Good wildlife ponds often have a wide range of different plants, including some submerged plants. There is no ecological reason ever to put plants in natural ponds - they will get there naturally over time.
Also, you don't have to buy plants to put in your garden pond, as this will also naturally become colonised with aquatic plants over time. But if you do want to buy plants, garden centres and aquatic suppliers will be able to supply you.
If you do want to plant up your pond, chose a range of native plants such as starworts (Callitriche species), Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), Curled Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Water Crowfoots (Ranunculus species) and Spiked Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).
Garden centres and aquatic suppliers often sell a range of plants for ponds, but beware: many of these plants are invasive non-native species and will probably cause problems in your pond and harm other wildlife. If you are buying plants from a garden centre, then check with the staff that the plants you want are all native species.
