Frequently Asked Questions

Start by thinking in terms of balance. A healthy pond usually combines marginal, deep-water and oxygenating plants to regulate light, absorb excess nutrients and support wildlife.

Choosing plants by category rather than appearance alone helps prevent algae problems and supports long-term clarity.

For structured guidance, see:

• Balanced Pond Planting Guide
• How Many Pond Plants Do I Need?
  

For long-term water clarity, aim for plant growth to cover approximately 50–70% of the pond surface over time. This level of coverage helps reduce algae by limiting light penetration and absorbing excess nutrients.

The exact number depends on pond size, depth and plant type. Under-planting is one of the most common causes of green water in new ponds.

For detailed guidance, see:

• How Many Pond Plants Do I Need?
• Balanced Pond Planting Guide

A well-planned planting scheme is the foundation of a stable pond system.

Yes. Many marginal, floating and oxygenating plants thrive in container ponds.

Even small ponds benefit from a balanced combination of plant types to maintain water clarity and ecological stability. Choose plants suited to the available depth and avoid overcrowding.

For depth planning and planting zones, see:

• Pond Planting Zones Guide

Container ponds can be simple to manage when planted thoughtfully from the outset.

Planting depth is measured from the top of the pot to the water surface.

Each product page and plant label provides a recommended depth range. Some species establish best when started slightly shallower and gradually lowered as they mature.

For detailed guidance on depths and zones, see:

• Pond Planting Zones Guide
• Deep Water Planting Guide

Correct planting depth is essential for healthy growth and flowering.

Yes. Oxygenating plants absorb dissolved nutrients, support beneficial bacteria and contribute to overall pond stability.

They are particularly important in wildlife ponds and fish ponds where nutrient levels are higher. Without oxygenators, excess nutrients remain available for algae growth.

To understand how many oxygenators are appropriate for your pond size, see:

• Balanced Pond Planting Guide
• Oxygenating Plants Collection

A balanced pond system normally includes oxygenating plants.

Most pond plants should normally remain in their pot or basket when placed in the pond, unless you are repotting them into a more suitable aquatic basket or container.

The pot helps support correct planting depth and stable establishment. If repotting, use aquatic compost and follow the recommended planting depth for that species.

Plants delivered in small nursery pots may often benefit from being repotted into a suitable aquatic basket or planted in aquatic soil as appropriate.

For detailed guidance on depths and zones, see:

• Pond Planting Zones Guide
• Deep Water Planting Guide
  
  

Yes, if you are repotting or are building a soil base in your pond.

Aquatic compost is designed to be low in nutrients and stable underwater. Standard garden compost or soil can cloud water and encourage algae growth.

Most pond plants can be planted from spring through autumn, with strongest growth typically between April and September.

We update our website regularly with plant availability and only want to sell plants at a suitable time for planting. If a plant is shown as available now, it can be planted now. Where a plant is not yet ready for immediate dispatch, the product page will show the expected delivery period, such as delivery by the end of a stated month.

Most hardy pond plants tolerate UK winter conditions. In very shallow water, or if you live in a particularly exposed area, protect sensitive plants from prolonged freezing.

Many hardy aquatic plants naturally die back in autumn and winter as part of their seasonal cycle.

New growth appears in spring as temperatures rise. This process is normal and indicates healthy seasonal rhythm.

Yellowing leaves are usually caused by natural ageing, planting depth issues or nutrient depletion within the compost.

Check that the plant is within its recommended depth range and receiving adequate sunlight. Older leaves can be trimmed to encourage fresh growth.

Some plants flower in their first season, while others focus on root establishment first.

Flowering performance depends on sunlight, planting depth and overall water balance. Once established in suitable conditions, most hardy species flower reliably each year.

Some plants flower in their first season, while others focus on root establishment first.

Flowering performance depends on sunlight, planting depth and overall water balance. Once established in suitable conditions, most hardy species flower reliably each year.

Some species spread gradually through roots or runners. Check plant descriptions for growth habit before planting.

Green water is caused by microscopic algae feeding on excess nutrients and light.

Long-term clarity is restored by increasing plant coverage, strengthening oxygenation and reducing nutrient accumulation. Shade and barley straw can also help, although improvements develop gradually.

For planting structure guidance, see:

• Balanced Pond Planting Guide

Clear water is maintained through planting balance rather than chemical correction.

Yes. Healthy plant growth competes with algae for nutrients and provides shade across the water surface.

Persistent algae usually indicates insufficient plant coverage or excess nutrients. Increasing planting density is often the most effective long-term solution.

Most new ponds take several weeks to stabilise.

During this period, water may appear cloudy or green while plants establish and beneficial bacteria develop. As the pond reaches ecological balance, clarity improves naturally.

Patience during the first few weeks is important. Avoid overcorrecting with chemicals, as this can delay natural stabilisation.

Yes. Tap water is suitable for most garden ponds; allowing it to stand for 24-48 hours, if practical, is better for the plants.

In wildlife ponds, avoid chemical treatments and allow the ecosystem to develop gradually through planting.

If adding fish, allow the water to stand for 24–48 hours before introducing them.

Most UK hardy aquatic plants are safe for fish and help maintain water quality by absorbing nutrients.

In heavily stocked ponds, ensure adequate oxygenation and avoid overcrowding.

Yes. Our plants are selected to support pollinators, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.

Avoid fertilisers and chemical treatments in wildlife ponds to preserve ecological balance.

Yes. Koi commonly graze on aquatic plants.

If you keep koi, protect plants using raised shelves or enclosed planting areas. Goldfish are usually much gentler on plants, although occasional nibbling can still happen.

Molluscs such as pond snails can support ecosystem balance by feeding on algae and organic matter.

Only introduce species suitable for closed garden ponds.

If all the plants or products in your order are ready for immediate dispatch, standard parcel orders are usually delivered within 2–5 working days and pallet orders are usually delivered within 4–15 working days. These timings include both handling and transit time.

Some plants are sold for a later delivery period. Where that applies, the expected delivery period will be shown on the product page. We only dispatch plants when they are in a suitable condition to travel well.

For more detail, please see our Shipping Policy and Track My Order page.

We cannot guarantee specific delivery dates.

This is because plant readiness depends on growing conditions, stock readiness, weather conditions and courier schedules.

If you need delivery around a particular time, please contact us before ordering using the form on our Contact page and we will do our best to help.

For pallet deliveries, the carrier may contact you directly to arrange a suitable delivery date where needed.

We currently deliver to England, Wales and Scotland.

We also offer delivery to some Highlands & Islands postcodes, with any additional delivery charges shown at checkout.

Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

For further guidance, please see our Shipping Policy.

Add your delivery address and postcode during checkout to see the delivery options available for your order.

Current standard charges include:

• £5.95 Standard Delivery
• £49.95 Specialist Pallet Delivery for 30 litre plants

Highlands & Islands delivery options are shown at checkout. Current charges are:

• Royal Mail from £5.95
• Parcel Force from £24.95
• Specialist Pallet Delivery from £99.95 to £174.95

The correct delivery charge for your order and postcode will always be shown before you place your order.

For full details, please see our Shipping Policy.

If your order includes items with different delivery periods, it may be split into separate deliveries.

Plants or products that are ready for immediate dispatch will normally be sent first, while later-season plants will be sent when they are ready.

Details of split deliveries and delivery charges are shown in the basket, at checkout, and in your order confirmation email.

We may send later-season plants separately so that they leave the nursery at the appropriate point in the season and in suitable condition to travel.

Where tracking is available, we will provide the courier details and tracking information.

We will email you when you place your order and again when each shipment is dispatched.

If you create an account with us, you will also be able to see the latest status of each order there.

For further guidance on tracking and pallet arrangements, please see our Track My Order page.

Please first:

• check any safe place you nominated
• check with neighbours or anyone at the delivery address
• check the courier message or tracking notes carefully

If you still cannot locate the parcel, please use the form on our Contact page and include your order number.

If the matter is urgent, you may also call us on 01865 537277.

Not always.

Please make sure your delivery address is correct and that you provide a working email address and mobile number in case we or the courier need to contact you.

If you are not going to be in, we recommend leaving clear safe-place instructions so that plants can be left somewhere shaded and protected. There is a special instructions box on the basket page for you to say where to leave the plants. Please do not use this box to request a particular delivery time.

Please unpack plants as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.

Plants are packed carefully by experienced nursery staff using methods designed to help them travel safely.

Parcel orders are usually sent in cardboard boxes with protective packaging. Larger orders, including some 30 litre plants, may be sent on a pallet.

All plants are checked before they leave the nursery.

For more detail on pallet deliveries, tracking and what to expect after dispatch, please see our Track My Order page.

Pond plants are resilient and will normally remain in good condition in their packaging for a short period after delivery.

However, we recommend unpacking and placing them in the pond as soon as reasonably possible.

For further guidance, please see our Receiving and Caring for Your Pond Plants Guide.

If you have any questions about delivery, dispatch timing or tracking, please use the form on our Contact page and include your order number.

If the matter is urgent, you may also call us on 01865 537277.

Our Customer Services opening hours are Monday to Friday 09.00–17.00.

We aim to respond to delivery enquiries as quickly as possible, usually within 1 working day.

Not necessarily.

Aquatic plants often appear soft or a little flattened after transit. In many cases, they recover fully once placed at the correct depth in water.

Minor soil movement, temporary flattening in transit, slight leaf damage, and normal seasonal variation in appearance do not in themselves mean that the plant is faulty.

If you remain concerned, please contact us within 24 hours of delivery using the form on our Contact page, with your order number, photographs, and a short explanation.

If you believe your plants have arrived in poor condition, are incorrect, or there is another genuine issue, please contact us within 24 hours of delivery.

Please use the form on our Contact page and include your order number, clear photographs of the plants or products and the packaging, and a short description of the issue.

If the matter is urgent, you may also call us on 01865 537277.

If there is a genuine issue, we will review it carefully and provide an appropriate remedy, which may include a replacement, refund, or partial refund where appropriate.

For full details, please see our Returns & Refunds Policy.

If your order has not yet been prepared or called off from the nursery, we will cancel it and refund it in full.

Once live plants or molluscs have been prepared for dispatch, we are usually unable to cancel the order because they are perishable and may already be in the packing and dispatch process. The preparation process can start very quickly after we receive your order, so please do contact us as quickly as possible.

If you need to cancel an order, please use the form on our Contact page and include your order number.

If the matter is urgent, you may also call us on 01865 537277.

For full details, please see our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Once live plants or molluscs have been prepared for dispatch, they are perishable and we are normally unable to accept change-of-mind cancellations or routine returns.

For full details, please see our Returns & Refunds Policy.

If you think you have ordered the wrong item, please contact us as soon as possible using the form on our Contact page and include your order number.

For live plants and molluscs, there is only a short window in which we may be able to help. If your order has not yet been prepared for dispatch or called off from the nursery, we can usually cancel it and refund it in full. Once live plants or molluscs have entered the nursery preparation and dispatch process, we are usually unable to cancel or change the order, because they are perishable goods.

For accessories and other non-plant items, such as baskets, tools, liners or other hard goods, please still contact us as soon as possible. If the order has not yet been dispatched, we will do our best to help. If you have already received the item, you may usually return it within 14 days of delivery, provided it is unused and in its original condition. Please contact us first before returning any item. Unless the item is faulty or incorrect, return postage costs are the customer’s responsibility.

Please do not send anything back unless we have confirmed the return instructions with you in writing.

For further information please refer to our Refunds and Returns policies and our Terms of Service.

We will assess each issue from photographs and order details and deal with it from there, advising you in the process whether the plants need to be returned.

For nursery health, animal welfare and environmental biosecurity reasons, live plants must not be returned unless we have agreed this with you in writing first.

Yes. Non-plant items such as baskets, tools, liners and other accessories may be returned within 14 days of delivery, provided they are unused and in their original condition.

Please contact us first using the form on our Contact page before returning any item.

Unless the item is faulty or incorrect, return postage costs are the customer’s responsibility.

For full details, please see our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Please contact us promptly using the form on our Contact page, with your order number, photographs, and a short description of the issue.

If we agree that the item is incorrect, faulty, or there is another genuine issue, we will provide an appropriate remedy. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a replacement, refund, or partial refund where appropriate.

We aim to respond as quickly as possible, usually within 1 working day.

No.

Please contact us first before returning any goods. If we agree that a return is needed, we will send you instructions in writing, including the return address to use.

Please do not send any goods to our registered office.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method.

Once processed, please allow 14 working days for cleared funds to appear in your account, depending on your bank or payment provider.

For further information, see our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Voucher codes can be entered in the box on the right hand side of the Checkout screen.

Current Promotions:
We are currently offering free standard delivery on eligible orders with a product value of £60 or more.

Use the voucher code EDENFREE60 at Checkout
This promotion applies to standard Royal Mail and courier delivery, normally charged at £5.95. The £60 threshold is calculated after any discounts or promotional codes have been applied and excludes delivery charges.

This offer does not apply to orders containing 30 Litre water lilies or other large products that require pallet delivery. Where pallet delivery is required, the relevant pallet delivery charge will apply.

This offer does not apply to deliveries to the Highlands and Islands, or to other remote-area postcodes where additional delivery charges apply. Normal delivery charges will continue to apply to these addresses.

Delivery charges are calculated at checkout based on the delivery address and the products in the order.

This is a limited-time Spring Promotion and may be amended or withdrawn at any time

*Free delivery applies to eligible UK mainland standard-delivery orders only. Excludes pallet-delivered products, 30 Litre lilies, Highlands and Islands, and remote-area postcodes.