Aquatic iris such as Versicolor. Laevigata, Louisiana have a neutral buoyancy, given the position when they mass up they will form a sustainable floating island.
They can be complemented with several low growing, spreading aquatic plants such as creeping jenny to go the whole hog on picturesque, as well as creating a safe den for fish to frolic about when the big bad bird Mr. Heron comes sneaking about, besides been shaded from hot midday sun
my blueflag and my Louisiana iris have done well in the water. Sometimes 6" of the plants are under water for a month at a time. They continue to start up new shoots and area. I am sure they would do well on your island.
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
I had been wanting an island and last week I put one in. I planted 4" Pickerelweed Plugs, Soft Rush Plugs & Blue Flag Iris Plugs. By the way, this is my second post on the forum (newbie). First one was about 5 min ago. :o) I'll post another one after it grows out some... I hope.
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Couldn't get hold of a trailer this weekend, looks like it will be a week or two before they go nautical.
These things are so large they look rather ominous against the side of my house. Maybe something you'd use to hide bodies, drugs, guns, or stuff like that.
I've told the neighbors what the deal really is, but they don't seem to believe me: Nobody allows their dog to poop in my yard anymore.
My second island isn't as pretty as my first but is more durable and practical. Turtles, frogs and birds use it all of the time and I use it to photograph since conditions for photo's are constantly changing. I think an island adds so much more to a pond.
Canyoncreek in the past conversation on islands a year or so ago on pond boss I have a complete description and pictures of how I built this island. The whole thing cost about $60. Basically is is built of 2" x 4' x 8' close cell building foam, pink or blue, you can buy at any big box store. Close cell foam will not absorb water. My first island has been in the water for 4 years. The cover on top of the foam is a walmart black rug made in Equipt and is quite rugged. Holding the rug to the foam is Gorilla Glue plus 4 bolts for extra rug attachment. It is anchored with parachute cord attached to one corner of the rug and to a boat anchor.
A floating pond island always struck me as a convenient way to make use of old tires, by bolting them together you can make them any configuration you like and after covering them with something suitable as structure for plants to mesh together on, are going to be doing something useful long after they were considered junk...
Creating shade from hot midday sun, protection from predators, a place for fish to spawn, and the bare rooted plants are going to be filtering water quality at the maximum rate...
