Will plants designed for manmade ponds work in my cove?

I live on a cove, on a river in Maine. It is shallow (4 ft at its center) and about as big as a hockey rink. lilly pads bloom all summer in it, i'm wondering if i can intrduce storebought flowering water plants to it. it is well circulated with lots of wildlife in it. Any suggestions?

Will plants designed for manmade ponds work in my cove?
Of course you can. I would stick with natives and realize that the plants will grow at the edges of your cove and most likely will not venture past about the first foot of water. Since I am in a subtropical climate, I don't know what is hardy up there, but any native that likes wet feet will grow for you. I know that cattails will, for one. Check with a local aquatic nursery or online for hardy plants.
Reply:You are sooo lucky! I don't have a lot of money to spend on plants so I like to bring home anything I see growing in ditches on the side of the road or from my area parks that looks pretty. This way you are also more likely to get natives, too. I would also set up a gazebo or at least a bench in a vantage point with a path to the house so you can sit out and enjoy the cove.
Reply:Check with someone - probably your extension office or local county agent about introducing non-native species to public waterways. If you get crosswise with that you may be in some touble. Just check.
Reply:Definitely go with your area's native vegetation, and you might think about some irises and ornamental grasses. It sounds really beautiful. Please post photographs if you are able so we can see :) Good Luck!!!

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