Watery Wonders

If you want a fantastic focal point to your garden, why not add a pond? Martyn Cox looks at the best plants to use for year-round interest

- Martyn Cox

IT doesn’t matter whether it’s a raised pond, a sunken pool or a traditional garden pond, a small body of water is guaranteed to transform your outdoor space. Water makes a fantastic focal point, as it casts reflections and adds movement, while the gentle splish-splash from a fountain will help you unwind after a stressful day.

Yet all too often what could be an awesome feature that will add interest all year round, is let down by poor planting or, in some cases, a complete lack of plants. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. There are loads of watery wonders to suit any style of pond, and following the arrival of warmer weather the garden centres will be fully stocked with plants that can be planted during the spring.

For my money, having a pond is a good excuse to grow a whole range of plants that prefer their roots in water, but there are plenty of other good reasons why it’s worth stocking water features with aquatics. For a start, they help to keep water free of algae, provide oxygen and act like a magnet to all sorts of creatures.