Many plants that love moisture and thrive particularly well in moving water thrive in and around the water of a stream. Many types also have a cleaning character and filter pond water in a completely natural way. You can find out which plants are best suited for a stream in the following article.
The plants are the alpha and omega of the stream
What is the right way to plant a stream?
If the stream is connected to a pond, plants growing on and in the water can be used as a natural filter - this is particularly important when it comes to a fish pond. To do this, you first lead the pond water out of the pond to the creek source in order to let it flow back from there via the creek. The aquatic plants remove superfluous nutrients from the water flowing through (which come from uneaten fish food, for example) and also enrich it with oxygen due to the turbulence that occurs. Nevertheless, they do not replace the pond filter, because the stream planting only works as a supplement.
aquatic plants
For example, the following types are suitable for flowing, shallow waters - which, after all, includes a stream. It is best to plant them in a planting bag filled with substrate, which you can integrate into the stream at the desired location.
- Brook speedwell (Veronica beccabunga): ideal for the riparian zone, groundcover, pretty sky-blue flowers
- Umbellated swan flower (Butomus umbellatus): umbel-like inflorescence with large, red-white individual flowers
- Narrow-leaved cotton grass (Eriophorum angustifolium): pretty, white pompom flowers, but needs peaty, boggy soil
- English water mint (Preslia cervina): grows in loose clusters, pretty purple inflorescence
- Marsh forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris): numerous small, blue flowers
- Heart-leaved frog spoon (Alisma parviflorum): Due to the high nutrient requirement, it is particularly suitable for water purification
- Burning buttercup (Ranunculus flammula): pretty yellow flowers, needs boggy soil
- Pennywort (Lysimachia nummularia): makes a good groundcover for riparian areas, pretty yellow flowers
bank planting
Plants that like moisture but do not need waterlogging are particularly suitable for the pleasing planting of the bank area. In particular, pretty flowering plants as well as reeds and other grasses come into their own in this environment. For example, the following types are suitable:
- Günsel (Ajuga reptans): native groundcover with pretty purple flowers
- Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis): clumpy growth, light yellow flowers
- Water daffodil (Eupatorium cannabinum): clumpy growth, with reddish flowers
- Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): feathery, white flowers, important food plant for insects
- Japanese flag (Iris ensata): very pretty flowers
- Meadow iris (Iris sibirica): very pretty flowers
- Meadow knotweed (Polygonum bistorta): for natural planting
- Cuckoo campion (Lychnis floscuculi): native wildflower
tips
Do not plant the stream too densely, otherwise the natural character will be lost and the plants will overgrow the stream bed. Furthermore, the number of plants must be chosen to match the amount of water, so that the stream does not run dry.