Lovely Lily

Last summer I was given a lily for my pond in an attempt to get rid of the algae that was taking over. I diligently planted it as the books recommended and it promptly disappeared, never to be seen again - or so I thought...Come spring little pads started to appear and the first flower is now here in all its glory.Lilies keep the algae at bay because their leaves are great shade letting the water stay cool slowing down algae growth which worse in warm water.

I inherited the pond when I moved onto my plot and was really in the dark about looking after it so it's been a steep learning curve but I must be doing something right because the newts are back again this year and there are dragonflies all over the place. My boyfriend is a bit more knowledgeble coming from a one pond family (original home of the lily) but, apart from keeping it healthy and ticking over we haven't even thought about the possibilities of more watery planting. Maybe that can be the next challenge...

Comments

[Liz]

I'm really looking forward to thinking about planting the areas around the pond as well with more marginal plants. I'll keep you posted how we get on.
Not sure about fish though - we have lots of herons so I don't know what chance they'd have!

[kate]

Your water lily looks wonderful ... I have a pond too, and it has been quite the learning experience. I have to over-winter my plants in the fridge, which works well.

One of the things that helps keep the algae down to are floating plants which spread like mad and provide some shelter from the heat.

And then there are goldfish ... I bring mine inside every fall and then can enjoy them year round.

Water gardening gets into one's blood, I think ... and there are so many interesting plants to grow as well.