The Benefits of Natural Shores around Neighborhood Ponds

 

Ponds come in many shapes and sizes, and can serve numerous functions.  In urban areas, most ponds hold back stormwater to prevent flooding and also trap nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants.  Unfortunately, it's common to find invasive weeds like narrow-leaf cattail, reed canary grass, and Canada  thistle along pond shore areas. 

 

Sometimes turf grass is used to manicure pond shores.  During extended rainy periods, like this spring, the turf gets smothered by the high water and eventually dies.  This often leads to erosion and bank slumping.   On top of this, huge flocks of Canada geese consider turf shorelines prime habitat.  And muskrat can easily tunnel in turf pond shores, which leads to cave-ins and more erosion.

People often hear about shore restoration on Minnesota's numerous lakes, but sometimes overlook the idea of introducing native plant communities around neighborhood ponds.  Your pond can be surrounded by brilliant colors and amazing textures throughout the year.

Weeds and turf can be replaced by a solid natural shore that can tolerate flooding and muskrat activity. A natural buffer around your pond can help stop excess nutrients and other pollutants from entering the water, helping to improve pond water quality.

 

Geese think "predator" when they see a natural buffer,

 and prefer low growing turf along the water.  Song birds will stop by and munch on the native plant seed heads.  Bees and butterflies will zoom in and out of the wildflowers, looking for that preferred plant species.  There is a huge pallet of native plants with different heights, colors, and bloom periods.  You can keep it simple or go for maximum biodiversity.

Here are a few key plants that do great around ponds and provide all of the benefits mentioned above:

1. Blue Flag Iris- A native iris to Minnesota that does well in full or partial sun, grows 1.5-3 feet and blooms from June to July.
2. Swamp Milkweed- A very popular plant for monarch butterflies, it has a pink flower that blooms from June to August. It grows in full sun and can be 3-4 feet tall.
3. Prairie Cordgrass- An interesting looking grass common in many shoreline restorations, it grows in full or partial sun and can be 3-6 feet tall.
4.  Blue Lobelia- An attractive blue flowered plant that grows 1-3 feet tall, grows in full or partial sun, and blooms from July to September. 
5. Joe Pye Weed- Has pink flowers that bloom from July to September. It does well in full or partial sun and grows 3-6 feet tall.