aquatics keeping ponds and aquaria without harmful invasive plants

8/7/2019 AQUATICS keeping ponds and aquaria without harmful invasive plants

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Keeping ponds and aquariawithout harmful invasive plantsA guide to plants you can usein place o invasive non-nativesSupported by:


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2 KEEPING PONDS AND AQUARIA WITHOUT HARMFUL INVASIVE PLANTS 3A PLANTLIFE / RHS GUIDE

Keepingponds

and aquariawithoutharmful

invasiveplants

Some aquatic plants can quickly outgrow their

space and cause you and our environment problems.As they are not native here and lack the normalcontrols that keep plants in check, they can spreadquickly and become invasive. The impact they canhave on aquatic habitats, like rivers and lakes, andtheir wildlife, is extensive and can be irreversible.

Some of these invasive non-native plants mightbe straightforward for you to keep in check inyour pond or aquarium if you can tend to themfrequently, but in the wider countryside, where suchweeding effort is not feasible, these plants can causeproblems for native plants and animals. Trying toget rid of problem plants from natural habitats,especially important nature conservation sites, isexpensive and difcult. Often complete eradicationof such plants from the wild becomes impossible, andmany hundreds of thousands of pounds are spenteach year in an effort to limit their spread.

Other invasive non-native plants can cause you difcultiestoo. They may quickly outgrow their space and re-growfrom tiny fragments, so that no matter how hard youtry to eliminate them, they keep on appearing.

At the moment, invasive plants are still available to buy fromsome garden centres, aquatics centres and other plant retailers.Well-meaning friends giving you their excess pond plants mayalso pass invasive species to you.

Make sure you know what you are buying and take

care before accepting plants from friends!

These websites provide more information about invasiveplants that you may have in your garden pond or aquariumand how to remove them if you wish to:

Plantlife - www.plantlife.org.ukRoyal Horticultural Society - www.rhs.org.ukNon-Native Species Secretariat - www.nonnativespecies.org

Alternatively, you can contact Plantlife on 01722 342730.

This guide, produced by the wild plant conservation charity Plantlifeand the Royal Horticultural Society, can help you choose plants thatare less likely to cause problems to the environment should theyescape from your pond or aquarium. Even the most diligent sh- orpond-keeper cannot ensure that their plants do not escape into thewild (as some non-native invasive plants can re-grow from a tinyfragment of plant just 5mm long), so we hope you will nd this helpful.

There are laws surrounding invasivenon-native plants. Dumping unwantedplants in local streams or ponds is anoffence. Government also has powers toban the sale of invasive plants. At thetime of producing this booklet there wereno sales bans, but it is worth checkingon the websites below to nd the latestlegislation that may be relevant to you:

Department for EnvironmentFood and Rural Affairs - www.defra.gov.ukScottish Government -www.scotland.gov.uk/invasivespecies

The invasive plant Floating Pennywortcompletely smothers the River Wandle in 2008


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4 5A PLANTLIFE / RHS GUIDEKEEPING PONDS AND AQUARIA WITHOUT HARMFUL INVASIVE PLANTS4

How to use this guideYour choice of plants will often reect what you want the plant to do for example, provide oxygen or cover for sh, hide pond liners or aquariapumps, or add a splash of colour to pond margins. We have identied plantsthat will do the jobs you need but that are less likely to cause problems to theenvironment, should they escape there, than invasive non-native plants.

Each section is illustrated with an example of a damaging invasivenon-native plant that should be avoided. The recommended plantscan do the same, or similar, jobs to these (and other) invasive plants and wehope youll be able to try the recommended plants instead.

Some of the plants we suggest may be available only in the peak season fromMay until September. We appreciate that this may not be ideal for your needs,but if you are able to wait you can help to protect our environment.

CONTENTS Our suggested plants are divided into four sections PAGE Submerged & oxygenating plants 6- ood, shelter and oxygen or fsh and invertebrates

Floating plants 8- attractive owers and oliage, great algae suppressors

Plants for pond edges 9- plants or colour ul margins and hiding pond liners

Bog garden plants 12 - stunning owers and oliage or wet and boggy areas

Cultivation chart & index 14

KEY TO SYMBOLS

Symbols under each plant entry highlight particular conditions the plantrequires (for example, nutrient rich water) or is able to withstand (such aslow light conditions). A plant with no symbols is able to cope with a rangeof conditions. Flowers and foliage symbols indicate particularly attractivefeatures of the plant.

The index at the back of this booklet provides full details of eachplants cultivation tolerances.

Caring for your pond or aquarium

Ponds in the wild gradually become overgrown by native plants andturn into marsh, wet meadows, or bogs, as part of a natural process(succession). So, no matter which plants you use, you should expectto have to manage your pond/aquarium by weeding and thinning atregular intervals. Plants for pond edges in particular should be plantedin a basket, and may need regular thinning.

ALL unwanted plant matter should be disposed of responsibly. Compostor throw unwanted plant matter into your green waste bin collectionor take it to your local recycling centre. The Be Plant Wise website hasmore information about safe disposal of excess plant matter:

www.nonnativespecies.org/beplantwise

Tolerant of shade/ low light levels

Needs sun Needs acidconditions

Needs alkalineconditions

Needs nutrientrich conditions

Needs nutrientpoor conditions

Producesattractive owers

Producesattractive foliage


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Submerged &oxygenating plants

INVASIVE- AVOID ME!Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrots-featherN.B. sold under a number of other names too, including:Myriophyllum brasiliense, Myriophyllum proserpinacoides, Brazilian Water-milfoilThis invasive oxygenator harms native aquatic plants andanimals by cutting out light and causing large uctuationsin oxygen levels. It can also increase the risk of localooding by blocking watercourses and drainage channels.

Submerged &oxygenating plants

Callitriche stagnalisCommon Water-starwortPerennial with narrow, opposite submerged leaves thatbecome broader in the open air. The owers are small andinsignicant, borne in summer.

Eleocharis acicularisNeedle Spike-rushRhizomatous perennial to 10cm with rush-like leavesand owers in spikelets to 5mm (not produced when

submerged). Provides good hiding places for sh fry.

Ceratophyllum demersumRigid HornwortLow light requirements make this a good choice fo r aquaria.Perennial with stiff stems eventually growing to 1m ifleft unchecked. Leaves dark green and forked into linear,toothed segments. Prefers quite n utrient rich water.

Fontinalis antipyreticaWillow MossAttractive evergreen moss lacking proper roots with shootsto 15cm long and tightly packed leaves to 5mm. Its prettyleaves can help hide aquaria pumps.

Myriophyllum spicatumSpiked Water-milfoilPerennial with whorls of deeply divided leaves borneon stems to 1m or more. In summer small reddishowers are carried just above the water. Stems may not dieback in every winter, and so may provide year-round cov erfor sh.

Myriophyllum verticillatumWhorled Water-milfoilPerennial with whorls of deeply divided leaves and linearleaets are borne on stems to 1m or more. In summer verysmall yellowish owers are carried just above the surfaceof the water.

Potamogeton crispusCurled PondweedPerennial bearing submerged, dissected, almosttranslucent leaves and leathery, oating leaves with

undulating margins. The owers are tiny and whitish,carried just above the water.

Ranunculus aquatilisCommon Water-crowfootPretty annual/short-lived perennial with submergedbranching stems and nely divided leaves and oatinglobed, kidney-shaped leaves. Produces white owers (2cm)at the waters surface in summer. Prefers shallow waterwith good nutrient levels.

Hottonia palustrisWater-violetPerennial with whorled, pinnate, narrow-lobed leaves andwhorls of lilac, yellow-throated owers to 2.5cm acrossborne on upright stems that appear above the surface ofthe water in spring.

Food, shelter and oxygen for sh and invertebrates Food, shelter and oxygen for sh and invertebrates


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Plants for pond edges

INVASIVE- AVOID ME!Ludwigia grandiora, L. hexapetalaWater PrimroseN.B. May also be sold as Jussiaea grandiora,Ludwigia uruguayensis

INVASIVE- AVOID ME!Hydrocotyle ranunculoidesFloating PennywortN.B. May also be sold as Water Pennywort

The government is trying to eradicate this plant from thewild in Great Britain before it becomes widespread andcauses signicant damage like that seen in France.

Invasive Floating Pennywort can grow up to 20cm perday, quickly smothering aquatic habitats with a densemat that can look like dry land to unsuspecting livestockand people.

Floating plants

Hydrocharis morsus-ranaeFrogbitStoloniferous perennial spreading on the surface of waterand producing rounded, glossy leaves to 3cm long. White,bowl-shaped owers, 2cm across, yellow at the centre areborne in the summer. Less vigorous in deeper water.

Nymphaea albaWhite Water-lilyPerennial with oating, rounded, dark green, often red-tinged leaves to about 30cm across. The starburst owers

to 20cm or more across are white with yellow centres. FORLARGE PONDS ONLY.

Nuphar luteaYellow Water-lilyPerennial bearing oating, rounded, thick-textured,hairless leaves to 40cm long. Above these in the summerare carried almost spherical yellow owers to 6cm acrosssingly on stems. FOR LA RGE PONDS ONLY.

Nymphaea hardy hybridsGarden Water-lilyThere are many hybrids to choose from. NymphaeaMarliacea Albida (pictured) has cup-shaped owers to15cm across that are white with yellow centres.

Alisma plantago-aquaticaWater-plantainPerennial to 1m bearing linear submerged leaves androsettes of long-stalked, lance-shaped, greyish leavesabove the water. Produces very pale pink owers to 1.5cmon much-branched inorescences in summer. Best in water15-30cm deep.

Butomus umbellatusFlowering-rushPerennial to 1.5m with rush-like, twisted leaves emergingpurple and turning green. Umbels of fragrant pink owersto 2.5cm across are borne in late summer on tall stems.Grow in mud or water to 25cm deep.

Caltha palustrisMarsh-marigoldRhizomatous perennial bearing kidney-shaped leaves to10cm long. Open, waxy, yellow owers are carried on stems

to 45cm in spring.

Canna EndeavourWater Canna 'Endeavour'Tender, rhizomatous perennial to 1.8m with erect, glaucous,paddle-shaped leaves and spikes of narrow-petalled redowers to 5cm across in summer and autumn. Lift tubersand overwinter in frost-free conditions.

Attractive owers and foliage, great algae suppressors Plants for colourful margins and hiding pond liners


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Plants for pond edgesPlants for pond edges

Canna RaWater Canna 'Ra'Tender, rhizomatous perennial to 1.8m with erect, slender,green leaves and spikes of exotic lemon yellow owers insummer and autumn. Lift tubers and overwinter in frost-free conditions.

Canna ErebusWater Canna 'Erebus'Tender, rhizomatous perennial to 1.2m with erect, darkgreen, paddle-shaped leaves and spikes of exotic salmonowers to 8cm across in summer and autumn. Lift tubersand overwinter in frost-free conditions.

Lysimachia nummularia AureaGolden Creeping-JennyProstrate perennial grown for its rounded, golden leaves inopposite pairs but also bearing yellow, cup-shaped owers

in summer.

Chrysosplenium davidianumDavid's Golden-saxifrageMat-forming perennial to 8cm tall with hairy, rounded,dark green leaves and greenish yellow, cup-shaped owersabove leafy bracts.

Mentha aquaticaWater MintRhizomatous perennial to 90cm with purple stems andnarrow, toothed, hairy and aromatic leaves. In summerdense spheres of tubular lilac owers are produced. Growsin water to 15cm deep. Plant in baskets to contain spread.

Myosotis scorpioidesWater Forget-me-notCreeping, rhizomatous perennial with leaves to 10cm and,in summer, a profusion of bright blue, very open owers to8mm across with a paler eye. Grows best in water to 10cmdeep.

Menyanthes trifoliataBogbeanRhizomatous perennial forming oating mats of three-parted leaves with leaets to 6cm lo ng. Erect inorescencesof white, star-shaped owers are sometimes producedin summer. WILL NEED REGULAR TRIMMING; FOR LARGEPONDS ONLY.

Sagittaria sagittifoliaArrowheadSpreading perennial bearing arrow-shaped leaves with longlobes at the base and 1m tall inorescences carrying whiteowers to 2.5cm across. In deep water long, oating leavesmay also be produced. FOR LARGE P ONDS ONLY.

Thalia dealbataPowdery Alligator-agPerennial to 2.5m bearing lanceolate grey-green leaveson long stalks. Striking, violet owers are borne in slender

spikes in summer. Not fully hardy and may be deciduous incold weather.

Veronica beccabungaBrooklimeCreeping perennial bearing eshy stems and leaves whichare rounded and can be entire or toothed. Racemes ofblue owers with a white eye are produced in spring andsummer. Will tolerate shallow water only.

C a r r o

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Plants for colourful margins and hiding pond liners Plants for colourful margins and hiding pond liners


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Bog garden plants

INVASIVE- AVOID ME!Crassula helmsii New Zealand Pigmyweed,Australian Swamp-stonecropN.B. May also be sold as Tillaea recurva, Tillaea helmsii,or Crassula recurvaThis invasive plant can grow as a submerged oxygenator andon land in boggy areas. This plant is considered so damagingand difcult to remove that some land managers ll in pondswhere it is found in order to protect other nearby ponds.

Bog garden plants

Carex elata AureaBowless Golden SedgeRhizomatous, perennial sedge, to 70cm, dying back inwinter with leaves that bear a central, golden variegationand small owers in spring and early summer.

Eriophorum angustifoliumCommon CottongrassA spreading, perennial member of the sedge family growingto about 40cm and producing in summer spikes of cotton-

like owers. Survives in water to 5cm deep.

Darmera peltataIndian-rhubarbSlow-spreading rhizomatous perennial bearing umbrella-like leaves to 60cm across preceded by heads of br ight pinkowers on long stalks. Will tolerate drier conditions in ashady position.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'Plantain Lily 'Sum and Substance'

Iris pseudacorusYellow IrisVigorous, rhizomatous perennial to 1.5m tall with lance-shaped, greyish leaves and bright yellow owers withdarker markings. FOR LARGE PONDS ONLY.

Iris sibiricaSiberian IrisRhizomatous iris to 120cm tall with narrow leaves andbluish owers. A parent of many ne cultivars.

Ligularia 'Gregynog Gold'Leopard Plant 'Gregynog Gold'Award-winning hybrid with rounded leaves to 35cm longand bearing in late summer and autumn pyramids to 1.8m

tall of golden daisy owers 10cm across. Perennial. Needsprotection from very hot sun.

Zantedeschia aethiopicaAltar-lily

Iris ensataJapanese IrisRhizomatous iris to 90cm with narrow leaves and purple orreddish owers borne in midsummer.

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H a p p y B a n s h e e

Stunning owers & foliage for wet and & boggy areas Stunning owers & foliage for wet and & boggy areas

Rhizomatous perennial with large, arrow-shaped, glossygreen leaves and big, white, arum-like owers on stems to1m or more. May need winter protection with eece or amulch.

Large, ribbed, heart-shaped yellow or green leaves andspikes of bell-shaped lilac owers in summer. Perennial.


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Callitriche stagnalis 6

Ceratophyllum demersum 6

Eleocharis acicularis 6

Fontinalis antipyretica 6

Hottonia palustris 7

Myriophyllum spicatum 7

Myriophyllum verticillatum 7

Potamogeton crispus 7

Ranunculus aquatilis 7Hydrocharis morsus-ranae 8

Nuphar lutea 8

Nymphaea alba 8

Nymphaea hardy hybrids 8

Alisma plantago-aquatica 9

Butomus umbellatus 9

Caltha palustris 9

Canna 'Endeavour' 9

Canna 'Erebus' 10

Canna 'Ra' 10

Chrysosplenium davidianum 10

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' 10

Mentha aquatica 10

Menyanthes trifoliata 11

Myosotis scorpioides 11

Sagittaria sagittifolia 11

Thalia dealbata 11

Veronica beccabunga 11

Carex elata 'Aurea' 12

Darmera peltata 12

Eriophorum angustifolium 12

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' 12

Iris ensata 13

Iris pseudacorus 13

Iris sibirica 13

Ligularia 'Gregynog Gold' 13

Zantedeschia aethiopica 13

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PLANT PAGE

CONDITIONS u

Cultivation chart & index

CreditsImages used under Creative Commons licences:u Attribution 2.0 Generic

Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 GenericAttribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 GenericAttribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Images used under GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

Front cover image Cassey BeauvaisInside layout design by Andrew Evans

With grateful thanks to The John Ellerman Foundation.


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Registered O fce14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DX. UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1722 342730 Fax: +44 (0) 1722 [email protected]

Speaking up for the nations wild plants

Plantli e International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charityis a charitable company limited by guarantee.Registered in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1059559

Registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC038951Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England and Wales.ISBN: 978-1-907141-33-1

2010

Royal Horticultural Society80 Vincent SquareLondon, SW1P 2PET.: 0845 260 5000 (UK);+44 (0) 207 834 4333 (overseas)

www.rhs.org.uk

The RHS is the UKs leading gardening charityRegistered Charity Number 222879/SCO38262

aquatics keeping ponds and aquaria without harmful invasive plants

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