Spring is here and you’ll probably have noticed that the first pond plants of the year are arriving in our stores. Many gardens still have some tidying up left to do after the winter and these two topics are linked. Water gardening generates waste in the form of dead plant material as well as live plants which sometimes need thinning out.

There are plant species which we don’t stock due to their risk to native ecosystems, although some of these rogues have much better-behaved close relatives which can be trusted not to outgrow their welcome. In truth, none of the cultivated strains of pond plants (even the native species) should find their way into the wild. If not passed on to other gardeners, surplus plants and any faded foliage should be placed on the compost heap or in a council green waste collection bin for disposal after any creatures hiding in them have been given an opportunity to return to the pond. 

As many pond plants are vigorous growers, it’s important to choose the right plant for your situation. By selecting a species or cultivar that won’t take over, you’ll substantially reduce the amount of work needed in future years. As smaller varieties take longer to grow, plants such as Pygmy waterlilies may seem initially expensive compared to those more suited to growing in a boating lake, but you’ll be glad of your investment when you have a well-behaved centrepiece which you don’t have to wrestle from the depths every couple of years.

Speak to a member of staff for guidance and take your time, as with many herbaceous garden plants, pond plants have different flowering times and seasons of interest. Choose wisely and you’ll have low-maintenance interest throughout the growing season.