Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Help selecting the right plant

I want to introduce a plant to my pond that will help give cover to bluntnose minnows and give my golden shiners a place to spawn.

I don't want a plant that is going to grow out of control. I want something that I can put in 2-4 feet of water and not have it spread like hydrilla and ruin everything LOL.

I am planning on building my pond somewhere in the south, so warm water plants are probably the way to go. Georgia was on my list of possible states, Texas is on the list. So, keep that in mind.

I am learning so much on this forum it is ridiculous. Thank you for all of the help. You guys have been a bigger help in me learning what I need to know than you could possibly imagine.

There are a number of plants that you could use. Unfortunately some of these are on state and/or federal invasive plant lists so you'd have to do your homework. Alligator weed and the many primroses are a couple of them. One that I like is water willow, Justicia americana. Its easy to establish and is fun to fish around. May sprout up alittle late for golden shiner spawning depending on your location. Maiden cane is another one but takes a long time to establish. There are also a variety of smartweeds that will grow out to 2-4 feet of water essentially as a mat. The usuals like pickerel weed and duckpotato are more marginal than submersed. There are quite a few hybrid water lilies on the market that spread very slowly as compared to native white water lilies or spadderdock. All of these can be selectively controlled with herbicides when the time comes. These will also improve your redear population/panfish food chain. Hope this helps.

The other option would be to plant the species that will give cover to the bluntnose and the YOY GHS. Buy the spawning mats that are designed to provide the proper GSH spawning substrate, and remove them after the eggs hatch.