The Role of Plants in Your Water Garden
Let's face it. Water gardens really wouldn't be gardens if they didn't have plants. Most of us add aquatic plants to our ponds because of the beauty they bring to the scene. And while plants do improve the aesthetics, they also play an important role in the function of our pond ecosystems. So, while you're lazily relaxing by your pond, the aquatic plants are busy fighting algae and keeping your pond balanced and healthy.

A Little Biology Lesson
Water Plants provide valuable biological filtration by removing excess nutrients from the water that algae would otherwise use to feed on, resulting in green water, string algae, or both. But algae control is not the only way plants help your water garden.

Submerged and marginal aquatic plants also provide food, shade, and protection for the fish and other wildlife that live in and around your pond, and they provide a place for spawning fish to lay their eggs. The plants don't even need to be in the pond to help the wildlife. Plants that are placed around the edges of your pond attract birds, insects, butterflies, frogs, and others to your watery paradise.

Water Chemistry
Certain types of aquatic plants are better at using the available nutrients in the pond. Water hyacinth and aquatic mint are two great examples of this. And location is important too. Some plants prefer (and thrive in) specific areas of your pond. For example, some plants do better in moving water because they like the high oxygen levels and nutrients flowing past their roots, while others don't like water movement at all. This is why it's always best to select a variety of plants and become familiar with the conditions in which they grow best.

Shopping for Plants
When it's time to go shopping for pond plants, keep the following tips in mind and you'll be ready for the spring planting season.

Are the water plants "hardened off" or conditioned to the cool spring temperature? You'll want to know whether they're coming straight out of a hot greenhouse or whether they've been exposed to cooler temperatures. This can make all the difference in early spring as to whether a water plant survives or dies.
What water temperature have the pond plants been growing in? Again, this question is necessary since you'll want to reduce the shock to the plant as much as possible.

Provide the salesperson with some assistance in helping you by knowing where the plants are going – sun, shade, water depth, still water, moving water, etc.

Now That You Know Learning a little more about the role of water plants in and around your water garden is important to help you better understand the ecosystem you have in your very own backyard. When it comes to keeping plants in your water garden, remember to stay educated and have fun. Don't be afraid to experiment with new pond plants, but make sure you read up on them before adding them to your pond or water feature. And before you cut down those long stalks of ornamental grasses waving next to your pond, remember that they could be serving a very vital purpose for the wildlife in and around your pond ... keep your eyes open!

Did you know that some aquatic plants are even edible? The pollen and flower stalks of cattails, for example can be eaten raw or steamed. Tropical water lilies, lotus, watercress, lemongrass, taro, and water chestnuts are a few of the many other plants that can be consumed.