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This collection has been put together by the leading grower of cold-water pond plants in the UK and has been selected for their oxygenating abilities. Throughout the day submerged foliage gives off valuable oxygen by means of photosynthesis, creating a balanced and healthy environment. We recommend up to 25% of all aquatic planting should consist of these plants.
Some plants may be cut back for packaging purposes, do not worry, this process will encourage fresh new growth once plant has been potted.
This pack will contain any 5 different cold-water pond plants from the selection below:
*plants included vary depending on seasonal availability, duplicates may be sent if selection is limited
Anagalis tenella - This delicate little plant has masses of tiny round leaves on creeping stems. Pretty pink flowers are held above the leaves; the flowers open widely in full sun. It can be grown as a shallow water oxygenator or a marginal plant. Submerged oxygenating plants help to balance the pond ecology, increasing the oxygen level in the water during daylight hours and providing cover for pondlife. They help to reduce unsightly algae and provide a better environment for fish.
Eleocharis acicularis - Hair grass has fine, bright green leaves and grows in attractive tufts. It can be planted as a shallow water oxygenator on the marginal shelf or submerged up to 60 cm deep.
Hippuris vulgaris - A submerged plant growing on fleshy, cylindrical stems that emerge above the water surface. Standing straight with whorls of thin, feathery leaves. Submerged green leaves help to increase the oxygen in the pond water. Plant in a medium container using aquatic soil, covering with pea gravel.
Hottonia palustris - This beautiful British native oxygenating plant has soft, delicate green foliage and emergent pink flowers. Has the immediate benefit of balancing the pond, increasing the oxygen level and helping reduce unsightly algae. Provides a better environment for fish. It can be grown in bog conditions when it produces dry foliage.
Hydrocotyle vulgaris - Has masses of small round green leaves that form floating mats. - A hardy, strong-growing, British native plant.
Myriophyllum brasiliensis - This variety of parrot feather has attractive red stems which contrast with the bright green whorls of feathery leaves. Adaptable to shallow or deeper water. Helps reduce algae and balance the pond.
Myriophyllum crispatum - Attractive oxygenating plant with both submerged and emergent foliage. Has pretty whorls of bright green feathery leaves and tiny reddish flowers in summer. A very adaptable plant, the underwater leaves help with oxygenation and the stems emerge above the water surface to provide a pretty marginal plant.
Scirpus cernuus - Also called the 'Fibre optic plant', this bright green rush with slender evergreen leaves grows in attractive clumps. A native British plant that produces masses of tiny white flowers on emergent foliage. The submerged green shoots can assist with oxygenation of the pond water. It provides good habitat for wildlife. Plant in a medium container using aquatic soil with a good covering of pea gravel to prevent fish from uprooting the plants. This versatile grass can also be planted in a moist situation in the garden where it's attractive and unusual foliage contrasts well with other plants.
Please note that these are plug plants which will require potting into suitable conditions as soon and they arrive.
For this we recommend our Pond Planting Packs, which include baskets, soil, gravel and fertiliser. Available in 3 or 5 packs here or as an additional purchase above.
Care instructions
When your pack arrives unwrap carefully and make sure all plants are damp before potting.
Planting instructions
Take a suitable fine-mesh basket, half-fill with aquatic soil. Place plant in centre of basket. Be careful not to damage the roots of the plant when placing. Fill remainder of basket with soil. Lightly firm soil around crown of the plant to within 2.5cm of top of the basket. Gently apply a layer of washed horticultural gravel. Submerge the re-potted plant in the pond to allow absorption of water and discourage any seepage.
We encourage you to initially place the basket at a shallower depth to allow the plant to acclimatise. Then lower to the required depth.
Basket size |
Number of plants |
Aquatic soil required |
11cm Square |
1 |
1L |
17cm Round |
1 |
2L |
17cm Square |
1 |
2L |
Contour Baskets |
3 |
7L |
After Care
Trim decaying foliage every autumn/early spring 5cm above the crown of the plant and compost accordingly. Do not dispose of plants in the wild.
Re-plant every 1-2 years in a larger basket
Please note that these species are suitable for ornamental or wildlife pond use and are non-invasive. Excess growth of any species used in a garden setting should be disposed of responsibly and never introduced to wild habitats.
Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) has been historically misidentified as M. brasiliense, whereas the true Brazilian red stemmed parrot’s feather/milfoil is a much less aggressive plant. Marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) is a native relative of the invasive Floating pennywort (H. ranunculoides).
The condition of your plant may vary by order date and from what you see in your local store. We aim to give you the largest and most luscious plant possible but this is dependant on the time of year and seasonal variation.
Plant Variety |
Common Name |
Planting depth (water above top of pot) |
Flower Colour |
Flowering period |
Origin |
Anagalis tenella |
Pink Pimpernel |
8-20cm |
Pink |
Jun-Aug |
Europe |
Eleocharis acicularia |
Hair grass |
8-60cm |
White/Brown |
Jul-Aug |
UK |
Hippuris vulgaris |
Mares Tail |
8-20cm |
NA |
NA |
UK |
Hottonia palustris |
Water Violet |
8-90cm |
Pink |
Jun-Aug |
UK |
Hydrocotyle vulgaris |
Marsh Pennywort |
8-25cm |
White |
Jun-Aug |
UK |
Myriophllum brasiliensis |
Red stemmed parrots feather |
8-25cm |
NA |
NA |
South America |
Myriophllum crispatum |
Upright water milfoil |
8-25cm |
Red |
Jun-Jul |
Australia |
Scirpus cernuus |
Slender club rush |
8-12cm |
White |
Jun-Jul |
Northern Hemisphere |
Delivery
Delivery costs for your order will be calculated during the checkout process based on your delivery address and the contents of your basket. You will only pay one delivery charge for your order. Express delivery is FREE for online orders OVER £39 unless any of the points below become a factor.
We only ship to the UK and cannot ship internationally.
We aim to dispatch items that are currently in stock on the same working day if they are ordered before 2.45 pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Orders after 3pm will be dispatched the following working day, unless it fits any of the below criteria:
Returns
If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase online from our website, you can return the product and get a full refund or exchange the product for another one, for up to 21 days from the date you purchased it.
We strongly suggest signing up for an account with fishkeeper.co.uk as this will allow for some additional returns options like return to your local store.
If you checkout as a guest you will need to return the product to Maidenhead Aquatics, PO Box 619, Egham, Surrey, TW20 2BS, please package the order (along with a packing slip or a note including your name, address and order number).
Large pallet items like aquariums are deemed delivered successfully with no damage once the the driver has left the property. If a report of damage is submitted after the driver has left we may be unable to assist with replacements. We recommend refusing a damaged delivery, this is the fastest resolution.
Our full terms and conditions can be found here. When you place an order with us online you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here