New house with a pond - one end of the pond has a large flat area just above the water line that stays soppy wet. I have kept container bog gardens before and realize how important it is to keep nutrients out of the soil for carnivorous plants. My question is; Are there any pitcher plants, preferably larger ones that could be planted directly in this area with any success? The soil is poor with a lot of clay - I could ammend with peat to prevent compaction.
Second question as another thought. Could a large shallow container be sunk in this area filled with the proper media for carnivorous plants but sunk in such a fashion that the rim of container is just at the water line so the pond water keeps the container bog wet? Would there be too many nutrients in the water itself?
Thanks for the info - trying to set this end of the pond up with a "natural" looking bog garden - i.e. no containers visible.
Help!
Question 1- No
Question 2a- No 2b- Yes
You are attempting to place bog plants in the marginal area of a pond. This won't work based on the horror stories I've had shared with me from those who have tried this. Please know that I am one who most certainly likes to experiment and if I kill a few plants in the process... oh well but- I suspect you will lose any carnivorous plants you submerge in that area and it will only be a matter of time.
I have a particular fondness for aquatic and wetland species. Would you like me to suggest a few extremely attractive species that might work for you while providing you with that natural look you are striving for?
Thank you for your answers and yes, please do make suggestions. Thanks
Check these native beauties out:
Cardinalis lobelia
http://www.missouriplants.com/Redalt/Lobelia_cardinalis_page.html
Alisma subcordatum
http://www.hort.net/gallery/view/ali/alisu/
Canna flaccida
http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cann_fla.cfm
Saururus cernuus
http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Saururus_cernuus_page.html
And consider a few of these in upland areas around your pond to bring in the butterflies-
http://msucares.com/lawn/landscape/plants/native_shrub.html
Other than the few I had time to locate for you above, you can do a search for native emergent aquatic plants for your state. Look for sites that include inventories of plants so you can look them up for details.
Have fun!
This thread might be of help to you-
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/465245/
You might find something to help you here too-
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/460591/