Is the control panel of your Autodose or IonGen exposed to the sun? Did you know that after time, this will cause the panel to be unreadable? Leaving electrical pond equipment out in the elements shortens their lifespan. Rain, sun, snow, and harsh weather can be detrimental to the control panel’s function.
In order to protect your equipment from atmospheric agencies, try hiding them! There are artificial landscape rocks and stumps that can look a heckuva lot like the real thing. Faux rocks come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes; and they keep your electronics safe without drawing attention away from your curated landscape.
Make sure to measure (twice) the height, width, and depth of the equipment you are looking to cover. Then check out The Pond Guy or stop by and chat with our friends at True Pump to see where and what suits your needs. If you’re having trouble finding what you need, give your favorite backyard pond service a call! Colorado Pond Pros will do our best to point you in the right direction.
So, don’t forget to COVER YOUR POND EQUIPMENT to protect and preserve it. And because the supply chain has slowed down these days, order your artificial landscape rocks now, so you’re sure to have it for the winter!
Kristi’s Pond Tips
The sensor for your pond lights needs to remain outside the cover, or the lights will remain on all the time. The light sensor must be exposed to the sun in order to shut the lights off during the day.
Some equipment needs to be put away for the winter: the Autodose and IonGen panels will fare better when kept out of the bitter cold.
Remember to bring the liquid bacteria into the house, too. The freezing weather will kill the bacteria!
A Home Depot bucket is generally a good choice for storage. They have a handle so picking it up shouldn’t be too bad. If there is no handle it will be really hard to pick up later.
The bucket needs to be stored somewhere where it will not freeze.
Bucket, bucket who’s got a bucket?
Don’t put a pump that needs to be stored in water in a plastic storage box not made for water. Imagine setting your pump in the basement into a rectangular plastic storage bin and then filling it up with water right where it sits. Clever right?
Maybe not. How are you going to pick it up in the Spring or get the water out without it going all over your basement? Use a bucket people.
Different pumps may need to be stored differently. This is mostly about keeping the seals and impeller for becoming dry and brittle. How to store a pond pump, see below for specific pumps.
Remember that most ponds with fish need the pump to run all winter.
The waterfall and movement of the water bring oxygen and circulation to the fish.
If you have enjoyed reading about how to store a pond pump, check out other posts below or see our POND BLOGS full of information about all things ponds!
If you aren’t sure if your koi pond pump should run all witner or be removed, contact us at Colorado Pond Pros so we can help! We can answer questions about your backyard pond and offer tips for all seasons. Want to learn more? Did you know that we send out an email every week with seasonal tips for Colorado ponds? We do! Click HERE to find out more.
A recent discussion with a client inspired me to write about responsible water usage. You might not know it, but your backyard pond is an example of responsible water usage! Not only that, it creates a habitat for living things, filters pollutants, has a cooling effect on the space around it, and prevents mosquitos. Read more to find out how!
Water Usage
A well-built pond uses less water than you would use on keeping up a space with the same area covered in grass (especially when we compare it to Kentucky Blue Grass)! A 20 x 20 area that is watered three times a week uses 372 gallons each week or 9,300 gallons a year.
A 14 x 19 pond with rocks and mulch around it holds about 2300 gallons of water. In the summer, that pond will have to be topped off about 2 inches a week (3 inches for four weeks when it is really hot). Which comes to about 248 gallons of water per week for those weeks. That’s 6000 gallons less water used per year! Per pond!
The natural habitat for a wide variety of insects, birds, bees, butterflies, and other critters has vanished and continues to vanish as we build more houses, apartments, and stores. All of these animals and insects are important to the environment at large. Did you know frogs can consume 100 insects in one night? Yes, and these frogs need a place to live. People may not realize it, but many ponds that we take care of provide drinking water to dear, elk, bears, mountain lions, foxes, birds, bees, and other animals. The support the small (and large) ponds in people’s yards give to wildlife is immeasurable.
Look at this wetland with urns. The wetland filters the water for the pond in the picture above!
Pollution
When polluted air comes into contact with water, it becomes part of the pond’s ecosystem. This ecosystem cleans and filters out pollutants. Our ponds help keep our environment clean!
Temperature
A body of water helps cool the general area. Think about the temperature difference between rock or flagstone and pond water. It can be 10 degrees or more! A pond helps keep your yard, and thus the surrounding environment from heating up so badly.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos do not put larvae into moving water. So a pond with good circulation will not encourage mosquitos in the area. However, pots left sitting unused hold water, as do buckets, wheelbarrows, and other things that capture water. Even the smallest amount of sitting water creates a space for mosquitos to put larvae. It takes roughly 8 days to go from egg to itchy bump-causing mosquito. So, if this is a concern, please clean up your yard.
Compared to a concrete fountain
A concrete pond or fountain has the same evaporation rates as a pond. The biggest difference is that there is less environmental support from concrete features as they generally have fewer, if any, plants and support less wildlife. Not to say they don’t support some wildlife!
Become the Responsible Owner of a Backyard Pond!
It’s the only thing to do! Help the environment by installing a backyard pond that you and your family can enjoy for generations. Colorado Pond Pros is just the company to do it!
Have more questions about your backyard pond? We’d love to help! Contact us, your pond experts, for questions or if you’re interested in pond installation or landscaping.
And read our blog for great tips and advice on all things pond!
As the season changes, so do the maintenance needs of your backyard pond. Before the winter cold comes, you’ll need to make some decisions about whether it’s best for your pond to be shut down or leave it winter-ready and running. Make an informed decision.
Winter Ready
Winter ready means you are running the pump and waterfall/stream over the winter. Most ponds with fish are run over the winter. Yes, fish can overwinter when the pond is at least 24 inches (36 is better) and care is taken.
What to know:
When you make the choice to run it all winter, stick to it! Don’t turn it off when temperatures are below freezing. That will freeze the pipes! Moving water doesn’t freeze, so leave the pump on.
If there are fish, there must be a least a hole open when it ices over for gas exchange (no one wants fish to suffocate in their own farts) Put in a floating de-icer to save fish from fart suffocation.
Make sure to clean out the bottom of the skimmer before we go into winter. It will be harder to clean later and gunk can clog the pump.
Do not feed fish once water temperatures are down to 50°.
Do not add regular bacteria when water temperatures are down to 50°. You can add cold water bacteria.
IonGen and Autodose need to be moved indoors for the winter.
If you have a UV light, it needs to be stored inside for the winter.
Pressure filter needs to be set to winter mode.
Aerators need to be moved to an upper shelf for fish health.
During the winter, the system may need to have water added. Evaporation is far less, but when a layer of ice forms, water may need to be added. If the skimmer window can be lowered, lower it for the winter!
Remember, when you pull the hose out and add water, you need to take it off the spigot! If you leave it, there is a good chance your pipes will freeze!
Winter Shutdown
A winter shutdown means you are pulling out the pump for the winter. A shutdown requires that the pond is at least 24 inches (36 is better) and that care is taken.
What to know:
When you make the choice to shut it down for the winter, stick to it! Don’t think you can just turn it on for the day. That will end up freezing the pipes!
If you have fish, there must be a least a hole open when it ices over for gas exchange (no one wants fish to suffocate in their own farts). Put in a floating de-icer to save fish from fart suffocation.
Aerators need to be moved to an upper shelf for fish health.
If there is a check valve it must be opened for the winter or the pipes will freeze!
Do not feed fish once water temperatures are down to 50°.
Do not add regular bacteria when water temperatures are down to 50°. You can add cold water bacteria.
IonGen and Autodose need to be moved indoors for the winter.
If you have a UV light, it needs to be stored inside for the winter
Pressure filter needs to be turned off for the winter.
Remember that when you pull the hose out and add water, you need to take it off the spigot! If you leave it, there is a good chance your pipes will freeze!
The photo above shows a de-icer in a pond, keeping a hole open in the ice for gas exchange.
If these winter-ready tasks are too much for you to do on your own or you have questions, contact us! Did you know we do regular winter care visits for many ponds? We do! It is surprising how care in the winter can prevent issues year-round.
If you have enjoyed reading about choices that need to be made for a winter koi pond, check out other posts below or see our POND BLOGS full of information about all things ponds!
If you aren’t sure if your koi pond pump should run all winter or be removed, contact us at Colorado Pond Pros so we can help! We can answer questions about your backyard pond and offer tips for all seasons. Want to learn more? Did you know that we send out an email every week with seasonal tips for Colorado ponds? We do! Click HERE to find out more.
Get Swimming!
Want to be ready to swim in your own pond next year? Have it installed over the winter! Having a bit of nature tucked into your backyard so you can enjoy it each and every day. Sounds terrific, right? We agree! And we’re ready to answer any questions you have. Or get a custom estimate on installing a swimming pond at your home!
We’re going to keep talking about it! Natural backyard swim ponds are the absolute best. We love designing and installing them for our clients. In fact, we’ve compiled a list of all the benefits that a natural swim pond brings with it. Read on to find out why you’ve got to get one!
Benefits of a Natural Swim Pond
1. No chemicals
Swim without chemicals in a natural swimming pond. The chlorine in a pool can strip the natural oils and moisture from your skin, nails, and hair, leaving you itchy and dry. No chlorine needed here!
2. Environmentally friendly
A swim pond supports the local ecosystem and uses less water to maintain than the same square footage of grass!
3. Gets the kids off the screens!
Ponds, in general, get children outside playing. Would you rather see your children or grandchildren chasing butterflies, dragonflies, and frogs than glued to a screen? Get a pond!
4. Hang-out place
Your house will be the place to have family barbecues and gatherings! Whether it’s family, neighborhood, or business get-togethers, a pond makes for a beautiful place to hang out.
5. The Wow factor
Looking for landscaping that’s not just like the neighbor’s? No one will have the exact same pond in their backyard. Swim ponds are totally unique and customizable to your landscape and personal preference.
6. Year-round beauty
A pond provides year-round beauty! Have you ever seen a waterfall or pond with billowing snow right up to its edges and steam coming off the top of the water? This is the awe a winter pond brings!
7. Decompression
Relaxing by the side of a pond calms the soul. Water is a healing force that can bring peace to hectic days. Have a lot of work stress? Try working on your laptop at your favorite deck chair with a nice glass of iced tea (don’t worry, we won’t tell if it’s actually wine!). If that doesn’t work, you can decompress by chucking the laptop into the pond!
8. Dog heaven
Provide a pond for your four-legged best friend to cool off in. Most dogs love to walk in just a few inches and sit in the cool water.
9. Better sleep
The sound of moving water helps people sleep. Open that window at night to hear the waterfall gurgling and drift off into a peaceful slumber.
10. Aquatic plants
Do you love the lush look of plants? Aquatic plants bring a whole new level to gardening. Would you enjoy stunning water lilies, floating plants, and a green lush oasis all your own? Not only are aquatic plants the filter workhorses for a pond, but they don’t have to be watered!
11. Property value increase
A well-built and beautiful pond adds equity to your home!
12. Artistry
When the team at Colorado Pond Pros creates a backyard swim pond, you have artists working for you! Building a pond is so much more than the equipment and parts. A pond is a work of art! The way the water flows can bring a natural look and an amazing sound.
Get Swimming!
What do you think? Having a bit of nature tucked into your backyard so you can enjoy it each and every day. Sounds terrific, right? We agree! And we’re ready to answer any questions you have. Or get a custom estimate on installing a swim pond at your home!
Have you noticed the water level going down in your feature recently? Remember if you have a long stream, a high waterfall, or a bubbling rock, it could be the wind!
Splashing water can be blown out of the system in these high winds. Give it a few days for the wind to die down, and then see if you are still losing water. If you are, here is a handy guide on how to diagnose a leak.
Diagnosing your water feature—does it have a leak?
Turn off the waterfall for the day or 24 hours (Healthy fish will be okay for this short period of time).
Fill the pond to its normal, full level.
Measure the level of the water in the pond. Measuring is very important! And make sure to measure it from a point that is easy to reach.
Check the water level roughly 24 hours later. Re-measure so you know exactly how many inches of water has been lost overnight.
If the water level didn’t go down at all, the pond is holding water. Now, test the waterfall/stream. Read “Leak Test on The Waterfall Or Stream” below.
If the water did go down, the pond is losing water. Leave the pump off and let it continue to recede until it stops. If you have fish, make sure there is an aerator running. Don’t leave the pump off for more than a few days as the water may start to green up.
Leak test on the waterfall or stream
Do this test if you have first ruled out that the pond losing water.
Leave the pump on.
Measure the level of the water in the pond.
Measure it again in 24 hours.
If the water level in the pond has gone down 1/2″ or more, there is a leak in the waterfall or stream.
What do once water loss has been established
Over 90% of all leaks are from a low liner or folds in the liner allowing water to escape.
Exposing all the liner along the edge of the stream (or pond if the pond was losing water) is a good first step. Pull back the rocks and pull the liner up so that it is obvious water is not getting out.
Do the same leak test again to confirm it is no longer losing water. Once that is confirmed, it can be re-edged.
Re-edging
Re-edging can be difficult. Hiding the liner without causing folds that allow water loss, and making it look good can take some talent!
What if the rocks have concrete between them or there is concrete over the liner?
The freeze and thaw cycle here in Colorado almost ensures that concrete or mortar will eventually crack. If your system is experiencing water loss and there is mortar between the rocks or even concrete over the liner within the pond, it may have to be completely removed to locate the leak.
How do I know it’s not just evaporation?
Evaporation happens all year, and during the hot summer, it may take a little more water out of your system than normal. Are you wondering what is normal?
In Colorado 1 to 3 inches of evaporation within a week is normal. It doesn’t matter how large or small the pond is, 1 to 3 inches of water loss in a week is evaporation.
Leaks can be difficult to diagnose and fix. If you need help contact us and we will send an expert out!
How else can Colorado Pond Pros help you?
We love our jobs and are excited to help you with your backyard pond installation, pond service, and repair! And as the pond experts, we have plenty of advice and info on landscaping as well. Contact us today for help tending to your pond or installing a new one!
Algae is a natural part of a pond, and having less of it is just a matter of getting the pond in balance by using beneficial bacteria and growing plants. People sometimes report that they didn’t have the problem the year before but they do now, and they want to know why.
Certainly, we don’t want the algae to get the upper hand, but if it pops up, it is normal. Why it came up this year versus last year is basic—there were excess nutrients in the pond.
String algae can really get crazy! It looks stringy under the water, but when it floats on top it looks globby or slimy.
In this picture, you can see there is some fuzz on the rocks. (The lilies are growing quite nicely and have had some gorgeous blooms, though it was too early in the day when the picture and the lilies hadn’t woken up yet!)
Solutions:
First, don’t freak out! Continue adding bacteria, and wait for it, and the plants, to wake up and get going. Remember, there is no magic wand when it comes to nature. Help get your pond in balance by following our advice. You can also take a flat broom or skinny rake and get the algae out when it becomes too much, but once the pond is in balance, algae won’t be so much of an issue.
After a few weeks, you may need to consider other options:
Ask yourself, how often are you feeding the fish? If we feed too much in the spring the system has a harder time processing the nutrients. You may be able to cut that in half. We all like to feed our fish and the more we feed them, the more nutrients are in the pond. If you want to talk about how often you are feeding them, give us a call.
More plants use up more nutrients in the pond. Putting a new small plant in will not fix the problem, but adding plants that will grow larger and larger every year will help in the long run. Planning ahead and cultivating a variety of plants with multiple colors and textures will help use up more nutrients, and they will grow to mature plants in a couple of seasons. Make sure you get Zone 5 plants so they will overwinter here in Colorado.
Provide more shade for your backyard pond in the heat of the summer. More plants add more shade. Lilies are great for shade. However, if your pond is too deep or too shallow for lilies, floating plants are a great option. There are floating islands, hyacinth and water lettuce that readily propagate on their own. They do not overwinter but provide great shade in the meantime. If they tend to go into the skimmer, tie them to a rock with some fishing line. You will hardly be able to see it. They use up excess nutrients too!
***Another way to provide shade is simply to put up shade. We have a patio umbrella that we use to give the pond more shade.
Consider water loss. If the string algae is really going nuts, do a water test to confirm you aren’t losing water. Sometimes too much freshwater can cause string algae to flare up. Here’s a link to a leak test!
If there is no leak, you could use an Iongen. An Iongen releases copper ions into the water and they adhere to the string algae. This kills it off. Caution must be taken as the Iongen will hurt floating plants and potentially fish. Make sure that if you have fish you follow the directions exactly and keep it at a low level.
What about Barley Straw?
We often get questions about barley straw. Does it really work and what is the best way to use it?
Barley straw is really just a straw that gives off a particular strain of beneficial bacteria as it composts. This bacteria is excellent at keeping down algae! It is completely safe for fish and animals.
The best time to put in barley straw is in early spring because it can take 4 weeks for it to start breaking down. The good news is that once it begins breaking down, it will work in your pond the whole season.
How to use barley straw:
To use this treatment effectively, you’ll need to:
Calculate the gallons of water in your backyard pond (If you don’t remember how to do that, Click HERE for the formula.)
Obtain a “bale” (the bales are small, not like a bale of hay) of barley straw. These can be ordered over the internet and come in a variety of sizes from 6 ounce to 1 pound. They are usually 9–12″ x 5–6 ” and come in a mesh bag.
Follow the instructions as far as how many bales for your size pond. Normally, it takes 1 or 2 bales placed near the waterfall or aerator.
Remember, adding barley straw to a pond system out of balance will help, but it will be far more effective as a preventative measure in a pond that has all 5 elements of a healthy pond.
Alternatives
You can also purchase barley straw extract. This works, although we like that the actual straw is like a slow-release treatment.
Have you used a POND GUMMY? These guys are great! It comes in this little yogurt-like container and you peel off the top and put it in the BioFall or Skimmer. (Don’t smell it!)
Pro Tips:
Slow down on the fish feeding.
How often are you adding bacteria? Once a week at least!
Be patient! The pond may go through a spike in algae even after a cleanout. Keep dosing with bacteria as it comes back into balance.
Have more questions? Like, how to take care of Koi pond algae? Give us a call! We are always happy to discuss making your backyard pond even better. We also have a pond blog to give you more information than you ever thought you needed to know!
These are not in the order of what we like best because we love them all! Really, picking just 10? Ridiculous!
Remember on the Colorado Front Range we are in Zone 5. If you are in a valley or in the mountains you may be in Zone 4.
#1 Marsh Marigold
This is the plant that will bloom first in your pond when everything else is barely even green. We recommend putting three in various areas around the pond edges to enjoy the spring blooms. When they are done blooming, they will be a nice green and other flowers around the pond can take the spotlight.
Height
This comes in several varieties so read the tag when you are purchasing it. They could be small 6-inch plants or 1 to 2-feet tall.
Blooms
Early spring
Color
Yellow blooms
How to Plant
Take out of the pot it comes in, and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. The water level should be at the same level or barely below the soil level.
Hardiness
Zones 3 to 7
Other Info
It could be referred to as a Caltha cowslip. The scientific name is Caltha palustris.
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there, and it will come back in the spring.
#2 Chameleon (or chordata chameleon)
Height
6 to 12-inches
Blooms
We like this plant for the leaf colors, and it can bloom with tiny white flowers in the summer.
Color
This plant has variegated leaves. They come in pink/red and green or white and green.
How to Plant
Take it out of the pot it comes in, and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. This plant’s root ball should only be 1 to 1 ½-inches into the water. I find it does best on the sides of a stream because the water level never fluctuates. If put on the side of the pond the water level may go down a bit and it won’t get enough water.
Hardiness
Zones 5 to 8
Other Info
We love this one in a stream or at the edges under a bridge because it will fill in on its own and looks really good!
It will put out runners to spread, but we’ve never had it be invasive.
These variegated leaves give texture and dimension to the plant life.
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there and it will come back in the spring.
This is another photo of a chameleon plant that has more red.
#3 Creeping Jenny
Height
1 to 2-inches and 12 to 18-inches spread per plant.
Blooms
Small yellow flowers
Color
Green with yellow flowers
How to Plant
Take it out of the pot it comes in and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. This plant’s root ball should only be 1 to 1 ½-inches into the water.
Hardiness
Zones 4 to 10
Other Info
Creeping Jenny is excellent for softening rocky edges. They can be planted outside the pond close to the edge and then just inside the pond to really create a soft edge.
It is sold as an aquatic plant and a terrestrial plant. They look a little different, but they are the same plant! It is being planted in water versus soil that makes them look different.
These come back every year and should be planted everywhere. They will drape over rocks, too.
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there and it will come back in the spring.
#4 Cardinal Flower (Red Lobelia)
This slender plant brings spikes of crimson to brighten up the whole landscape. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies too!
Height
Can grow as tall as 36-inches. Can spread 12-inches per plant.
Blooms
Summer
Color
Tall green with red flowers
How to Plant
Take it out of the pot it comes in, and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. This plant’s root ball should be placed so the top inch is out of the water, but it usually does okay if deeper. Even 1 to 2-inches below the waterline seems to be fine.
Hardiness
Zones 5 to 11
Other Info
These look fantastic in a wetland, along the side of the pond, or even in a good place in the stream.
Make sure not to plant them where they may block the view of your backyard pond.
These are great for supporting dragonflies, frogs, and other local wildlife.
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there and it will come back in the spring.
#5 Purple lobelia
Spikes of bright purple? YES! We’re in. This plant is very similar to the Cardinal Flower. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Height
Can grow as tall as 36 to 48-inches. Can spread 12-inches per plant.
Blooms
Summer
Color
Tall green with purple flowers
How to Plant
Take it out of the pot it comes in, and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. This plant’s root ball should be placed so the top inch is out of the water, but it usually does okay if deeper. Even 1 to 2-inches below the waterline seems to be fine.
Hardiness
Zones 5 to 10
Other Info
These look fantastic in a wetland, along the side of the pond, or even in a good place in the stream.
Make sure not to plant them where they may block the view of the pond.
These are great for supporting dragonflies, frogs, and other local wildlife.
Plant them in bunches together to give a giant bush of loveliness!
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there and it will come back in the spring.
#6 Forget-me-nots
These sweet flowers are a favorite for smaller ponds. They can get lost by a larger one if it’s not close to the viewing area. This is a great plant for a partly shady pond.
Height
6 to 12-inches tall, 12 to 24-inches spread
Blooms
Late spring until frost
Color
Light blue/lavender flowers with yellow middles
How to Plant
Take it out of the pot it comes in, and put its root ball between rocks. Put other small rocks around the root ball to secure it. This plant’s root ball should be placed so the top inch is out of the water.
Hardiness
Zones 4 to 8
Other Info
Forget-me-nots soften the look basically anywhere.
They will do okay if the water level goes down a little bit, as long as they can reach the water.
You do not need to bring it in for the winter. Just leave it there and it will come back in the spring.
#7 Bulrush
This plant is an excellent plant for a wetland. We would not put it in a stream or somewhere that it could go nuts.
Height
3 to 4-feet
Blooms
No flowers
Color
Green
How to Plant
Keep it in a pot when you plant it. You should probably put it in a larger pot than the one it comes in. If you are putting it in a wetland, you can plant it without the pot and it will spread. It is an excellent filter! How do we know this? Because Mother Nature uses it all the time!
Hardiness
Zones 4
Other Info
Do not plant this unless it is in a wetland. If planting in a pond, only do it if you are willing to monitor it!
Once these things are growing well they will keep coming up every year. They can be cut back in the late fall.
Sometimes people can’t tell the difference between cattails and bulrush when the cattails aren’t in bloom. The way to tell is the little brown thing at the very top of these stems. They develop in the summer. Additionally, cattails have flat leaves, whereas bulrush has round stems.
#8 Black Magic Taro (Elephant ear)
Looking for an annual that is completely worth it? This is it! This annual plant will not come back next year, but it will bring stunning beauty to your backyard pond this year.
Height
2 to 3-feet tall. The leaves themselves can get up to 3-feet long! They will cover a 2 to 3-foot area once they get going.
Blooms
No flowers
Color
Purple/black (they have varieties of Taro that are green or variegated green too!)
How to Plant
Plant this in a large pot, even a 5-gallon pot with holes in it or a mesh pot. It can be 1 to 6-inches into the water. It likes partial shade but will usually do okay in the sun, too. Be sure to read the directions that come with your specific Taro.
Hardiness
Zones 8 – 11
Other Info
We love this plant! We love all taros! They can really be stunning in a pond.
We recommend putting them on the edges of a pond or even in a wetland.
Make sure if the pump is turned off for more than a little while that they are moved to a place that keeps them wet!
#9 Sweet Flag
This grassy-looking plant.
Height
24 to 36-inches
Blooms
No flowers
Color
Green and white variegated
How to Plant
Can be planted in full sun to shade. Plant about 6-inches deep. Can be placed between rocks as it will fill in nicely. Also can be planted in a wetland or at the edges of a pond or stream.
Hardiness
Zones 4–11
Other Info
Really great for supporting local wildlife.
#10 Lotus
Alright, there is a lot to know about Lotus, but we will try to keep it simple. There are many varieties of lotus.
Height
They come in all sorts of heights, but typically 1 to 3-feet.
Blooms
Summer to frost
Color
Stunning flowers of every color are available.
How to Plant
Lotus prefer water that isn’t moving. If you have a protected area in the pond that doesn’t move much and isn’t crowded by other plants, this could be a great space for a Lotus. Read the directions for the specific lotus you get as the pot may need to be quite large depending on the variety. It needs to be a deep pot, not shallow, or they will jump out. Don’t plant directly in the pond or they could take over. Make sure the tubers are at least 18-inches deep.
Hardiness
When you purchase Lotus, look for Zone 4 or 5 so they come back the next year.
Other Info
These guys need at least 6–8 hours of sun a day, so don’t put them in the shade.
If you purchase it bare-root, try letting the tuber float in the water for 1 ½–2 weeks in a warm place before planting it. The warmth helps get them started.
The flowers want all the attention so they grow up above the leaves to stand out and show everyone how beautiful they are.
The flowers will be open during the day but will close mid-afternoon.
Each flower lasts for 3–5 days. Once it dies back the seed pod will remain. This seed pod should eventually drop into the water and start a new lotus.
The first leaves of a Lotus look similar to a water lily. The later leaves will stand above the waterline (unlike a water lily).
Lotus leaves have a natural water-repellant quality to them, even more than lilypads. Drop water onto it and you will see what we mean.
In the fall, cut back the foliage and lower the pot to 24 or 36-inches for the winter, if possible. Bring it up in the late spring.
There is a lot to know about growing Lotus, but once they bloom, it will have all been worth it!
Where can you get these and other plants?
Aquatic plants can be purchased during the second week of May or right at Mother’s Day. If you wait until mid-June or later all the good ones may be gone.
We carry some (not all of these) in May. To keep costs down, we suggest putting them in during a service call. When you get them from us, they will cost a little more because we are planting them for you, too. We bring gravel to help and we know where to put them. If you would rather do it yourself, that’s fine, too…keep reading!
Alpine Koi & Reef in Fort Collins has great plants! They have many lilies and Lotus, too. Their lilies often come in large pots so you don’t have to repot them. Looking for fish? They have lots of those as well.
The Flower Bin Garden Center & Nursery Are you in Longmont or close by? The Flower Bin will have aquatic plants. These will need to be taken out of the pot and either put directly in a pond or repotted. Their lilies are fine, but they need to be repotted.
Check out Floating Water Hyacinth and Floating Water Lettuce. Also some of my favorites for different reasons.
We LOVE water lilies. If you love lilies or have questions about them click HERE for more info.
How can Colorado Pond Pros help?
If you’re still on the fence about what pond plants to get or whether you need them at all, give our blog, Does a Pond HAVE to Have Plants, a read, and learn more about why pond plants are so important to your backyard pond’s ecosystem.
Does a pond have to have plants? Of course not! If you prefer a very rocky backyard pond, with no lush, green beauty and dirty water, then the pond definitely does not need plants…Alright, no need to get snarky. But who doesn’t love plants??
Do the two pictures above even look like the same pond? They are! This is Kristi’s pond before it had any plants and after they had grown in. Even without landscaping, it was a handsome pond; but plants don’t just provide beauty, they are an integral part of a healthy ecosystem. Plants are a workhorse essential for healthy water.
Why Plants?
Because they filter the nutrients out of the water that would otherwise feed algae!
It’s about more than just beauty
Aquatic pond plants bring a new level of beauty to any pond, but they are much more than just good looks. Plants are the natural workers of a pond ecosystem. They use the nutrients that the fish are adding to the water (think fish poop!) and become living filters. Even if the pond doesn’t have fish, there are other nutrients in the pond that, if left alone, algae will swoop in and use.
How many plants does a pond need?
40–60% of the pond’s surface area should have plants. Even when there are skimmers, Biofalls, and pressure filters, plants are still the best filtration for a pond.
What kind of plants do I need?
Having a variety of plants in your pond not only looks better but helps filter better as well. That means less maintenance! As each plant has different foliage, length roots, and flowers, they use different parts of the nutrients. And they are heavy feeders right before they bloom.
What about shade?
Sun and shade are very important for the pond and the fish. A very sunny pond without plants is highly likely to have a lot of algae. Plants provide shade which helps regulate the temperature swings in the pond. As it gets hot, the shade will keep that pond much cooler than it would be without the extra help. There are aquatic plants that love full sun, and there are those that prefer part sun or even shade.
Size matters!
When purchasing aquatic plants, remember to read the label carefully and look for the size it will be as a mature plant. If your pond is 4 feet by 5 feet, a plant installed in the very front of the feature that grows into a 3-foot tall bush will block your view of the pond. Conversely, if the pond is not near your sitting area, small plants may not be big enough to be enjoyed from the deck.
Pond Plants Are Not Difficult To Care For
You don’t have to water pond plants!
Lilies may need fertilizing, but the other plants don’t. Nutrients in the pond fertilize the plants, especially if there are fish.
Pro Tips:
When you purchase plants make sure you look at the Zone on the card to know if theses plants will return the next spring or not. Most areas in Colorado ,on the Front Range are in Zone 5.
We LOVE water lilies, but water lilies alone are not enough for good filtration.
The sensor for your pond lights needs to remain outside the cover, or the lights will remain on all the time. The light sensor must be exposed to the sun in order to shut the lights off during the day.
Slow down on the fish feeding.
How often are you adding bacteria? Once a week at least! 
Be patient! The pond may go through a spike in algae even after a cleanout. Keep dosing with bacteria as it comes back into balance.
Check out Floating Water Hyacinth and Floating Water Lettuce. Also some of my favorites for different reasons.
We LOVE water lilies. If you love lilies or have questions about them click
When you purchase plants make sure you look at the Zone on the card to know if theses plants will return the next spring or not. Most areas in Colorado ,on the Front Range are in Zone 5.
We LOVE