Aquatic iris would be an option where water levels give way to drought, they are tough as boots and less likely to be gobbled by grazing critters
I really like this idea!!! Any particular iris for West Central Texas?
I don't know many pond iris which are are not suitable for a pond location in Texas, some are especially picturesque just for looks.
Their rhizomes are extremely resilient to drought if water levels drop, fish and small critters will appreciate the shade they cast at the beginning and end of the day, they are well suited to be used as floating island plants as they have neutral buoyancy, that creates shade, shelter and a place for fish to spawn
In this pinterest gallery are photos of 20 or so pond iris I've collected over the years, I like them as they cope so well on my clay ponds which tend to drought harsh in the Summer months even with progressively hotter droughty summers (bone dry)
:::ahem::: I list spares for sale on craigslist now and then
I planted last Spring and over the summer pond dropped 4 feet did not fill back up until this Spring. The following plants were fine and are flourishing this year:
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica) Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)
Survey is still out on: Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) which I think is starting to come up. Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)
The White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is dead as a door nail.
Aquatic iris would be an option where water levels give way to drought, they are tough as boots and less likely to be gobbled by grazing critters
I really like this idea!!! Any particular iris for West Central Texas?
Brandon, here in E Texas, my Blue Flag and my Louisiana Iris has done really well planted along the water edge. The plants are setting in about a foot of water right now and last summer they did well about 18" from the waters edge. They are hardy and the also put out some nice looking flowers with the La being a yellow flower. Blue flag have already been pictured here. The iris is spreading by about 1/3rd of the original plant size. And doing well. hope this helps u make a call on the iris
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Thinking about establishing some Bulrush on a portion of our 15 acre lake. What are the pro and cons of doing this?
Thanks
I have a variety of Spike Rush that grew naturally in my old pond. I've transferred several plugs of it last fall to my main pond and a few of the plugs have taken hold. I really like it. My variety gets from 6-9" tall by the time it seeds out.
I also planted what I think is a soft rush in a couple places. It took hold well and is about 2-3' tall. I like it but think I like the spike rush better so when it got to the point of seeding out I whacked it with a mower so it would not spread by seed. Will leave the original plantings but would rather have the spike rush propagate more so want it to spread its seed around the pond more than the soft rush.
Also going to try some flag Iris (not sure of the variety yet). FIL/MIL has a large patch of it they cultivate in their yard and have given me permission to get some plantings from it.
I like the spike rush as well. I may have planted mine to close to the water line at very low pool last year though. It is under probably 2 feet of water now so not sure it will come back this year. I ordered more yesterday just in case. I also ordered a few Iris pseudacorus Yellow to see how they will do. More duck potato and a couple more lilies are also coming in the same order.
Have a few photos of some of the Rush on my place. I don't know the specific varieties but if I had to guess I would guess the smallest one pictured is one of the spike rush varieties and the larger specimens are one of the soft rush varieties.
The last picture is of a clump that I don't remember if it is from one of the spike rush plugs I transplanted last fall from my old pond or something that the birds have brought in. It looks just like what is in my forage pond. If it is the same spike rush that is in my old pond, it is a much better environment because it is getting bigger than that in my old pond (which is in a pure clay bank so is possible).
First three pictures are from my old pond.
I'm just shooting in the dark about the varieties. Maybe some of the experts can help out.
I ordered Hardstem Bulrush on Saturday. It arrived Tuesday and we got it planted. I'll post a pic if it does well....Actually found a place that prices their plants at reasonable prices geared towards farm pond owners, not Koi Pond owners. Also picked up a couple Hardy Yellow Lilies and several Yellow Sweetflag Iris, Duck Potato and Spike rush. All the plants looked great.