In article , Magwitch writes
Kay muttered:

In article , clokemg clokemg.1nj9k2@
gardenbanter.co.uk writes

Magwitch Wrote:
clokemg muttered:
-

I am planning to put a pond in the garden. After digging out the
foundations for a large shed I have decided that I want to hire a
digger to create the hole. Does anyone have any advice on the
following....

1. Good websites on creating a wildlife friendly pool.-

I got my pond plants from these people about 2 years ago and now I'd
say I
have a fully functional natural pond habitat:



What would you recommend at your top 'wouldn't be without' plants?

Caltha palustris - Marsh marigold. Like huge buttercups early in the
season, big glossy leaves. marginal
Water forget-me-not - Marginal, or shallow water. Spreads well and blue
flowers over a long season.
Water hawthorn - shallowish water - not a native, but worth growing for
the scent.

I'd add to above excellent examples some native oxygenating plants to keep
algae at bay: Potamogeton crispus (curled pondweed), Myriophyllum spicatum
(water milfoil), Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort). I've also got water
hawthorn and it was actually blooming in December this year, I'd thought it
was a native...[/i][/color]

S African, apparently.

but then pheasants were only introduced by the Normans )

These came weighted with a little lead ties so you just drop them into the
water.

Lead? Is that OK in a wildlife pond?

Water lilies (of course). I've got the native Alba ones, but I've recanted a
bit and have a red 'Attraction' and a creamy yellow one called Texas.

James Brydon - purple leaves, coppery pink flowers with rich yellow
stamens.

For marginal plants I'd suggest: Botomus umbellatus flowering rush with
heads of pink flowers,

I've had that four 4 years and it hasn't flowered yet!


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"