Q: I'm just beginning a new water garden I have a 225 gal preformed liner and would like suggestions on new plants and several fish. I have been doing some research into this but would like and idea of possible first starts, something that's maybe hardy and easily taken care of. I would appreciate any suggestions.

M.J.

A: Most of the aquatic plants are easy to grow. I can make a few suggestions of things that are easier than most. Graziella is a good hardy lilly that is not very big, so it will not take over the entire surface area of the pond. Pickeral rush is a nice upright bog plant the will flower through the summer until first frost. Water iris are notorious for their durability and flower in the spring. Elodea canadensis is good oxygenator that will grow quickly and is hardy. When you first stock your pond remember that many of the plants you put in at this time of year may be coming on with the season and not showing their full size. So try not to over do it initially. Water hyacinths are also considered an old staple for the pond. Floating on the surface, providing shade, and removing the nitrogen that aids algae growth. With a small water garden like the one you have you would consider using 1 or 2 of those. They grow quickly.

Butterfly koi in my opinion are the prettiest fish, grow the fastest, and are the toughest of the bunch. However they get big, quickly.

I hope that this was helpful.

Scott Bates