Its such a great life for the frogs....sitting on the lily pads basking in the sun. Could life be any better???? These pictures were shared by one of our customers who received these tadpoles in the spring and now they are frogs enjoying the life in their new home. Thank you again for sharing your pictures.
Just another benefit that a pond can provide for our enjoyment and relaxation. Plants, boulders or fallen logs provide good sunny resting areas for frogs, dragonflies or turtles to take a breather.
Now that winter is approaching another good idea for those having frogs in their ponds is to provide a hiding place for the winter. If you need you can create an area for them by placing a container in your pond filled with sand. This will give the frogs a place to bury themselves for the winter. Make sure its deep enough so that if your pond freezes over it will be beneath the ice. Always leave an open space in your pond to provide oxygen for your friends.
This time of year we all are enjoying our gardens. Whether it be a pond, flower bed, vegetable garden or just general landscaping its a good feeling to sit back and reap the rewards of our efforts.
I spent hours weeding our vegetable garden yesterday as I had neglected it for a couple weeks. I can't understand why the weeds seem to grow overnight. Other than throwing them in the compost what other need do we have for them?
But I did pick a nice batch of tomatoes. Now its time to start working putting them away for the winter. I enjoy canning almost as much as I enjoy my pond. And there are so many ways to can tomatoes that can be enjoyed all winter long, that is if you don't eat most of them while your picking.....
Then as I was wondering about in the garden I got caught up in the wonders of nature. I like nothing better than watching the dragonflies, butterflies and yes the bees frolic around the garden. Its my favorite time of the year. I tried to get a picture of a hummingbird but they are so quick he didn't give me time to click....
Variegated cattail, Typha latifolia 'Variegata' is an attractive bog plant for any pond. The variegation in this cattail is bold forming bright green and white longitudinal stripes. The Variegated Cattail will grow to 5 feet tall in sun to part shade. It requires moist soil or water to 12 inches deep. It does well in Zones 4-11. The Variegated Cattail doesn't grow as readily as the other cattails and doesn't like to be transplanted.
The Variegated Cattail is a nice addition to any pond and provides a taller backdrop for smaller plants around your pond. In addition, it also is a great pond plant that will attract dragonflies and other wildlife to your water garden.
Where is my pond and the fish? They are in complete darkness probably wondering what happened overnight since yesterday even some of the ice had melted away and I could see the fish.
We just were blessed with 8 inches of snow overnight but who can complain when the East got so much more snow than Ohio. You have to admit it is pretty even if I'm anxiously awaiting spring as I'm sure most of you are too.
I thought I'd do a series on the different cattails since there are several and each is alittle different. The cattail is a bold vertical accent for any pond or water garden. We carry the Common Cattail, Dwarf Cattail, Graceful Cattail, Variegated Cattail and Zebratails Cattail.
Today we'll talk about the Common Cattail also known as the Typha latifolia, which is the most popular of the cattails. This cattail we often see growing in wetlands and ditches. It is used often as water filtration and will add dimension to any water garden landscape. For those creating a water garden using a natural filtration system rather than a filter system this would be a good plant for that purpose.
Its also a good pond plant to add to encourge Dragonflies to your pond since they like to perch on them, especially the juveniles since it gives them a place to crawl up when they emerge from the water. To attract the dragonflies you would want to plant them away from fast moving water or waterfalls. They prefer calming waters.
It grows in sun to part shade and does well in moist soil or water up to 12 inches deep and will reach close to 7 feet tall. It is considered to be a hardy bog pond plant and will survive in Zones 3-11.
Common Cattail
This picture was sent to us from a customer. It would only make sense that we would have a lot of pictures of Dragonflies. Dragonflies, I believe bring good luck. They are a symbol of transformation and life's ever-constant process of change. Change.....we seem to be hearing that a lot lately. I could spend hours sitting by my pond watching dragonflies, as they are so amazing, how quickly they can land in on a pond plant, change flight patterns and sparkle in the sunlight.
Dragonflies are usually always found around your pond eating small insects and mosquitoes helping to control the population of harmful insects. Their larvae, known as "nymphs" are aquatic.
Plants that one may put in their water feature to attract dragonflies and damselflies would be rushes and sedges that rise up above the water surface, that provide a perch for them. Horsetail rush, cattails, zebratails and other long stemmed sedges and rushes are good for this. Try to keep them away from fast moving water or waterfalls. They prefer calming waters. These type of plants also give the juveniles a place to crawl up when they emerge from the water. By putting other water plants such as marsh marigolds, ludwigia, arrowheads, and irises etc. it gives them a place to lay their eggs. Lay some bright colored flat rocks around the edges of your pond for the dragonflies and damselflies to sit on. To encourage them to hang around your water garden try planting other wildflowers around your pond. You'll not only attract dragonflies but will also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
We chose the name Dragonfly Aquatics because of the beauty and symbolism of the dragonfly. What better way to describe the enjoyment one gets from their water garden.
