Pond Plant Planting Instructions

Submersed Plants
Spread roots out in a 2 gallon pot and fill with sand or gravel. (The roots serve only to anchor these plants as all nutrients come from the water and are absorbed by the leaves.) Place the pot at a depth of about 12" below the water surface. When the plant reaches the surface of the pond, lower the pot another 6".

Bog Plants
Carefully remove plant from the plastic pot in which it is shipped. Gently shake out the roots. Line a 2 gallon pot (8" diameter, 6" deep) with a layer of sphagnum moss or newspaper and fill half full with topsoil. Place the plant in the pot and fill remaining space with soil. Top with 1/2" of gravel or sand to prevent soil from washing away. Position the pot so that the top is at least 2" below the water surface.

Floating Plants
Unwrap plants and carefully spread out the roots and leaves. Float each plant on the surface of the pond. (These plants feed directly from the water through their roots so no additional fertilizer is necessary.) Occasionally thin floating plants so that no more than 60% of the pond's surface is covered to allow sunlight to reach fish and other vegetation in the pond.

Water Lilies
Lilies should be planted in tubs or baskets that are larger than 2 gallons (12" diameter, 8" deep). Baskets are preferable as lilies like good water flow. Line the container with sphagnum moss, leaves, or newspaper and fill with a mixture of four parts potting soil to one part compost or manure. Place root in pot with growing tips up and cover remaining half with additional soil. Press a 1" layer of sand or gravel on top to prevent soil from washing away and leaching into the water. Submerge the lily so that the leaves are at least 6" below the water surface. As the leaves grow to the surface of the pond, gradually lower the container until it is 18" below the water surface.
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