More Suggestions for Ali’s Pond

Trollis flower

A well-planted wildlife pond takes shape gradually, and the most rewarding schemes are those that develop over time as you discover which plants thrive in your particular conditions and where the wildlife settles in. Following on from Ali’s initial pond planting plan, here are further suggestions for plants across all three zones — from the waterlogged margin to the drier upper edge — along with a summary table to help with planning and selection.

The design vision for Ali’s pond brings together two distinct but complementary habitats. At the rear of the pond, the planting moves into a woodland character — shaded, layered, and lush, with large-leaved foliage plants, ferns and shade-tolerant perennials creating a sense of depth and enclosure. At the front, the pond opens out into a more open, meadow-style setting, with lighter, airier planting that invites wildlife in and gives the pond a natural, unmanicured edge. The two zones work together to maximise the range of habitats on offer, supporting a much wider variety of insects, amphibians and birds than a single planting style would achieve on its own.

We have grouped the plants by zone, as the key to a successful wildlife pond is matching each plant to the right level of moisture and light. Get the zoning right and the plants largely look after themselves.

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Zone 1 — Marginals and Shallow Water Plants

These are plants that live at the very edge of the pond or in very shallow water. They provide structure, shelter for pond life, and some of the most striking seasonal flowers. In Ali’s pond, the marginals along the rear and side banks will help anchor the transition into the woodland setting beyond, while those at the front edge will soften the margin as it opens out into the meadow.

Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)

One of the most distinctive pond-edge plants in the British landscape, with strong upright foliage and bold yellow flowers in early summer. It is superb for wildlife cover but can be vigorous in smaller ponds, so keep an eye on it and divide when needed.

Water Iris (Iris laevigata)

A beautiful water-edge iris with rich blue flowers and good vertical form. It thrives in water depths of 5 to 15 cm and is one of GardenAdvice’s core recommendations for the shelving margins of a wildlife pond.

Japanese Water Iris (Iris ensata)

Elegant blue, red or white flowers and graceful foliage make this a lovely choice for the very edge of the pond. It is slightly less tolerant of permanently wet conditions than Iris laevigata, so plant it at the margin rather than in open water.

Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus ‘Argenteostriatus’)

A strong foliage plant for very shallow water, with creamy-striped leaves that catch the light and provide useful contrast alongside irises and rushes. Unfussy and reliable.

Grass-leaved Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’)

A smaller, grass-like relative of the above with golden-yellow variegation. Useful for softening and brightening the pond edge without taking up too much space.

Bowles’ Golden Sedge (Carex elata ‘Aurea’)

A warm golden sedge that gives real brightness to a pond edge. It works particularly well alongside irises and primulas, providing gentle contrast in both colour and texture through the growing season.

Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus f. spiralis)

Its twisted, spiralling stems give excellent textural interest and good cover for frogs and invertebrates in the shallow margin. An easy, unfussy plant that suits any naturalistic planting scheme.

Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)

Glossy, heart-shaped leaves and attractive blue flower spikes in late summer that are particularly valuable for pollinators. Best in very shallow water at the pond margin.

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)

One of the great joys of early spring, with rounded leaves and vivid golden flowers that are among the first of the year to open. An excellent plant for wildlife and one of GardenAdvice’s essential pond-margin recommendations.

Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)

A softly spreading native marginal that produces small blue flowers over a long season and provides good wildlife cover. It stitches naturally into a wildflower-style pond planting and asks for very little attention.

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)

A fast-spreading, fragrant plant with soft purple flowers that attract bees and other pollinators throughout summer. Plant in water depths of up to 10 cm over the crown. Pinch off a leaf and crush it — the scent is unmistakable.

Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides)

A fascinating free-floating plant with spiky, aloe-like rosettes that sit on the surface in summer and sink to the bottom in winter. It needs no basket or planting and is excellent at helping to keep pond water clear. Best in deeper open water of 30 to 100 cm.

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Zone 2 — Damp Bank and Bog Garden Plants

These plants thrive in consistently moist soil at the pond edge but do not need to stand in water. This is where the woodland character of the rear planting really comes into its own. Large-leaved foliage plants, ferns and shade-tolerant perennials build up in layers to create the enclosed, verdant feel of a woodland pond — the kind of setting you might find naturally in a damp clearing among trees. At the front of the pond, the damp bank planting can be kept lower and more open, with meadow-friendly species beginning to take over as the habitat transitions towards the grassland edge.

Hosta (Hosta spp., including ‘T-Rex’)

Among the very best plants for a lush, shaded pondside. Large-leaved varieties such as ‘T-Rex’ create a bold, dramatic effect, and the wide foliage contrasts superbly with the vertical forms of marginal plants. Keep an eye out for slugs, which are drawn to hostas and particularly active in the damp conditions around a pond.

Ornamental Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)

Enormous, architectural leaves and tall flower spikes that create a genuinely dramatic backdrop. At its best in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, where it develops a tropical luxuriance that suits a generous wildlife pond setting very well.

Rodgersia (Rodgersia spp.)

Large, horse-chestnut-like leaves with strong structure and a naturally waterside character make Rodgersia one of the best bold foliage plants for damp shade. It pairs beautifully with hostas and ferns and is a reliable long-term performer.

Umbrella Plant (Darmera peltata)

Big, circular umbrella-like leaves on tall stems give a striking almost-tropical appearance at the pond bank. It flowers on bare stems in early spring before the leaves emerge, which adds welcome interest at a quiet point in the year.

Ligularia (Ligularia spp.)

Bold foliage and strong yellow or orange flower spikes in mid to late summer. ‘The Rocket’ is particularly useful for its tall, vertical flower spikes that add real drama to the pond-side planting when much else has finished. Best in moist, sheltered, partly shaded conditions.

Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)

Ferny foliage and elegant feathery plumes in pinks, reds, whites and purples through the summer months. Astilbe is an excellent choice for moist shade alongside the pond, and GardenAdvice notes it as one of the most reliable plants for damp pondside and streamside positions.

Globe Flower (Trollius chinensis ‘Golden Queen’)

Rounded, globe-shaped flowers in warm yellow-orange shades appear in late spring and are attractive to pollinators. A very useful plant for moist, cool conditions around the pond edge. ‘Golden Queen’ is a particularly reliable variety.

Drumstick Primula (Primula denticulata)

Round ball-shaped flower heads in purple, lilac or white appear in early spring, providing cheerful colour before most other pond-edge plants have got going. Excellent in damp, shaded margins.

Orchid Primula (Primula vialii)

An unusual and striking primula with vertical flower spikes — vivid red in bud, opening to soft lilac — that suit pond-margin planting beautifully. It combines well with other moisture-loving primulas and with Caltha nearby.

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Light, graceful and reliably moisture-loving, the Lady Fern is a natural companion for shaded pondside planting. It associates well with hostas and Rodgersia and provides excellent soft texture through the growing season.

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

A bold, strongly architectural fern with upright shuttlecock-shaped fronds that expand dramatically in spring. It spreads slowly by underground runners and builds into a very handsome clump over time.

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.)

Delicate, fan-shaped fronds on wiry black stems that need a sheltered, humid and well-shaded position to do their best. Worth the effort of getting the right spot for the refinement it brings.

Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)

Elegant ferny foliage and tall white plumes in early summer make this a superb naturalistic pond-side plant. It is very attractive to insects and adds considerable height and airy structure to the damp-bank planting.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

A native plant with a relaxed, naturalistic habit and powerfully scented frothy cream flowers. It is excellent in damp soil and a beautiful addition to any wildlife pond edge, where it will be visited by a wide range of insects throughout summer.

Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua)

An unusual and useful plant for damp soil, with distinctive hooded flowers in late summer and early autumn when many other pond-edge plants have finished. It is tidy, reliable and excellent for extending the season of interest.

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Classic white spathes and rich glossy foliage make this one of the most striking plants for a sheltered, damp pond margin. In mild gardens it can be grown in water depths of 15 to 30 cm; in colder areas plant it in damp soil at the margin where it has some protection.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Strong scarlet flowers and dark purplish foliage make this one of the most eye-catching late-season plants for a wet or partly shaded pond margin. It provides vivid colour at a time of year when the pond edge can begin to look tired.

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Narrow, grass-like leaves and delicate clusters of pale purple flowers with a mild garlic scent. An elegant and slightly unusual choice for moist soil just at the pond edge, where it provides long-season interest and a good foil for bolder plants.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

A beloved native with soft yellow flowers in early spring that naturalise readily in damp, shaded conditions around a pond edge. Simple, reliable and excellent for insects emerging on the first warm days of the year.

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Zone 3 — Upper Edge and Backdrop Plants

These plants help blend the pond into the wider garden and are where the two contrasting characters of Ali’s pond become most clearly defined. At the rear, the upper edge should feel like the beginning of a woodland understorey — deeper shade, evergreen cover, and plants that suggest the floor of a mixed wood. At the front, the upper edge dissolves into the meadow, with plants chosen to feel native and unstructured, attracting pollinators and small mammals as the habitat opens up. The Bearded Iris is a particularly good choice here — showy enough to mark the transition, but comfortable in the better-drained conditions of the meadow edge.

Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis)

Bold, deeply cut architectural leaves and tall flower spikes make Bear’s Breeches one of the most dramatic backdrop plants available. Best where the soil is fertile and reasonably well-drained rather than boggy, at the back of the pond planting.

Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’)

A useful low-growing evergreen ground cover for shaded upper pond edges where the soil is moist but not waterlogged. It provides year-round coverage, suppresses weeds well and asks for virtually no attention once established.

Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)

Excellent for shaded areas near the pond where winter and early spring interest is needed. Hellebores associate beautifully with ferns and hostas in the dappled shade of the pondside and provide some of the most refined flowers of the year.

Elephant’s Ears (Bergenia spp.)

Tough evergreen foliage that works well on the drier outer edge of the pond planting, especially in partial shade. Bergenia is a particularly useful transitional plant between the lush pond-side planting and the drier areas of the garden beyond.

Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Grown primarily for their colourful winter stems — vivid reds and yellows depending on variety — dogwoods provide strong structural interest at a time of year when herbaceous pond-side plants have largely disappeared. Plant slightly back from the water’s edge in moist soil.

Speedwell (Veronica spp.)

Upright spikes of blue or purple flowers through summer that attract pollinators and add vertical interest near the pond edge. Happy in damp but reasonably well-drained soil, making it a good choice for the upper margin where conditions are less extreme.

Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)

The large, showy flowers of bearded irises — available in an enormous range of colours — make them a spectacular addition to the upper pond edge in late spring and early summer. Unlike their moisture-loving iris cousins, bearded irises prefer well-drained soil and should be planted where they will not sit in waterlogged ground. They are excellent for bridging the pond planting with drier areas of the garden beyond.

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Ali’s Pond Plant Selection — Summary Table

The table below brings together all the plants discussed above and shows Ali’s current selections across the four categories: existing pond plants, suggested plants, plants sourced from other ponds, and plants to be positioned around the pond edge. The selections reflect the overall design aim — a shaded, woodland-character planting at the rear giving way to a more open meadow setting at the front, creating two distinct wildlife habitats that work together around a single pond.

Plant Name	Latin Name	Zone	Existing Pond Plant	Suggested Plant	From Other Ponds	Around Pond
Yellow Flag Iris	Iris pseudacorus	Zone 1 — Marginal			✓
Water Iris	Iris laevigata	Zone 1 — Marginal	✓
Japanese Water Iris	Iris ensata	Zone 1 — Marginal			✓
Variegated Sweet Flag	Acorus calamus ‘Argenteostriatus’	Zone 1 — Marginal		✓
Grass-leaved Sweet Flag	Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’	Zone 1 — Marginal
Bowles’ Golden Sedge	Carex elata ‘Aurea’	Zone 1 — Marginal
Corkscrew Rush	Juncus effusus f. spiralis	Zone 1 — Marginal				✓
Pickerel Weed	Pontederia cordata	Zone 1 — Marginal
Marsh Marigold	Caltha palustris	Zone 1 — Marginal			✓
Brooklime	Veronica beccabunga	Zone 1 — Marginal		✓
Water Mint	Mentha aquatica	Zone 1 — Marginal	✓
Water Soldier	Stratiotes aloides	Zone 1 — Deep / Floating			✓
Hosta (incl. ‘T-Rex’)	Hosta spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Ornamental Rhubarb	Rheum spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Rodgersia	Rodgersia spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Umbrella Plant	Darmera peltata	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Ligularia	Ligularia spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Astilbe	Astilbe spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Globe Flower	Trollius chinensis ‘Golden Queen’	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Drumstick Primula	Primula denticulata	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Orchid Primula	Primula vialii	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Lady Fern	Athyrium filix-femina	Zone 2 — Damp Bank
Ostrich Fern	Matteuccia struthiopteris	Zone 2 — Damp Bank
Maidenhair Fern	Adiantum spp.	Zone 2 — Damp Bank
Goat’s Beard	Aruncus dioicus	Zone 2 — Damp Bank
Meadowsweet	Filipendula ulmaria	Zone 2 — Damp Bank	✓			✓
Turtlehead	Chelone obliqua	Zone 2 — Damp Bank	✓
Arum Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Cardinal Flower	Lobelia cardinalis	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Society Garlic	Tulbaghia violacea	Zone 2 — Damp Bank	✓
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	Zone 2 — Damp Bank				✓
Bear’s Breeches	Acanthus mollis	Zone 3 — Upper Edge			✓
Japanese Spurge	Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’	Zone 3 — Upper Edge				✓
Hellebore	Helleborus spp.	Zone 3 — Upper Edge				✓
Elephant’s Ears	Bergenia spp.	Zone 3 — Upper Edge				✓
Dogwood	Cornus spp.	Zone 3 — Upper Edge	✓			✓
Speedwell	Veronica spp.	Zone 3 — Upper Edge				✓
Bearded Iris	Iris germanica	Zone 3 — Upper Edge				✓