Although species such as the broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) are not protected as a plant in Germany and many other countries, the preferred locations with swampy subsoil can be part of protected areas. When choosing the right kind of lamp cleaner for your own garden pond, the growth height of the respective species is usually the deciding factor.

Cattails provide shelter for small pond dwellers

Positive effects of cattails on the garden pond

As an aquatic and marsh plant, the cattail is not only a particularly decorative plant for the design of your own garden, but when planted in a garden pond it also fulfills important tasks in the following areas:

  • as a habitat for rare animals
  • as a biological measure against strong algae growth
  • for winter pond aeration
  • for partial shading of the water surface

In relatively small and flat garden ponds, the shadow cast by the well thought-out cattail can ensure that the water does not heat up as much in the summer due to the sun's rays. In addition, many rare insects and reptiles find a protected habitat between the leaves and inflorescences of cattails. If there is heavy algae growth in your pond, you can use the cattail as a water clarifier, as it consumes a lot of nutrients. That is why it is often used in biological sewage treatment plants.

Secure the garden pond against rampant cattail stocks

The bulrush is usually planted in boggy locations or in the shallow water zone of garden ponds. Under good site conditions, it can spread unintentionally if it is not placed in an appropriate plant basket (€11.99). Other marsh plants in the garden pond, such as the marsh marigold, can easily be pushed out by the cattail. On the other hand, species such as the reed, which are even more competitive than the lamp cleaner, are less sensitive.

Care measures for cattails at the pond

The cattail needs little or no maintenance in the shallow water zone of a garden pond, since it does not need to be watered or fertilized here. For visual reasons and to promote fresh shoots in spring, the lamp cleaner is often cut back in autumn or early spring to about 15 centimeters above the water or soil surface.

tips

If you are struggling with voles in your garden around the liner pond, you should think twice about planting cattails. Since the small rodents are extremely keen on the starchy rhizomes of the cattail, their teeth sometimes cause leaks in the pond liner.

Category:

Vegetable garden