Water Plant of the Month:  So you are at your favourite Garden Center, (TERRA Greenhouses), wandering through the  Pond department  just itching to buy your pond a present.  Here you'll find our favourite plants and tips to keep them happy and healthy in your pond.

April  - O₂-some Oxygenators!

We've got two reasons why we love these types of plants in our ponds.  They provide Oxygen and Sanctuary.  Oxygenating plants help to keep water pure and clear.  These plants grow under water, just like the plants you see growing in lakes.  They have the ability to absorb excess nutrients from the water and liberate oxygen during the day.  Second, they provide spawning space for fish, and shelter and protection for baby fish.  Who doesn't like to see baby fish in their pond?  These plants help keep those babies safe and secure until they can swim around with the big guys.

Oxygenating plants are available as cuttings and come in mesh bags.  Make sure you remove them from the bags before placing them in your pond.  Use 1 bag per 5-6 sq. Feet of open surface area.

Two of our favourites are:

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum Demersum) and Aquatic Mint (Micromeria Brownii).

Hornwort does not require planting; just drop it in the water after removing it from the mesh bag.  How easy it that!  We like to weight it with a stone so that it sinks to the bottom of the pond and stays there instead of floating into your skimmer.   It likes ponds with full sun to partial shade. 

Aquatic Mint has roundish, light green leaves, and of course a fresh minty scent.  It is considered a tropical plant (zone 9), so it may not overwinter in our climate.  It also likes full sun to partial shade.  Remove the cuttings from the bag and tuck half of the stem into moistened areas, such as around the edges of shallow spots or in streams.