How To Soften The Edges Of Your Garden Pond

Fantastic! You've recognized the environmental benefits of adding a pond to your garden, and put one in. After lining the edges with rocks though, you notice the end result looks like what landscape and pond designers refer to as a "necklace" around your pond. Not only that, but the hard edges just look unnatural and unappealing. Plants (especially aquatic plants) that are artfully interspersed with the rocks will soften those edges and create a much more natural-looking pond. Imagine, for instance, a trailing plant like creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) cascading softly over the rocks. Integrating plants around the pond edge also stabilizes soil and benefits wildlife.

Choosing plants of different heights adds interest and dimension to your pond edge while replicating the natural transition from land to water. For a more natural look, favor clusters of similar plants over a wide assortment of different plants. Don't feel you need to fill every spot around the edge; leave some open space just as you would find around a pond in nature.

Naturally, you'll want to choose the right type of plant for your backyard pond edge. Four types are typically used in ponds – deep water, floating, submerged, and marginal plants. To soften edges, you'll primarily look at marginal plants. Sedge plants, such as inflated sedge (Carex vesicaria) and especially Bowles' golden sedge (Carex elata 'Aurea') provide pillowy mounds of long grass for a soft look at your pond's edge. Wapato (Sagittaria latifolia) brings arrow-shaped leaves and a floral touch to your pond with its delicate white blooms. You also might want to add the inviting soft texture of wool grass (Scirpus cyperinus) to your pond's perimeter.

These edge softeners are likely not the only plants you'll want to keep in your pond – consider native aquatic plants as well. You'll also want to ensure any plants you select are right for your hardiness zone. Adding mulch around the plants at the pond's edge (along with pebbles and stones) will also add softness.