Not everyone would consider ponds when thinking about garden habitats for pollinators. However, if planted with these insects in mind, a pond (or other water feature) can be extremely beneficial.
Many native pond plants provide important nectar and pollen. The best of these include:
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Water Forget-me-not (Myositis scorpiodes)
Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Common Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis)
Common Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis)If you don’t have enough room for a pond, a bog garden featuring marginal plants such as Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) will also add to the availability of food for pollinators.
And of course, ponds and wet areas are great for other wildlife such as amphibians and dragonflies. As wildlife garden expert, Chris Baines, says –
” A wildlife garden without a pond is like a theatre without a stage.”
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
