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Some of the plants that will do well on your pond “shelf” are Marsh Marigolds, Cattails, and Irises. The Marsh Marigold has a yellow flower and will bloom from sometime in April into June. The plant grows wild in swampy areas and only survives in soil that is constantly wet, so in pots sitting on your shelf, it is an excellent choice. Cattails are one of the most familiar plants found in swampy areas. They are very pretty but they also can get pretty tall. There are many different Iris plants, some specifically called pond iris, but many kinds of iris will grow in the water. Check with your garden center. You’ll find that having these plants around your “shelf” will give the added bonus of attracting hummingbirds, dragonflies, and butterflies.

All of the pond plants absorb carbon dioxide and minerals, which helps to stave off algae. Without the plants it would be very difficult to keep your pond water clear, even with a UV Light. I would recommend that the plants be allowed to grow and spread out until about half of the pond surface is covered. You will find that they grow very quickly, and before long you’ll be supplying some of your pond owner friends.

The great thing about many of these plants is that if you live in a cold winter climate as we do, you can just sink the plants to the bottom of the pond in the fall, and then in the spring pull them up again and you’re good to go for another season.