Good plants for the winter. Evergreen and semi-evergreen pond plant ideas.

It’s February, and all the lovely colourful, tall and bushy plants that were placed in around the pond last year are nowhere to be seen, the beds are bare and the baskets only show gravel - sound familiar?

In the UK there are very few true evergreen pond plants because the overwhelming majority of our native plants all reduce back to their roots/tubers for self-preservation over the long winter months. However, we cannot ignore that winters are becoming milder and we are seeing many of the “semi-evergreen” pond plants retaining their foliage. It is worth considering adding a combination of evergreen and semi-evergreen pond plants for that winter appeal.

The select few true evergreens, with emphasis on native plants:

Equisetum Hymale (Dutch Rush). This native tall rush is prized for its striped foliage, making it a good evergreen screen up against fence panels or to disguise a background. It’s versatile - it will grow in the pond in depths up to 15cm, as well as in a damp ground/bog area. Once spring comes (and everything else is growing), it’s wise to trim all the stems back to the ground as this will encourage attractive new shoots.

Carex Pendula (Pendulosu Sedge). This native grass is very hardy and has no problems retaining its leaves throughout the UK’s most harsh winters. Suitable for in a pond as a marginal or in damp ground (in some cases it will grow in a standard garden border). It grows to 50cm tall with flowing leaves flowing like a fountain in all directions. It’s large size and shape will give winter appeal even if it’s covered in snow! Whilst this does not flower, the seed heads are very attractive. If you don’t want it to spread, remove these seed heads before they mature.

Juncus Inflexus (Hard Rush). This native rush has very attractive blue coloured foliage that will last all winter, regardless of what the weather throws at it! It isn’t as fast growing as the sedge or Dutch rush above so better suited for smaller ponds. Its max size is very dependant on conditions, and will achieve somewhere between 30cm and 60cm height. It will grow in a pond on a marginal shelf (no deeper than 15cm) or in damp ground such as a bog garden.

Eriophorum angustifolium (Cotton Grass). This very modest native plant comes into its own in the autumn when it flowers with fluffy white seed heads - resembling cotton. The grass foliage doesn’t die back for winter, so will give some shape on the pond edges throughout the seasons. It’s a slow growing plant and well suited for a small ponds.

Semi-evergreen native plants:

Iris Pseudcacorus (Yellow Flag Iris). The sword shape leaves of our native iris in mild winters will still be visible at the pond edge. Whilst it doesn’t actively grow during the winter months, it doesn’t reduce back at the first sign of frost either. It’s a good plant to give height at the pond margin over winter too.

Veronica Beccabunga (Brooklime). This is the oddball of winter plants! It’s a creeping plant with small rounded leaves - not like the grasses and rushes mentioned before. It’s incredibly hardy in our climate and will to the best of its ability retain its leaves all winter. Brooklime is excellent for ground cover and for hanging over the edge to disguise exposed pond liner. In the summer months has tiny lilac flowers which are enjoyed by pollinating insects.

Juncus Efusus (Soft Rush). This clump forming rush is sometimes called “common rush”. It’s native with green hollow foliage and great for wildlife to provide cover in winter.

Native Oxygenating plants:

As ponds freeze over, the oxygenating plants sink to depths where the temperatures are milder. They continue to filter the water, just at a much slower rate. This means they keep their green foliage all year - even if they aren’t as visible when the snow settles. They are invaluable in all wildlife ponds for providing safe winter habitat for all manner of invertebrates.

Eleocharis acicularis (Dwarf Hairgrass)

Ceratophyllum demersum (Hornwort)

Hippuris vulgaris (Mare’s tail)

Callitriche stagnalis (Starwort)

Ranunculus aquatilis (Water Crowsfoot)