Are you thinking about adding something extra to your backyard pond? You may want to consider adding water lilies and other aquatic plants for that added touch of color and visual appeal. Aquatic plants also help the pond blend into the landscape to make it look more natural. Even if you are raising fish, aquatic plants can also benefit them because the plants help filter the water as well as keeping it oxygenated; which will help the fish thrive.

There are several types of aquatic plants that can be planted around and in your pond and a good combination of them will help with the enhancement of your pond.

Floating Plants:

Water hyacinth and water lettuce are the types of plants that float freely in your pond while their roots hang in the water. Other plants like water lilies are planted in pots submerged in the deep parts of the pond while the flowers and foliage float on the surface of the water. Plants that float on the surface of the pond keep algae from forming in your pond as well as help shade the water. The shade helps to prevent algae growth, and provides any fish a shady spot to hide from predators, and to keep out of the sun.

Underwater Plants:

Underwater plants are submerged in the pond and help to filter the water and keep it oxygenated for the fish. They also provide food for your fish as well as a hiding place for them from the bright sunlight and from predators.

Bog And Marginal Plants

Bog plants are planted in the moist soil around the edges of the pond while marginal plants are planted in pots which are submerged in the shallow waters of the pond. Bog and marginal plants are helpful in blending the pond with the rest of the landscape.

The proper plants will not only help to increase your enjoyment of your little backyard oasis, they will also help the pond's ecosystem to flourish as well.