Looking to get plants started in new pond freshly filled! Plus should I stock small feeder fish now? Like fathead minnows and crayfish?
In your shoes I'd take a hard look at button bush.
I live in the South, but button bush do fine up North, too. They are extremely hardy, attract ducks, hummingbirds and butterflies, and can take periodic flooding. Indeed, they even grow in shallow water, up to about a foot (I think).
Their roots are deep and excellent for erosion control in areas prone to that. Also, of course, where they grow in the water gives shelter to smaller fish.
One caveat: Don't plan them where you intend to fish from the shore. (This can be a plus if you have your own boat and want to discourage poachers, though!)
