Pond Vegetation References

From Pond Informer – https://pondinformer.com/grasses-to-plant-around-ponds/

6) Carex sedges (Carex spp.)

Evergold sedge plant
One of the most commonly cultivated Carex species is Japanese sedge (pictured), which won the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man)CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

There are over 1,500 species of Carex sedges, and most of them favor the moist conditions of wetland areas across the globe. These true sedges are perennial plants that have both ornamental, restorative, and medicinal uses. Many species are prized by the horticultural community for their highly textured and multicolored tufts of leaves. These sedges certainly have character! Known for their attractive features, here are some of the most commonly cultivated species and cultivars:……. Unlike many grasses, Carex tufts tend to have a maximum height of 2 – 3 feet, with some averaging at just a foot tall. They are quite tame in terms of spread and are not known for being aggressive growers.

7) Woodoats (Chasmanthium spp.)

Chasmanthium latifolium plant
The most commonly grown woodoat, Chasmanthium latifolium (pictured), is popular in the landscaping industry due to its tolerance for a wide variety of sun exposure and soil moisture levels. Photo by David J. StangCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Native to North America

Woodoats is a collective term for grasses that belong to the Chasmanthium genus, which falls under the Poaceae family of true grasses. The most notable feature of these grasses is their flat seed head, which resembles those of oat plants. These seed heads tend to be quite pale, large, and droop downwards. They appear during spring, when conditions are optimal for pollination and seed production.

The most commonly grown woodoat is Chasmanthium latifolium. This species is also referred to as northern sea oats or Indian wood oats. It is popular in the landscaping industry due to its tolerance for a wide variety of sun exposure types and soil moisture levels. C. latifolium can serve as a tall ground cover plant in shady areas around your pond. Every summer, you can collect its seed heads and use them in flower arrangements!