If you are dealing with tree roots, creating a faux bog, surely a liner would be easier than trying to dig in a hard preformed pond. I've had some strange experiences with using hosta as a bog plant. Seems to florish. In one of my raised ponds, dug down 2 feet, then an additional foot raised above ground, I wanted to 'hide' the edges to make pond more natural looking. I wired logs I drug in from the woods, hollowed out holes in them at about 12-18" intervals. Then wired the logs around the pond right at water level. The wood wicks up water, which allows for a beautiful moss carpet I covered it with, and the hostas I planted in the holes are really thriving. Its gorgeous! Yes, the logs will eventually rot away, but before that, I will replace them and transplant the hostas into the new logs. I also found the hostas love being in ornate pots set in the water. I am finding many uses for them in and around my koi ponds/bog garden.

Thanks whippet lovers. I'm a Hostaholic with 147 varities and want to make use of any area possible. The pond liner is the way to go. I think I'll start digging this fall when it is cool and the ground is less hard. Would be a good start for spring planting.

You better be careful, you too could become a Hostaholic...there are so many to choose from!

Thanks for your response!

Deb