Features of Water Gardens

By Ann King

You've planned and designed your landscape but feel there is something missing. You want to add a special touch, something that will give your garden depth, dimension and a strong focal point, but you also want to create a relaxing atmosphere. A water garden may be just the thing for you.

Water gardens provide color, sound, movement and can create a natural effect in your yard.

Careful planning should be utilized when deciding where your water garden will be. You don't want it under a lot of overhanging trees because it could get full of leaves. You also don't want it in direct sunlight for extended periods in case you decide to add fish, nor do you want it to be in an area that's too shady.

You will also need to decide how large your pond will be, its shape and style before planning for the construction. Small water gardens and ponds can be finished in one or two days, but larger ponds will require more time and planning.

Larger ponds and water gardens can be more self sustaining and require less maintenance than small container type gardens. This should also be taken into consideration if your space allows for a larger pond.

The type of water garden you decide on will be another consideration when planning. Bog gardens will look much nicer in a shady area. A small stream type water garden will take more space than a pool type water garden but will allow a flowing area of water. A spout or fountain type water garden will require less space than a stream or pool type and is a good choice if space is limited.

Whichever type of water garden you choose, you will need some basic equipment. A submersible pump is a must, and the main component of any water garden that you want movement in. You also need a reservoir to hold the water. The reservoir is generally the pond itself and can be constructed out of many materials; large round containers or buckets, pond liners, an old bathtub, and numerous other items.

Decide which size pump you need depending on the size of your water garden. A large garden will require a bigger pump to move the water more easily, whereas a smaller water garden only needs a small pump.

The next thing you want to do is decide the layout of your water garden. If you are using a pond liner, you have endless possibilities as these are suitable for most shapes and sizes. You can also purchase prefabricated molded ponds. Careful planning and preparation are needed for the pre-molded type. Things need to be precise to accommodate the shape and size of the molding.

Other items you will need to compliment your water garden are stones and rocks ranging in shapes and sizes. Large rocks will secure your liner or molding and hide most of the bulk of the reservoir. Medium and small stones will be used to fill in the bare spots.

Steel mesh is used to cover your submersible pump to protect it from objects clogging it up. Two sizes of steel mesh are recommended: a large mesh to cover the pump and hold the weight of the stones and a smaller mesh to prevent your smaller stones from entering the pump.

You will also want to purchase plants specific to water gardens in different shapes, sizes and colors. Tall plants work well as a backdrop and shorter plants work well in front and around the edges.

You should also decide if you'd like a walkway or path around your water garden. and purchase or gather large flat stones for that purpose or pour a cement walkway. Again, the possibilities are endless.

While it may not be possible to decide on every single item you want to incorporate into your water garden, you should have the basic materials on hand before you begin to dig your water garden. Creating a water garden can be a fun and exciting project that will bring you joy and peace for many years.

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