PLANTS FOR A WILDLIFE POND

Submerged plants

Water crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis: Branching, spiked leaves sit below the water, while those that float on the surface are toothed and lobed. Dainty white flowers appear from April to June (top left).

Water violet, Hottonia palustris: Fern-like foliage and pretty, pale pinkish-lilac flowers in May and June. Starwort, Callitriche stagnalis: A pretty, shallow water plant, which grows actively in the cooler months, making it useful to early spawning amphibians. Spiked water milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum: Feathery foliage provides plenty of hiding places. It is usually supplied in bunches, which can just be dropped into the pond to sink and grow (bottom left).

Floating plants

Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’: The UK’s only native water lily, Nymphaea alba, grows too big for most ponds, but this miniature example is a good alternative for small ponds and tubs. Tiny 2in (5cm) flowers, pale yellow, and slightly fragrant, are produced from June to September, attracting pollinators (top right). Frogbit, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae: Small, glossy, lily pad-shaped leaves and trailing roots: three-petalled, white blooms appear in July and August. Frogbit floats freely on the water surface in summer before sinking to the bottom of the pond to overwinter, rising again in the spring (bottom right).

Marginal plants

Water forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides:A low-growing marginal, with pretty, sky blue flowers from May to September. Its leaves are used by newts to lay their eggs (left).

Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria: Tall spikes, of up to 6ft (1.8m), bearing purple-red blooms are produced from July to September, attracting bees and butterflies, and provide perching points for dragonflies. Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris: Large, golden, buttercup-like flowers, rich in pollen and nectar, appear in March (below).