This year’s Memorial Build featured an upper bog filter as part of the training. Bog-filter construction has different processes, depending on which company or contractor builds it. Larry Carnes gladly included lotus in the design. This underutilized plant is planted worldwide to reduce nutrients and purify water from various contaminants. Headwaters of a stream are the perfect place to start for keeping pond water clear and healthy.
The key to keeping lotus in any situation is to provide an area with boundaries. Construction of planting area within the upflow bog filter was done by creating a particularly large planting pocket filled with soil to give the lotus a substantial place to grow and flourish.
Additional plants, including Nymphaea (waterlilies), Orontium (golden club), Hibiscus coccineus, Myosotis (forget-me-not), Sagittaria (arrowhead), and Zephyranthes (rain lily) were also included as part of the bog planting. There was a tremendous amount of interest in learning about how to use plants to specifically enhance nutrient uptake by placement, substrate selection and depths.
Read more about the build here.
About the Author
Kelly Billing owns Water Becomes a Garden. She is a grower and consultant with a focus on creative, site appropriate use of aquatic plants for effective display. Attention is given to seasonal interest, nutrient uptake and ecological balance to meet project goals. Steeped in water quality research, she promotes the use of natural processes. Her clients across the country allow her to make a difference on projects through proper planning and planting.
