Tut tut, Titchmarsh

I watched Alan Titchmarsh's "How to be a gardener" on Friday. The show was about creating a pond garden. I'm no expert (which is why I was watching), but his advice seemed generally sound. However, I was dismayed that he advocated the introduction of Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis) as an oxygenating/water-cleaning plant.

Elodea is one of a number of non-native water plants that are proving to be highly invasive and ecologically damaging if they escape into natural watercourses.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/InvasiveSpecies/InvasivenessinScotland

Plantlife are campaigning to have these plants banned from sale.
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-campaigning-change-invasive-plants.html

I think it is irresponsible of Titchmarsh and the BBC to promote their use in any way, especially when there are plenty of native plants that will do the same job and benefit wildlife at the same time.

 

So what are alternatives mate. I use it in my fish tanks so what can I use?

BM

 

I've got it in my pond, and its been there for 18 years, I dont think I've let any of it escape in that time.
I prefer it to blanket weed anyway. :D

 

From the Plantlife website:

"Alternative plants to oxygenate garden ponds

Plantlife recommends the following plants as alternatives to non native pond plants. These must never be collected from wild and should only be bought from reputable garden centres, where their origin as cultivated plants can be assured.

Callitriche stagnalis Starwort
Ceratophyllum demersum Hornwort
Eleocharis acicularis Hair grass
Fontinalis antipyretica Willow Moss
Hippuris vulgaris Marestail
Hottonia palustris Water violet
Myriophyllum spicatum Water milfoil
Myriophyllum verticillatum Whorled milfoil
Potamogeton crispus Curly pondweed
Ranunculus aquatilis Water crowfoot

Floating aquatic plants

Hydrocharis morsus ranae Frogbit
Morsus ranae
Nymphaea alba White water lily
Nuphar lutea Yellow water lily
Stratiotes aloides Water soldier"

 

That may be true Pete, but can you be 100% certain? Elodea and other water plants can regenerate from very small fragments, and these can be transported to other sites on boots, fishnets and other equipment; and on the feet of herons, ducks and other waterbirds. Once they escape from "captivity" they are a real menace - the aquatic equivalent of Japanese Knotweed.

 

I admire your sentiment geometer but none look suitable for my fishtank. As a heads up Myriophyllum spicatum Water milfoil came up as pretty invasive too?

 

Myriophyllum aquaticum can become quite invasive too.

My top pond becomes overrun by one plant, as soon as I pull it out something else takes over.

 

I have a small garden pond, not big enough for ducks etc. I only wish it was, its a very un-natural enviroment, like most back garden ponds, too many fish for the size, a waterfall to add oxygen to help it support the life in it, a bit choked at times with blanket weed.
In the ideal world it shouldn't be allowed, but nothing in my area is natural anymore, and something like me using the wrong kind of weed in my pond is not really a top priority.
I use what works, if I lived in a different place closer to nature then it might make sense, unfortunately few of us are that privileged these days.

 

Fair enough all, I wasn't suggesting anyone scour out their ponds on my say-so, but I do think it irresponsible of the BBC to promote these plants to new gardeners.
Bananaman, I know nothing about keeping fish, so why is Elodea etc. suitable for your purposes and the natives listed aren't?