First Garden Pond Flower Opens

Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris

The first pond flower of the season has opened up in my garden. One of my favourite water plants, the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), which I planted last year, shows off a bright yellow bloom. Hopefully a good nectar source for insects. My pond is only small, as can be seen in the image below, but I am amazed how much wildlife it has attracted. It will be 1 year old at the end of April.

Garden Pond

 

29 thoughts on “First Garden Pond Flower Opens”

  1. peggyjoan42
    Reply

    Love your pond Pete. Even though it is small it is so pretty. I can see the wildlife liking this quiet little area of your yard.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pete Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you very much, Peggy 🙂 I have always wanted a wildlife pond, but was put off because my garden was so small. But last year I thought, heck, give it a go, so I did, and have derived a lot of pleasure from it since 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Pete Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you 🙂 The weather has changed and gone very cold again, so not quite got out of the grip of winter yet here. But enjoying the sunny days when they come 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Pete Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you, Vicki 🙂 Oddly, no frogs, despite the fact that I used to get them on and off before I had the pond. But I had a couple of toads last summer.

      Like

    • Pete Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you very much Brian 🙂 Last summer a Large Red Damselfly laid eggs at the bottom of my water Mint. The larvae hatched and some appear to have survived the winter, so at least there is life still there 🙂

      Like

  8. Eliza Waters
    Reply

    After my mishap with my pond (mentioned in Monday’s post), I was thinking I might do away with it after the electric co. is done with the repair. But this post is making me reconsider!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Heyjude
    Reply

    Came over to see your pond Pete. It looks lovely and just what I am thinking of doing. Any advice? How deep did you have to dig? What liner have you used? I like the fact you have pebbles and cobbles at the bottom and the surrounding area and a few larger rocks. It looks very natural.
    Jude xx

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pete Hillman
      Reply

      Hi Jude, glad to have you visit my pond, thank you 🙂 My pond only measures about 1.8m x 1m (6ft x 3ft), and is kidney shaped, so it is quite small. My pond varies in depth. The pond people say it should be between 2 to 3ft deep so in areas so it don’t freeze in the winter or get to hot in the summer. Mine is isn’t quite that deep, but it has a shallow area so creatures like frogs and toads can get in and out easily. I also formed a terrace all the way roound for rocks and water plants. After digging the hole I lined it with builders sand and then lay a sheet of flexible pond liner and filled it with water before cutting it to shape, letting it settle a little. Some folk even put an underlay, like an old carpet between the sand and the liner, but the sand has done me fine so far.

      If you fill it with water from the tap best let it be for at least three days before planting pond plants so the chemicals can gas off. I have avoided using tap water since, and have collected rain water in water butts off the shed and garage to top it up in the heat of summer.

      I planted some marginal plants which helps with shade, and some in the pond in baskets. I also dropped in some oxygenating plants which submerge and keep the water naturally healthy. I do have a pump but that is only for the water feature, and the movement of water also helps keep it oxygenated.

      I built the stones and rocks up over time, but had placed some of the bigger ones initially to help keep the liner in place. Within a month or so wildlife was appearing there. It will take a season or more to settle down. Have a net handy to remove leaves that fall in. It has to be one of the best things I have ever done creating a wildlife pond, and I am still enjoying watching it florish 🙂

      You can see the visitors I have had over the past year via this link :

      https://petehillmansnaturephotography.wordpress.com/category/garden/garden-pond/

      I hope I have given you some inspiration and know how to get you thinking about building your own pond, Jude 🙂 If you like gardening and wildlife like I do, you would certainly reap the benefits from a pond.

      Best wishes, Pete

      Liked by 1 person

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