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1.
A simple bog garden can be created by digging a hole of the desired
dimensions about 30 cm deep.
2.
Lay cheap heavy-duty black plastic over the hole. As the plastic
is to be covered with soil, it is not affected by the sun's ultra-violet
rays and can last for many years, avoiding any need for the more
expensive liners needed for making ponds.
3.
A few holes cut into the plastic will emulate the slow drainage
that would oocur in nature. Fill the hole, bringing the soil level
close to the surrounding ground and covering the plastic, with
a mixture of good topsoil and organic matter including blood and
bone and well-rotted cow manure.
4.
Plant your selection of plants - refer to the list for ideas.
As the moisture needs of most bog plants increases over the warmer
months, some provision must be made to allow regular topping up
in dry times, perhaps as an extension of an existing irrigation
system.
Selected
bog plants
Acorus
calamus, A. calamus 'Variegata',
myrtle or sweet flag. A perennial
to 75 cm, with handsome, erect, sword-like scented mid-green or
variegated foliage.
A.
gramineus 'Variegatus'. A marginal or submerged plant
with narrow, stiff, grass-like foliage to 25 cm, with creamy variegation.
Alisma
plantago, water plantain, is a perennial to 1 m in height,
with bright green, upright, oval leaves held above the water,
and loose, open panicles of small, pink to white flowers in summer.
Bacopa
sp., water hyssop.
B.
caroliniana has lemon-scented foliage and blue flowers.
B.
monnieri, baby's tears is a mat forming succulent which
turns copper-coloured in bright sunlight, and white to pale blue
flowers.
Butomus
umbellatus, flowering rush. A deciduous rush-like perennial
to 1 m, with narrow, twisted, mid-green leaves and pink to rose-red
flowers in summer.
Calla
palustris, bog arum. Deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial
to 25 cm, with heart-shaped leaves, and large white spathes in
spring.
Caltha
palustris, marsh marigold or king cup. A deciduous or
semi-evergreen marginal perennial to 30 cm, with clusters of bright
yellow, cup-shaped flowers in spring.
Canna
glauca varieties.
Colocasia
sp., taro.
Gunnera
magellanica. A spreading and mat-forming miniature relative
of the better-known G. manicata (see text), from southern South
America and the Falkland Islands, that reaches only around 30
mm in height, with flat, rounded leaves 5090 mm across. Although
both species are widely adaptable and can sit permanently in water,
they grow best in full sun in very moist, peaty soil with only
the roots able to grow into the water.
Hosta
spp. There are many choices of this supreme foliage plant,
and they are best seen massed in the moist, shady positions they
enjoy that can otherwise be hard to fill.
Mentha
spp. Not forgetting their invasive nature, many mints, including
pennyroyal, thrive in very damp, preferably shady conditions.
If, they can be managed, offer a herbal bonus and foliage detail.
Pontaderia
cordata, pickerel rush. Perennial to 75 cm, with glossy,
dark green, lance-shaped leaves and dense spikes of blue flowers
in summer.
Saggitaria
saggitifolia, common arrowhead. A deciduous perennial
to 45 cm, with upright, strongly arrow-shaped, mid-green leaves
and three-petalled, purple-centrered white flowers in summer.
Zantedeschia
aethiopica, arum lily. Perennial to 60 cm. Glossy, bright
green heart-shaped leaves and huge white, vase-shaped flowers
in early summer. Grows in sun or full shade in moist soil.
Specialist
waterplant suppliers in Australia
Austral
Watergardens, 1295 Pacific Highway, Cowan, NSW 2081.
Dragonfly
Aquatics, Forrest, Vic. 3236. (03) 5236 6320. A wide range
of aquatic plants available by mail order.
Everglades
Aquarium, Frank Cooper Street, South West Rocks, NSW 2431.
(065) 66 6392.
L.R.
& N.R. Gedye Pty Ltd, 3741 Elizabeth Street, Doncaster
East, Vic. 3109. 1800 036 102. Waterlilies, iris and other waterplants;
pond equipment including punmps, fibreglass cascades and pools.
Ledora
Watergardens, 851 Pacific Highway, Mt Kuring-gai, NSW 2080.
(02) 9456 1163.
Lotus
Watergardens, Gardenworld, 810834 Springvale Road,
Keysborough, Vic. 3173. (03) 9798 4599, (03) 9701 6038.
Red
Hill Iris Farm, 34 Thomas Road, Red Hill South, Vic. 3937.
(03) 5989 2579. Japanese water iris and other types
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