All ponds need managing just like gardens need weeding. Even native plants can dominate and become a nuisance without a little attention. We recommend that appropriate measures are taken to remove all non native invasive plants before they become a problem and take over your pond or escape into the countryside. New plants can regenerate from the smallest amount of plant material, therefore it is important to prevent fragments from spreading when carrying out any type of pond maintenance. Always ensure that equipment and boots are thoroughly cleaned. Do not transport/transfer material between ponds and never dispose of them down the drain where they can enter a watercourse.
Click on the links for management and disposal advice for the most unpopular pond invaders.
What to do with an empty pond?
Ponds tend to look quite bare once the unwanted vegetation has been removed, especially if they were particularily infested. Owners are often tempted to re-plant immediately however, we recommend that you wait for plants to arrive naturally. This way your pond is more likely to be colonised by local native plants.
If timescales are an issue and you wish to plant up your pond always make sure you know what you are buying. Regrettably, some aquatic non-native invasive plants are still on sale in garden centres . To avoid accidentally buying an invasive plant always check the label. This sounds obvious but common names can vary and there have been incidents where the two part Latin name has also been misrepresented eg parrot's feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum has been labelled as Brazilian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum brasillense and Myriophyllum proserpinacoides. Avoid plants with descriptions like "vigorous" or "fast" growth or those sold as an oxygenator variety pack without individual labels. If your local plant stockists do not have proper labelling, alert them to the problems of invasive plants and ask them about the native plants they stock. Also beware of labelling suggesting "British grown" this may be the case but does not always mean native to Britain. It is always best to check if you are unsure.
Finally, before planting your new plants always check for hitchhikers, small fragments from different species can often get attached to pots, roots or buried in compost.
Our list of recommended pond plants is designed to help you chose native plants that will help create a wildlife friendly pond.
Pond Check
Obtaining your FREE pond check couldn't be easier, simply either text or email a clear image of your pond and if possible a close up of the plants that you are concerned about together with your name and postcode. Alternatively, fill in the online recording form if you wish to provide a more detailed description to contribute to our records, or download a recording form to survey a local community pond.
Contact Options
email pondcheck@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Text POND to 60300 followed by your name, postcode and image (messages charged at your standard network rate).
Online Recording Form
Download Recording Form to take into the field and return it to Lisa at ERCCIS, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ
Helping protect wildlife from invasive species
