One water lily, a few upright-growing plants, and a bundle of submerged plants are enough to outfit a medium-size pond. An increasing number of nurseries and garden centers stock water lilies and other water plants. For a larger selection, your nursery or garden center may be able to recommend a specialist supplier.
When you begin shopping for plants you will find that there are several types of water plants that can be purchased. One type comes planted in a container that will rest on the bottom of the pond under water. The other lesser know type, are the ones that float on the water surface. Some of these varieties multiply like crazy. Purchase only 2 to 3 of these for a medium sized pond, and only 1 for a small size. By the end of the summer you will have plants taking over one end of your pond.
The plants grown in containers are filled with heavy garden soil (not potting soil, which contains ingredients that float). You can buy special containers designed by aquatic plants, or simply use plastic pails or dishpans. Line basket-like containers with burlap to keep the soil from leaking out the holes. Don’t forget that your potting bench can be used to work on your water plants, too. If you are potting a water lily, you will need at least 2 to 3 gallons of soil. Most other water plants, such as arrowhead and wild blue flag, need at least 2 gallons of soil.
After planting, add a layer of gravel on the surface to keep soil from clouding the water and to protect roots from pond fish. Soak the plant and soil thoroughly; then set the container in the pond, positioning it so the water over the soil is 6 to 18 inches deep for water lilies, 0 to 6 inches for most other plants.
For maximum bloom, push a tablet of special water-lily fertilizer into the pots once or twice a month throughout the summer. Most water pants are easy to grow and are carefree. Most of them are tropical and die after hard frost,so you’ll need to replace them each spring. However, there are varieties that will come back each year. Give them a try and I think you will be well pleased with the results. Authored by yard and garden rescue.com