Floating Plants
Floating plants provide shade & shelter for fish and other aquatic life. In addition, they help to reduce algae & green water. Floating plants are beautiful plants, with native water soldiers ideal for ponds/ wildlife planting & water hyacinths/ lettuce ideal for ornamental pools & tub gardens.
Plants
Floating plants can be separated into 2 distinct categories - native & non-native:
- Native plants sink beneath the surface of the water during Winter months avoiding the ice on frozen ponds. Once the water temperature rises in Spring they float back to the surface once again eg water soldiers, frogbit. Ideal for natural pools, wildlife areas & native planting schemes
- Plants native to South America remain floating on the surface regardless of water temperatures & frosts. Although water hyacinths & water lettuce are classed as invasive in tropical countries they are good ornamental plants in the UK. Either treated as annuals & removed to compost heaps in Autumn, or kept in a temperature controlled conservatory or greenhouse for the cold Winter months. Ideal for ornamental garden pools & tub gardens.
Algae Control
Ponds with green water & algae problems are significantly helped with the introduction of floating plants:
- floating plants cover the surface of the pond reducing the amount of direct light to the water
- floating plants float in the water and therefore do not get the nutrients needed to grow effectively through the soil like most plants. Instead they absorb nutrients directly from the water, starving algae of nutrients & light.
Combined with water lilies also reducing light, filtrating marginal plants & oxygenating plants, floating plants help to balance a pond without the use of costly chemicals. In addition, they add an aesthetic beauty & a significant contribution to the wildlife of a pond.
Sales
PCN sell all floating plants loose in polythene bags. It is important to float the plants ASAP and keep bags fully shaded at all times
Water soldier
Water hyacinth
Water lettuce
