It probably is a little too early to add plants unless you're sure you've had your last frost. One great place to get plants is here! Even if you do not have anything to trade, some generous members will send you plants for the cost of postage. Also, I have had a lot of success buying plants on ebay, just make sure you read the feedback of the sellers. Right now I have a very mature white water lily I'm dividing that will put out lots of leaves and flowers this year if you want some for trade or postage.

A lot of garden centers have plants which have tubers in packages this time of year. You can get quite a few varieties such as water lily, cattails, iris, etc. They grow fairly quickly so if you want to save money, buy 1 each of a few types, plant them in large pots and divide them next spring to double or triple your numbers.

Also take a look at this article before you plant. It may be something you want to try.
http://www.bonniesplants.com/how_to/soiless_planting.html

Here is a link that might be useful: My pond the way it was before the freeze.

For fast growers I recommend pickeral rush, water iris, and water canna. They grow like crazy so you'll have big plants this year and be dividing next year.

I agree with what's said above, post on this forums plant exchange now and you'll get the BEST plants, many will trade land plants for aquatics. Good luck, isn't it fun? So much to choose from!

Home Depot...if you have one near you. They have cheap plants that are hardy.

Also, most Mahoney's carry water plants.

Walmart has cheap prices - use land plants - impatiens are wonderful, I plant them in planters, floating islands.
Many annuals will grow in water just remember to keep the crown of the plant out of the water - the more the better and plants are great filters. Like mint? - it grows great in just rocks. This year I'm trying sveral floating islands using poly batting and some pea gravel as a cover over the batting - also trying wild flow mix this year. I add time release fertilizer, Job tomato sticks asre fine, I've used Job flow sticks also Impatiens love being soiless planters in water - just keeep the crowns above the water level - crown is where the stem and roots meet. last summer, I raided my wife's annuals and had good success. Annuals are cheap, fun to try, and you don't have a great expense if there is a loss. I have ivy growing in soiles planters, Water iris, a cattail, a fern did well last year, and some other plants I can't remember their names. bottom line, cheap and fun.
Hey - that's the fumn of ponding. WARNING -domn't let the plants or fish read "what the experts say" and you'll be okay.

Something you can put in right now is watercress. Go to your local supermarket or oriental grocery if the supermarket does not carry it and buy a couple of bunches. It will be the cheapest pond plant you can buy. It likes cold weather and is tolerant to frost. It also likes to be where the water is flowing like near your waterfall or in a stream.

I whole-heartedly agree about the watercress-- About two weeks ago I remebered a discussion on this forum about it and purchased a bunch for .89 at my local supermarket. I divided it into 4 smaller bunches and just tucked each one into the gravel between rocks in my stream. As you can see in the photo below, it is thriving in the cooler water/air temps of spring.
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The pansies and violets were just planted this week, so I anxious to find out if they like it there or not. They're in soil, a little higher up from the water, but still plenty wet. Has anyone tried planting either of these directly in gravel?

I realize the watercress and pansies won't last long once the hot dry Kansas winds arrive, but by then, the mint will have taken over anyway! :-)

Sherry

This is for Prairie bogger...be careful! Mint is very invasive. Once it gets warm, the mint will take off and spread every where. You'll be spending the next few years pulling it out.
Marjorie

Marjorie, thanks for the warning. Yes, I'm well aware of what mint will do--hence the comment about the mint taking over by the time the watercess and panises are gone (most likely choked to death...:-)

Despite it's drawbacks, I love the way it covers large areas and doesn't seem to mind the hot dry winds that blast out of the south here and seem to wither everything else. It also does an excellent job of filtering in the bog filter and is relatively easy to pull up out of the gravel. I do have to be vigilant about not letting it escape the gravel in the stream and bog. But then there's nothing I like better than "playing" in and around my pond, even if others might call it "weeding"!

Sherry

I, too, put some watercress in my creek last year. It has survived (and thrived) over the winter, even with our unusual freezing temps here. In fact, it survived so well, I tried pulling some out of the creek. It's one solid mat. LOL Pruners or a large knife are needed. :D

I have mint spreading around my yard; haven't tried it in the creek yet, since the watercress is working well. I like the way the mint spreads, too, and provides a nice underplanting for taller plants. It smells great when I brush up against it in the yard, too. Not for those fearful of abduction, though. :)

Brenda

I wish I could find watercress. I looked at 2 large supermarkets and also at walmart. No luck. I guess no one here in central Missouri uses it. Any other ideas as to where to get it? thanks in advance

Someone has mentioned that Asian grocery stores often carry it. If you don't have one of those close by you might also see if one of your local stores could special-order it for you. Years ago my local grocer did when I needed some for watercress sandwiches at a tea party.

Sherry