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As water plants get their nutrition from all the available nutrients dispersed in pond water it follows that in a small container one needs to be prepared to feed the plants a bit more; usually small doses of phostrogen are perfectly sufficient. Naturally increasing the nutrients will also increase the possibility that green algae will delight in this environment and increase abundantly. This is usually not a real problem because the plants cover most of the container so that they inhibit algal growth by the shade they give, and in any case one often sees very little of the water anyway.
When the lazy warm days of Summer are over and the day-bed has been put away it is all too easy to forget the plants as they die back in Autumn frosts. This is the time to remember that the plants in your pots are a lot more vulnerable than their colleagues in flower beds; the cold of Winter doesn't just penetrate from the surface but nips in from the sides and bottoms of the pots as well. This means that measures need to be taken to protect the plants as even those that are characterised as being ultra hardy may not be in these conditions. In particular the popular miniature water-lilies can suffer badly, however, it is a simple matter to take them into frost free surroundings for the Winter months.
It is useful to remember too that the pots and containers we buy are usually bought for their own appearance and if you have a particularly vigorous plant that you know and love, and are growing it, perhaps, as a single specimen, do remember to divide it and watch it so that it's own strength doesn't break the pot. The power of plant roots is very considerable and they can do a lot of very expensive damage.
Plants suitable for growing in Tubs and Containers
Acorus gramineus and all it's varieties Iris versicolor
and it's varieties Nymphaea pygmaea and it's varieties
Aponogeton distachyos Juncus effusus spiralis Nymphaea tetragona
Baldellia ranunculoides Menyanthes trifoliata Peltandra undulata
Butomus umbellatus and it's varieties Mimulus g. 'Richard Bish' Pontederia cordata alba
Calla palustris Mimulus ringens Ranunculus flammula minor
Caltha leptosepala Myosotis scorpioides and vars Sagittaria s. Flore Pleno
Caltha palustris (some) Nymphaea ' Froebelii' Sagittaria s. 'Bloomin Babe'
Carex elata aurea Nymphaea odorata minor Sagittaria g..'Crushed Ice'
Cyperus eragrostis Nymphaea 'W.B.Shaw' Eriophorum vaginatum
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Nymphaea ' James Brydon
Plants that look Aquatic but Aren't
These plants can be used to enhance the appearance of pond surrounds in conditions which preclude the growing of damp loving species. They are all characterised by being "Rushy or Grassy", "Large and Lush", or "Ferny or Mossy" in appearance.
Aconitum Crocosmia Miscanthus Primula Trollius Agapanthus Euphorbia Molinia Ranunculus
Veronica Ajuga Fallopia Ophiopogon Rheum Arisarum Ferns Oxalis Rumex Aruncus
Hemerocallis Persicaria Sanguisorba Astilbe Iris Petasites Scilla Carex Kniphofia
Phalaris Sinocalia Chaerophyllum Liriope Plantago Smilacina Cimicifuga Luzula Pleioblastus Stipa Corydalis Lysimachia Polygonatum Trifolium
Plants frequently sold as Aquatics but Aren't
Whilst some of these plants like damp conditions they don't appreciate being drowned. Often they seem to thrive during the Summer but they almost always rot in the Winter.
Geum rivale Lobelia siphilitica Ranunculus acris Hosta Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ranunculus ficaria Iris ensata Lysimachia nummularia Rumex sanguineus
Iris sibirica Petasites Sisyrinchium cvs. Primula cvs.
For more information see ''Water in a Small Garden'' by John Carter of Rowden Gardens,
published by Dorling Kindersley for the RHS. ISBN: 9781405315944
We cannot emphasize too strongly the need for care in the disposal of surplus garden plants. Enormous damage has been done to the environment by garden escapes,
particularly into waterways and rivers.
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