoir and its illumination. Many ornamental aquatic species need 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow and bloom.

Some species do well in more shaded areas. The water surface occupied by plants should not exceed 1/5 of the total area of the reservoir.

deep sea species

This group includes most flowering plants that take root in the ground and need good sunlight. They are planted in the central part of the pond. The depth must be at least half a meter. Names of water plants used for decorative purposes:

Floating water chestnut - a plant from the Red Book of Russia

floating plants

These species have a developed root system and absorb nutrients directly from the water. They are not fixed in the ground. For them, a small depth is sufficient. Free-floating roots give shelter to small inhabitants of the reservoir. These plants are biological filters. They grow rapidly in the pond, so pruning and removal of excess shoots is necessary. The most popular among them:

Features of building a pond with your own hands at their summer cottage

Coastal and moisture-loving varieties

Grows well in shallow water and along coastlines. Most often they perform a decorative function. The most common of them:

common reed plant

Pond cleaners

Oxygenators are used to purify and filter water. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen and prevent water blooms, preventing algae from actively multiplying. Most of the plant is below the surface. They are used as cleaners.