I need your collective advice as to plants I should consider adding in and around the new pond.
My goal is a low-maintenance pond that attracts a lot of wildlife. I don't want any of the "invasives" to make a maintenance chore to keep them from taking over.But I do want cover for the bfish and birds.
The pond was dug in August of 2005, has a 3:1 slope to 8' deep most places - one end is shallower and has structure - lots of 2'-3' depth there. The total surface when full about 2/3 acre - it is a little over 1/2 full now.
There is American Pondweed there already. The little pond nearby has cattails and creeping primrose - I am sure the cats will migrate and I will transplant some primrose unless advised other wise.
I hope to transplant from friends but am trying to get a list of what I want.
Near the pond I have woods (I will put up boxes for wood ducks), mowed fields, bog/swampy areas, a nearly year-round creek. I have some crabapples, wild cherry, typical hardwoods for NE Ohio and some conifers all near the ponds. Need advice on bushes/shrubs that would be useful to attact wildlife. We have lots of birds but want more. The best thing that could happen would be ducks but there may be too much mowing nearby the "wild" end of the pond, along with our human activity.
If you have particular plants that you think I should add to the list of what goes in or near the pond I would be grateful.
Good news (for me) - 7 turtles showed up and are sunning on the logs in the new pond.
