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Companion planting advice around pond

Ben in Norcal

By Ben in Norcal
in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

Posted
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Re-working the area around my pond - a really nice D. onilahensis went in today (far left of picture), and I ripped out a few things that were getting too big (mostly L. chinensis). In addition to the new D. onilahensis, I have (from L to R) a Sabal mauritiiformis, some heliconia, A. cunninghamiana, various Trachycarpus (martianus, latisectus, takil), and a small Foxy Lady around the pond.

So...what should I do here? Some cannas around the kings? Some hibiscus maybe?? What would YOU do?

11904098_10152977213667234_1396453627858

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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Kim Grand Master

Kim

Posted
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Some big-leaf Alocasia calidora or similar and Russelia equisetiformis would create nice contrast with each other, the Russelia flowers echoing the red-orange of the fish, and both pushing a lush, tropical vibe.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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John Case Grand Master

John Case

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Gingers, all kinds!

John Case

Brentwood CA

Owner and curator of Hana Keu Garden

USDA Zone 9b more or less, Sunset Zone 14 in winter 9 in summer

"Its always exciting the first time you save the world. Its a real thrill!"

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Really full garden Grand Master

Really full garden

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Ben it looks very shady there? I would plant some hardy bromeliads,some Aechmeas and a few neoregelias are hardy zone 9A/B.

Acubas are colorful and are nice croton substitutes.

I also like some of the new varieties of dwarf nandina. I also like philodendron Xanadu.

A well behaved bamboo (like Wamin or Chungii) would be great in the background as would a hedge of Rhapis palms.

Remember to plant in layers and multiples to attain a tropical / lush look.

Leave spots among the foliage to hide pots of tender tropicals to spend the warm months as part of your landscape.

El Oasis - beach garden, distinct wet/dry season ,year round 20-38c

Las Heliconias - jungle garden ,800m elevation,150+ inches rainfall, year round 15-28c

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

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Thanks folks! This area is actually quite sunny - the picture was taken in the evening. I started with a couple of cool looking cannas, a couple of hibiscus, and I liked the satsuma idea so I did that too! I'm going to look for some of the other stuff that I could not find locally. Keep the ideas coming! :winkie:

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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Xenon Grand Master

Xenon

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Wow are you into koi? Can't really tell from the pic but your koi look pretty nice, def above filler quality.

Um plants...maybe some ti plants?

Jonathan

Katy, TX (Zone 9a)

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

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Yeah, koi are another one of my addictions! I bought all these guys pretty small a few years back, they grow so fast. All are decent quality Japanese imports. Not the best of the best but you can see they are reasonable quality...

Ti plants are another good idea!!! And I know where to get some of the funky black ones locally.

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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sur4z Grand Master

sur4z

Posted
Posted

What about adding some water lilies like Red Paradise or Hollandia or Amabilis?

The weight of lies will bring you down / And follow you to every town / Cause nothin happens here

That doesn't happen there / So when you run make sure you run / To something and not away from

Cause lies don't need an aero plane / To chase you anywhere

--Avett Bros

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Really full garden Grand Master

Really full garden

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What about adding some water lilies like Red Paradise or Hollandia or Amabilis?

It is very difficult to maintain koi and waterlilies in the same pond.Usually end up with cloudy water and half dead waterliles.Koi love to dig and root into the substrate.

El Oasis - beach garden, distinct wet/dry season ,year round 20-38c

Las Heliconias - jungle garden ,800m elevation,150+ inches rainfall, year round 15-28c

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

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What about adding some water lilies like Red Paradise or Hollandia or Amabilis?

It is very difficult to maintain koi and waterlilies in the same pond.Usually end up with cloudy water and half dead waterliles.Koi love to dig and root into the substrate.

This is correct. Any vegetative matter is not going to work with 2ft long + koi. They will literally climb out of the water to get at it.

That's why I have the wakin and lily pond out front!

11058727_10152983198667234_1666673788897

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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_Keith Grand Master

_Keith

Posted
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That is a really nice pond Ben. Anything will go well there. I am thinking Ginger family.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

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Thanks Keith! Built it all myself, down to digging the 15x8xmore than 4ft deep hole by hand! I have some Alpinia purpurea on the way to satisfy the ginger requirement!!

Thanks for the thoughts!!

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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Monòver Grand Master

Monòver

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I don't like plants like Hibiscus near the pond. It has small leaves and flowers, and in windy days, your pond will be full of leaves.

The best will be bromeliads,alocasias and zingibers.

The costus barbatus will be a nice option near your pond.

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

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I don't like plants like Hibiscus near the pond. It has small leaves and flowers, and in windy days, your pond will be full of leaves.

The best will be bromeliads,alocasias and zingibers.

The costus barbatus will be a nice option near your pond.

I have a skimmer. :winkie:

But I like the suggestions...looking into some more of these!

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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Monòver Grand Master

Monòver

Posted
Posted

I don't like plants like Hibiscus near the pond. It has small leaves and flowers, and in windy days, your pond will be full of leaves.

The best will be bromeliads,alocasias and zingibers.

The costus barbatus will be a nice option near your pond.

I have a skimmer. :winkie:

But I like the suggestions...looking into some more of these!

Skimmer!!!

This is not a pond, this is a pool!!! Jajajaja

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Ben in Norcal Grand Master

Ben in Norcal

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I don't like plants like Hibiscus near the pond. It has small leaves and flowers, and in windy days, your pond will be full of leaves.

The best will be bromeliads,alocasias and zingibers.

The costus barbatus will be a nice option near your pond.

I have a skimmer. :winkie:

But I like the suggestions...looking into some more of these!

Skimmer!!!

This is not a pond, this is a pool!!! Jajajaja

That's what my wife says! But she won't get in it, with the beasties... :mrlooney:

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

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