What plant and animal life could I include in my garden?
 

           Another way to ask what plants and animals to place in you water feature, is how to I establish a balanced
            eco-system.  That is , after all, what to strive for when water gardens are concerned.  This balance is achieved
            by  including not only the right kinds of plants, but achieving the correct mix of them.

            For instance, there are four main types of water plants.  They are oxygenating or submerged plants, shallow
            or bog plants, floating plants, and deep water plants.  The correct mixture of these plants will produce ample
            oxygen for fish, use excess nutrients from fish (nitrogen and phosphorus), and shade the water. Collectively
            these actions will keep algae and other unwanteds from taking over, and they will take a giant leap at minimizing
            maintenance.

            There is one warning when using aquatic plants.  Many of these plants can be very invasive under ideal conditions.
            To prohibit them from over taking your water feature, know what you are dealing with.  Problem plants should
            be planted in pots and not given free range.

            Shallow water and bog plants are also generally planted in pots.  These plants are rooted in the bottom, grow
            above the water surface and generally they have very showy flowers.  They differ from oxygenating plants in
            in that they are above the surface.  Oxygenating plants are submerged and are overlooked by many.  They provide
            excellent fish habitat and are the main source of oxygen.

            Floating plants are generally the most used and most popular.  They include such plants as the famous water lilly.
            They are usually the best flowering, and they can include day or night blooming varieties.
 

    Here are some plants you may want to include in your garden.
 

     Oxygenators:     Gray fanwort-Cabomba caroliniana
                                 Coontail- Ceratophyllum demersum
                                  Yellow floating heart- Nymphoides peltata
                                  Underwater banana plant- Nymphoides aquatica

    Floating Plants:    Hardy water lilies-Nymphaea species
                                  Tropical water lilies- Nymphaea capensis, N. colorata, N. gigantea
                                  Asian lotus- Nelumbo nucifera

    Shallow or Bog plants:     Sweet flag- Acorus calamus
                                              Japanese rush-Acorus gramineus
                                              Water plantain-Alisma plantago
                                               Horsetail- Equisetum hyemale
                                               Japanese iris-Iris ensata
 

        Animals:

        What animals to include is your discretion.  There are plenty of places that will sell you every reptile
        amphibian, etc. under the sun.  Many of these will find their own way to you water garden.  The most
        common addition to any water garden comes with fins and gills.  There is such a variety of fish I am
        sure there are sites devoted solely to that.  The most common are the common gold fish and the Japanese
        Koi.  Fish are definitely worthwhile, and they can add beauty and mystique to any garden.