Ryan - Not hinting, just answering question of CoachB. Red tipped spreads faster and grows taller than V.a.spiral. It seems to me that the further south one is the faster spiral eelgrass spreads since it is semi-tropical. Personally I would try spiral eel grass first, then if it does not grow for you then explore red tipped which over winters well in plant zone 5.
No the purpose of the tub is to have some growing in better more protected conditions in case the stuff in the pond dies, then you still have some plants to work with. Don't plan on them spreading from seed nor 'creeping' out of the tub. Plants growing in the tub will need to be transplanted into the pond when the tub is full of pants. Tub planting also allows one to check if any contaminating or 'piggy back' exotic unwanted plants, in the form of seeds, spores, fragments, etc., are present in the shippment from the supplier- a very common occurrence. Contaminants will show up in the tub and can be removed. Contaminants are almost impossible to remove once they are established in the open pond. It is similar to quarantining wild fish before introducing them into your pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 06/26/12 10:22 AM.
