I just put in a new 1000 gallon pond,it's about 8'x8'. Which types and how many pond plants do you recommend? There is so many to pick from. Which ones do you think look the nicest? Thanks

Hi...What zone are you in? and do you want to move plants inside for the winter if your in a colder zone? I do know way more about plants than fish so maybe I can be of some help..lol..I'm new to this site also...welcome

I'm in Zone 7. No I don't want to bring them in for the winter.

How much sun/shade in hours does your pond receive a day?

Sun all day

For sure you need coverage/floaters; i.e. Water lettuce or Hiacynth. They may not make it through winter (not familiar with zone 7), but they're needed; helps control algae growth, shade/protect the fish, cooler water.

I purchase a few of each species early as possible in Spring each year. They reproduce rapidly, by the height of summer I'm tossing them out almost daily. I buy both types; seems the years when the Hiacynth do well the lettuce doesn't; and when the lettuce does well the hiacynth doesn't. They never seem to both do well at the same time.

For sure get some Lillie's!

Also, oxygneators are a must too!!! Lots of them!

This is too large a topic for me to answer quickly so check out my pond plant pages at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/plant.htm
I have lists of plants that are just a few that you can find for sale. There are tons of aquatic plants!

Basically, you'll want a few waterlilies, a lotus, a few iris, some hardy marginals, some floating plants, and some submerged plants.

I've visited your web page.Awesome!. Is there a couple of particular plants you like,besides water lettuce,also what is a good plant to border the pond that can creep through rocks into the pond?

I like lots of pond plants. I think waterlilies and water iris are my favorite. The iris in my pond have a lower mortality than other marginals and always put out nice flowers. I love lotus but can't keep them alive. The ones that the deer can reach, they eat. The one in the middle in the pond barely stays alive for some reason. I tend to like the pond plants that grow well (sometimes too well). For me, that's sweetflag, water iris, water forget-me-not, and water celery mostly. They make up the bulk of the plants in my pond. The last two are running wild (not potted) in shallow areas and help filter my pond.