Planting a pond

[didireallysaythat]

We cleared the pond completly after I inadvertently pierced the liner trying to cut out the 1.5 feet deep irises and water mint. It's about 9 foot by 5 foot, two foot deep with a raised shelf about 2 foot by 5 foot and 1.5 foot deep.

It will (hopefully) be a home for frogs and newts (again).

What should I plant and how ? Does everything need to go in special pond pots with gravel on top ?

I'm not planning on planting immediately - it needs to rain !

As you’ve already experienced some water plants are pretty invasive.
Yes, plant now as water plants disappear from garden centres over the winter.
I’d suggest some marginal plants on the edge and small, water lilies.
The garden centre will advise you on the best choice from what you like.
In my pond I have a small leaved water Lily with a single petal yellow flower. The newts and tadpoles hide from predators underneath.
Last year I cleared some of it and got the dreaded duck weed, so I’ve let the water lily take over again and the duck weed has disappeared. I have some Arum lilies on the margin.
Plant in pond baskets filled with gravel. The plants get nutrients from the water.

Can you grow papyrus in the UK? It's good for height, but definitely keep in a pot.

I think we're likely to get a hosepipe ban soon and the water in the IBC has a strange aroma which I think I'll save for the borders...

A papyrus sounds good - we could store it in the greenhouse over winter. But we live in the east so it may not appreciate our artic winds (in the spring and autumn)

Am I best of just having one or two marginals, a lily and an oxygenator ?