How to Create Garden Ponds and What to Put in Them

The main purpose for which we install garden ponds is aesthetics and decoration. In this case, the ponds have no other function.

However, there are also ponds designed, for example, for fish keeping, where the pond's tank construction, size, planting method with aquatic plants, or stocking density are adapted accordingly.

Pond Selection and Location

When selecting ponds, it is essential to consider primarily the purpose that the pond should fulfill. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the pond size. This determines both the acquisition costs and, above all, the operating costs.

Whether it concerns electricity costs for operating pumps, UV lamps, bacterial substrates, or algae control products.

For the pond, we try to choose a location that is not in direct sunlight. However, if we have no other option, we can help ourselves by planting trees around the pond. Water lilies or taller species of marginal plants can also help.

Individual pond types are also distinguished according to bottom modeling. A garden ornamental pond usually has individual, shallow, and medium-deep zones at the bottom. Great emphasis is also placed on aquatic plants here.
Pond liner is not exactly an attractive material that would sufficiently decorate the pond.

Ornamental ponds usually do not have deep tanks. Depths of up to 1.5 meters are common, which is sufficient for overwintering most ornamental fish.

Bottoms are usually covered with pea gravel or another type of decorative stone and gravel. Here, pea gravel primarily serves an aesthetic function, unlike in swimming ponds or fish keeping ponds.

What to Put in the Pond

• Plants

Aquatic plants are an integral part of ponds, serving both ornamental and practical functions. There are many species of ornamental plants that either grow in deep water – these plants do not need soil – or plants floating on the surface with freely hanging roots.

There are also marginal plants, whose roots are mostly just below the water. Leaves and flowers then protrude above the surface. In some open areas where there are regions with constantly wet soil, bog plants can be grown, which are characterized by their brightly colored flowers and interestingly shaped leaves.

Last but not least, there are species of ornamental plants that do not root at all. They simply hover in the water or float on the surface.

The water surface can be brightened by plants such as yellow water lily, lesser spearwort, bur-reed, frogbit, water violet, water crowfoot, water soldier, or floating water chestnut.

However, the surface is most commonly adorned with various species of water lilies, which have been bred in a whole range of colour shades.

On the pond banks, moisture-loving ground cover perennials, ornamental grasses, or ferns grow very well. These plants also create a natural transition from the water to other parts of the garden.

• Ornamental fish

If you want to keep ornamental fish in your pond, expert advice is definitely recommended. They will advise you whether the fish species you have chosen is suitable for the conditions of your pond or water feature.
The most typical representatives of fish kept in ornamental ponds include Koi Carp, Crucian Carp, Bitterling, Sturgeon, or the classic Common Carp.

• Lighting and effects

Another way to decorate and embellish our pond is with various fountains, waterfalls, streams, or lighting effects.