Harrowsmith – June 2019

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GARDENING: GARDENING: DUNDURN CASTLEWATER WORLD


Our favourite aquatic plants


Cattail


A hardy plant for shallow water.
Best planted at the edge of your
water garden. Cattails have tall
foliage. Famously known for their
brown catkins in early autumn.
Many varieties are available,
ranging in size and colour.


Water iris


A great choice for ponds or bog
gardens. Irises grow well in full sun
or partial shade. They are available
in a variety of colours. Our favourite
is blue water iris. They bloom in
spring for a spectacular show.
The foliage is tall and very showy
through the summer months.


Water lilies
We prefer hardy water lilies over the tropical form. Hardy water lilies can
be left in the water garden all year. They require a minimum of six hours
of sunshine each day. The blooms will appear on the water surface. Hardy
water lilies are available in white, pink, yellow and red.

You will discover a whole new world in your backyard if you are successful
in attracting beneficial wildlife to your pond or water feature. Note that
dragonflies eat insects, including mosquitoes. Toads and frogs will breed
there and make a racket all night long in spring and early summer as they call
out to one another in love song. Do your best to ignore them.
The presence of water in our outdoor living area provides untold benefits
to the human users. Think about it: Why do so many of us travel to cottage
country on summer weekends? You can bet that it has a lot to do with a
primal instinct to be near water. It has this habit of calming us down. If the
water is moving, as in a backyard fountain, waterfall or stream, so much the
better. In addition to the calming effects, you will muffle out much city noise
and the ambient sounds of urban life. H
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