Hi and Welcome
I think that grasses always look good set among pebbles and rocks, also could try some ground cover type herbs if the soil won't get too wet - I am sure that you will soon have plenty of suggestions from the others.

Take care
Sandy

Hi, I have a pebble beach on top of some low grade soil. The nice bit about it is the number of bugs and similar that lurk around, and the more unusual birds that come onto the beach (like grey wagtails). The downside is that it does collect debris and those lovely pebbles with all the colours do get a bit grotty after awhile. Still, it gives an excuse to poke around to get rid of the leaves and see what's there.

I am too nervous to put any holes in the liner, but I have found things colonise in the soil. Water starwort is quite pretty and spreads gradually. I have read newts particularly like to lay their eggs in it. Also frogbit is rather nice and comes back every spring in ever multiplying numbers. Like tiny lilypads, but I have to admit, I really like the name!

Best wishes with the pond, and hope you enjoy it.

Is this a bog with some open water or a pond with a boggy area attached? If a bog with some open water what sort of bog, soil or peat based?
I had a reply typed based on "a pond with a boggy area attached" but have had 2nd thoughts as to what you have, hence this brief one.

Hi Thanks for the suggestions I'll look into them a bit more - any grasses you can recommend avoiding Sandy, it's not that big a beach?
Sean - I hope a bit more detail helps with your post - it's a pond about 10x5 feet with a small bog garden on the right hand side (new this year also)about 3x4 feet and some Yorkstone paving on the left hand side (matches existing path and patio stone) where you can sit. The beach is on the far side where it slopes out of the water, the near side is alongside the path where there are some childproof railings as there's a bit of a drop into the pond area. It's only about 1-2 feet deep and the contents are fairly basic - I was so overrun with yellow flag last year I didn't dare add anyhting else!

Avoid any of the bulrush type grasses and the large Miscanthus type - could try carex buchanii(red, delicate fronds)- i have this in my gravel surrounding my pond and it keeps its shape and colour all year round - plus some birds use it for nesting material LOL> Can try small bamboos but remember to bury it in its pot so it does not spread everywhere. Also could try hostas especially the type with large green/blue leaves and could try primulas and what about that small black grass? So long as the soil is not completely waterlogged but is moist all the above should do well. Iris (minitures) should also do well - any more suggestions Sean?
SandyX

Hi Sandy - thanks for this, I'll keep a close eye out for some of these - much appreciated!

Strange, all the ideas I had have disappeared, my soil based in-the-wildlife-pond-bog (soaking wet soil) is home primarily common rush, yellow flag, ragged robin and some mints.
The soil-tops-out-slightly-above-pond-level-bogs/plant bays around the fish pond are home to common and curly rush, marsh marigold, lobellia cardinalis, skunk cabbage, brooklime, ragged robin, carex japonica?, a primula or two, kaffir lily, something califorinicum like a mini iris, cotton grass and some others that I forget at the moment. These bays were only planted last autumn so I am not sure what will have survived the winter and what wont. Oddly the marigold is quite advanced compared to those that are in the water and the lobellia hasnt died as I expected it to.
With a bog that size all I can really say is think carefully about the heights of the plants that you choose so that they dont block the view and any clump formers like common rush and carex that may block animal access. Any plants with invasive root systems, eg rushes, reeds and yellow flag, should be placed in SOLID not perforated pots to contain their root systems.
Ivy leafed crowfoot did well last spring along the shoreline of the wildlife pond bog and is a nice plant with a nice white flower, I am not sure if it survived the rest of the year. I also have a pink and green something 'parsley' that is doing rather too well on the shore of the wildlife pond bog.

I have a rush just planted in the pebbles - no problem with it geting established. main pproblem is containing the spread. However it looks very good and very natural as it speads across the area.
Annieo

Thanks for all the suggestions - I can see my shopping list getting bigger by the minute!

Try Acorus Gramineus Variegatus. Don't get the small version they sell in aquatic centres because they're not a patch on the ones from ordinary garden centres where they're usually sold with the grasses. They state on the label 'Actually an aquatic plant.' These grow much bigger and the leaves are up to 13 inches long and have a tendency to lean over in one direction. They can grow in or out of water and they're evergreen here in West London. They look particularly nice if planted next to water where the reflection on the water surface looks nice.

Forgot to mention that they're planted as marginals if using them in the water.

Hi Big Kid, thanks for your comments, it's good to know they are so verstaile - i'll make the continuity around the pond better if I can use the same plant for differen aspects!

Also forgot to mention that these plants grow really well in the garden and in pots as well. I got mine from a DIY shop that has a 25% discount on all outside plants at present. Shouldn't advertise, so think bumble and a row of people at a bus-stop!