Small, shallow ponds in partial shade

Hello,

I’m wondering what you think about plants for this area, ideally ones that aren’t too hard to obtain. It’s a sloped area north of the house which I’m in the process of shaping into wetland “paddies”, and I’ve already planted calamus, and this winter, watercress. There is a leaky artesian well which used to drain through a straight ditch, but since then I’ve made some frog ponds in the past, and a roughly “心”shaped one for watercress this winter. They haven’t gotten growing yet, but I’m excited for them to start. Already, I’ve been harvesting and replanting poplar suckers in areas that could use some trees, but there are some bigger ones in there and not sure whether I’m going to leave them or not.

One thought is that it could be a very good place for mushroom logs: moist and just somewhat sunny, water right there for soaking. Another is that if I find wild Javan water celery, I might observe their ecology and determine whether I want them (they’re sometimes considered invasive). I also planted a currant cutting in a grassy berm a while ago and it rooted right into the moist soil, but ended up being killed in an accident. This year I have more rooted currant cuttings that I would be able to plant out. Horseradish? It’s not that sunny, but maybe they would do tolerably well.

What think ye? Any other plants or ideas? Could celery like it? Maybe that’s a silly question. But anyway.

I hope by bumping your topic you will get so good suggestions.

I like your idea for mushroom logs.

Have you thought about planting Duckweed and water hyacinth?

Hello Maishe,
    Being a wet draw, I think the place would take to low growing turf grass.  It would help retain pond banks from erosion, be more inviting to humans and critters and make it easier to see and plant more dramatic foliage like ornamental grasses or things like elephant ear which likes a wet environment. What a fun thing to be doing this spring. Also, creating nooks with plants and interesting found objects for things to hide in. Before you know it, that little nondescript drainage will transform into a focal point aesthetically and harbor of life. I just love doing that sort of thing. Good luck and enjoy.

Thank you for the suggestions. There are actually low-growing grasses already established in the area—they grow very short and flower in spring. And as for elephant’s ear, I assume you are referring to Bergenia, which apparently is a tea substitute, rather than the tropical monocots—maybe I can keep an eye out for those. It also reminds me of the edible swamp saxifrage in the same family, which could also like it there. I have seen them more at higher elevations but they were growing in water, which is the condition of the area.