Informal garden ponds | What plants can I put around my informal pond?

What is an informal pond?

Informal ponds are not necessarily untidy, but they have a relaxed atmosphere about them. The edges are usually obscured in places so that the shape is not obvious. Water may disappear under sweeping shrubs, so that the bank is not visible, giving the impression that the water continues into the distance. Such a pond will have plenty of planting around it, and the plants will be as important visually as the water. Although there should be some open stretches of the bank where the water can be clearly seen, especially from sitting areas or from the house, from some directions only a sparkle of water, glinting among the vegetation, will hint at the presence of the pond.

What shape is best for an informal pond?

There is no fixed shape for an informal pond, but, as the name suggests, it should not be a regular, geometric shape. Instead, it should have sinuous, curved edges. Do not make an outline with narrow or pointed inlets, which rarely look natural and are, in any case, difficult to line neatly. A smooth, continuous curve is more appropriate and easier to make and maintain. Because the actual shape will be blurred by planting around and in the pond the exact shape is not particularly important.

What kind of garden is best for an informal pond?

An informal pond will suit a garden where there are plenty of borders and plants, with drifts of herbaceous perennials and shrubs blending into each other. Informal ponds are often set in grass, which is an appropriate edging, although they can be bordered on one side by a path. An informal pond rarely looks right if it is set in an area of hard surfacing, such as paving or gravel, nor should it be isolated, even in grass. Instead, plants should be grown right down to the water's edge, with perhaps a shrub or two overhanging part of the edge, although the branches should not be allowed to hang over too much of the water's surface.

Is there a minimum depth of water that is necessary in an informal pond?

As with all ponds, the aim should be to make the pond so deep that the bottom is not visible, and it is sensible to vary the depth, with marginal ledges about 23cm (9in) deep and a deeper central section to at least 60cm (2ft), so that the pond is suitable for growing a wide range of plants as well as giving fish and other wildlife a variety of habitats.

What percentage of the water surface can be taken up with vegetation?

Although an informal pool will have plenty of planting in and around it, aim to keep at least some of the margins clear of vegetation, with clear water going right up to the bank. Similarly, do not allow the surface to become completely covered with floating plants. Cut back waterlilies and other floating plants so that at least half of the surface area is clear of vegetation.

I have an informal pond. What are the best plants for it?

Any of the plants suggested for a semi formal pond will be appropriate in an informal pond. Although you could limit the planting to a single species, it will be more interesting to have a combination of foliage and flowering plants as well as a mixture of shapes and textures. Tall marginals, such as irises, non-invasive forms of Typha (bulrush) and Carex (sedge), can be combined with lower growing, wide-leaved foliaged plants, such as Calla palustrls (bog arum) and Zantedeschla aethiopica (arum lily, calla lily), with some floating plants, such as waterlilies, to finish off the picture. Low-growing plants, such as Mlmulus luteus (monkey musk) and Myosotls scorpioldes (water forget-me-not), can be allowed to weave among the marginal planting to bind them together.

Removing excess vegetation

Clear areas of vegetation from the pond at least once or twice in the summer by pulling it out with a rake. The plants are rich in nutrients, so put them in the compost bin. Make sure that you do not puncture or damage the liner as you work.