Native Plants
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Friday - March 27, 2009
From: Grand Junction, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Water Gardens
Title: Pond plants that ducks will NOT eat
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What kind of pond plants are there that ducks will NOT eat?ANSWER:
Well, I am sure that there are some pond plants that ducks won't eat, but I don't know specific ones. I do know, however, that ducks really like young and tender plants to eat; so, if you can protect your plants in enclosures until they are more mature, the ducks are not as likely to be able to completely destroy them. Another strategy is to overwhelm them with plants, especially grasses, rushes and sedges—that way the more ornamental plants might have a chance of surviving. Here is a link to an article, Plants for Ponds and Pens, from the British Waterfowl Association with suggestions on ways to maintain plants for ducks. By the way, you are not the first person to be frustrated with trying to maintain plants in the presence of ducks. Please see the answer to another recent question about ducks and plants.Here are some suggestions for grasses or grasslike plants for ponds or their edges that grow in or adjacent to Mesa County, Colorado:
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted hairgrass)
Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush)
Eleocharis palustris (common spikerush) and here are photos
Juncus torreyi (Torrey's rush)
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush)
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June 03, 2010 - I have a 25ft x 50ft field pond in Versailles, MO. What do you suggest for the water's edge plantings so that we might fish over them. Weed eating is eating ME up!
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Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC
July 12, 2012 - I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants
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Is it better...
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Native plants for a littoral zone in Fort Myers, Florida
June 05, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
What native plants would you recommend for the littoral zone on a pond in Fort Myers Florida?
Damon's Mom
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