Water Gardens Designed For Wildlife
An inclined beach of small stones provides a natural entry into the pool for them.
Although the location, style, and size of your water fountain all contribute somewhat to your success with wildlife. Marginal plants (those that grow in the shallows of the water garden) also offer cover and food. But the more that it resembles a country pond, the greater the number and variety of creatures it will attract because of the greater variety of habitats it offers.
The Depth of Your Water Garden
If you're planning a water garden that will support fish and plants as well as other wildlife activity, you'll need to consider constructing it to contain a variety of depths. This plant requires full-sun.
âÃÂâ Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows about 1 foot high and bears small, light lavender flowers in mid- to late summer with nectar that is attractive to bees. Plants over-wintering in the garden pond will need deep areas, too.
In a climate with winter temperatures of minus 10ÃÂð to minus 20ÃÂð F, the pond will need to be 24 inches deep. In regions where average minimum temperatures of minus 30ÃÂð to minus 40ÃÂð F, the pool should have areas that are 30 to 36 inches deep. It should be planted no deeper than 3 inches.
âÃÂâ Water lily (Nymphaea spp.) spreads from 1 to 50 square feet, depending on the variety. It spreads rapidly and can be invasive. Raccoons, mosquitoes, cats that love fish, and even the occasional rambunctious, water-loving dog may also become visitors to your water garden. Plants with floating leaves shade the water and serve as insect landing pads. But all in all, water gardens extend the ecosystem delightfully into your own backyard.
Water gardens designed for wildlife in a country setting may attract abundant wildlife because animals are more plentiful in locations near their natural habitat. Their patches of color draw birds and butterflies to feed on seeds and flower nectar. Birds will take a sip of water from even a simple tub, and they'll bathe in a splashing fountain. Its flowers come in many colors and grow from 1 to 10 inches across.
Water gardens designed for wildlife are sure to bring you many hours of viewing pleasure. It prefers full sun and still water and makes a good place for frogs and other small animals to rest. Submerged plants release small amounts of oxygen into the water, which support insect larvae.
âÃÂâ Swamp milkweed or butterfly plant (Asclepias incarnata) grows about 3 feet high, and its yellow-to-orange, red, yellow, or white flowers attract butterflies for the nectar. Having a diversity of depths, rocks, and plants will be key to attracting wildlife to your water gardens.
Plants for Your Water Garden
Native plants, which offer food and shelter natural to the birds and animals of your region, draw wildlife to your garden pond. Grasses and hedges, especially evergreen or semi-evergreen species, provide cover at the water's edge for the better part of the year. Fish need at least 18 inches of water to survive. Trees and shrubs are especially good because they provide homes for nesting wildlife as well as food and cover.
Perennials and annuals are attractions, too. Hardiness depends on the variety.
Yet even a big-city water garden draws birds, butterflies, and other animals.
Style, Size and Location Can Make a Difference
A large garden may attract a more diverse selection of wild things, but a small garden will surprise you with the number of animals it lures.
Wildlife won't know whether your water garden is formal or informal, of course. To over-winter them in areas where the pool freezes, they will need a place on the bottom deeper than that. Those with smaller leaves, like duckweed, are food for ducks and fish. Butterflies love shallow pools. Check with your local extension service or water garden supplier to be sure the water garden you're planning will have depths suitable to your garden and your region.
Many amphibians, small animals, and birds like gradual approaches to water. Insects and other animals-dragonflies, frogs, salamanders-will be drawn to your water garden and to the plants that accompany it.
Of course, water gardens designed for wildlife may also attract wildlife you would rather not deal with.
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Although the location, style, and size of your water fountain all contribute somewhat to your success with wildlife. Marginal plants (those that grow in the shallows of the water garden) also offer cover and food. But the more that it resembles a country pond, the greater the number and variety of creatures it will attract because of the greater variety of habitats it offers.
The Depth of Your Water Garden
If you're planning a water garden that will support fish and plants as well as other wildlife activity, you'll need to consider constructing it to contain a variety of depths. This plant requires full-sun.
âÃÂâ Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows about 1 foot high and bears small, light lavender flowers in mid- to late summer with nectar that is attractive to bees. Plants over-wintering in the garden pond will need deep areas, too.
In a climate with winter temperatures of minus 10ÃÂð to minus 20ÃÂð F, the pond will need to be 24 inches deep. In regions where average minimum temperatures of minus 30ÃÂð to minus 40ÃÂð F, the pool should have areas that are 30 to 36 inches deep. It should be planted no deeper than 3 inches.
âÃÂâ Water lily (Nymphaea spp.) spreads from 1 to 50 square feet, depending on the variety. It spreads rapidly and can be invasive. Raccoons, mosquitoes, cats that love fish, and even the occasional rambunctious, water-loving dog may also become visitors to your water garden. Plants with floating leaves shade the water and serve as insect landing pads. But all in all, water gardens extend the ecosystem delightfully into your own backyard.
Water gardens designed for wildlife in a country setting may attract abundant wildlife because animals are more plentiful in locations near their natural habitat. Their patches of color draw birds and butterflies to feed on seeds and flower nectar. Birds will take a sip of water from even a simple tub, and they'll bathe in a splashing fountain. Its flowers come in many colors and grow from 1 to 10 inches across.
Water gardens designed for wildlife are sure to bring you many hours of viewing pleasure. It prefers full sun and still water and makes a good place for frogs and other small animals to rest. Submerged plants release small amounts of oxygen into the water, which support insect larvae.
âÃÂâ Swamp milkweed or butterfly plant (Asclepias incarnata) grows about 3 feet high, and its yellow-to-orange, red, yellow, or white flowers attract butterflies for the nectar. Having a diversity of depths, rocks, and plants will be key to attracting wildlife to your water gardens.
Plants for Your Water Garden
Native plants, which offer food and shelter natural to the birds and animals of your region, draw wildlife to your garden pond. Grasses and hedges, especially evergreen or semi-evergreen species, provide cover at the water's edge for the better part of the year. Fish need at least 18 inches of water to survive. Trees and shrubs are especially good because they provide homes for nesting wildlife as well as food and cover.
Perennials and annuals are attractions, too. Hardiness depends on the variety.
Yet even a big-city water garden draws birds, butterflies, and other animals.
Style, Size and Location Can Make a Difference
A large garden may attract a more diverse selection of wild things, but a small garden will surprise you with the number of animals it lures.
Wildlife won't know whether your water garden is formal or informal, of course. To over-winter them in areas where the pool freezes, they will need a place on the bottom deeper than that. Those with smaller leaves, like duckweed, are food for ducks and fish. Butterflies love shallow pools. Check with your local extension service or water garden supplier to be sure the water garden you're planning will have depths suitable to your garden and your region.
Many amphibians, small animals, and birds like gradual approaches to water. Insects and other animals-dragonflies, frogs, salamanders-will be drawn to your water garden and to the plants that accompany it.
Of course, water gardens designed for wildlife may also attract wildlife you would rather not deal with.
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posted by lazar @ 4:54 PM
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