My ponds are largely ornamental but, with three in total, of different sizes,depths and planting, I am expecting them to attract wildlife. There are some fish in one (4) which I know are not great for invertebrates, and this main pond is surrounded by paving – not ideal for creatures to get in and out either (though there are sloping ends so things that fall in can crawl out, and there are marginals in the water as well as lilies). The other ponds are surrounded by planting including low shrubs.

But I have already had dragonflies breeding in the ponds, whirligig beetles, pond skaters and pond beetles and I am not averse to planting anything that will help wildlife. Many birds bathe in the stream and pond edges where there are various depths of water. The latest addition to the big pond has been some water soldiers. They arrived by post so were a bit sulky but two of the three seem to be alive.

Water soldiers (Stratiotes aloides) is a European native but has a limited distribution in the British Isles. It is an important plant in Norfolk where it is essential for the breeding of the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly. It is listed as an invasive plant in Northern Ireland and I do not think it is native to the island of Ireland. My pond is isolated so I do not worry about it escaping to the wild.

It is a very interesting plant. It is a flowering plant and looks like a pineapple top. Most of the year it is submerged and lives deep in the pond. But from June to August it floats to the surface where it blooms. It is a problem for aquatic flowering plants to flower above water so pollinators can get to the blooms – fish are not great pollinators! So it blooms just above the water surface. Plants are male or female and it is thought that all plants in the British Isles are female. They do not set seed. They reproduce by new plants on ‘runners’ like strawberries, but under water, of course.

As a pond plant it is quite fun and it offers lots of hiding places for invertebrates and for fish fry. But in my case, I added them to the pond because their emergent, summer leaves are perfect for dragonflies to settle and lay eggs. In theory it should increase well and if it does it may need thinning. But I am getting ahead of myself since the plans are only just settling in. As with any pond plant excess should not be dumped in wild ponds.

My plants were very stressed when they arrived and when planted (thrown in the pond) they floated on their sides like a holed ship but have now righted themselves and seem to be happy. I will trim off the dead leaves but I think they are OK now and I look forward to their antics, sinking and floating, according to the season.