Dip your toes into water gardening

photo courtesy of The Pond Store

Angie’s List Magazine
Out in the Yard, NW Edition, July 2010
By Lorene Edwards Forkner

read the entire article (off site link)

Here in the Pacific Northwest we are surrounded by water.  Rivers bustling with cargo ships and recreational vessels thread Portland, while Puget Sound’s working waterfront gives way to our own inland ocean chock full of saltwater fish, shore birds and the occasional whale sighting.  And then there’s the water that falls from our skies…except when it doesn’t.

July, August and September are notoriously hot and dry in our corner of the county — just when our gardens need quenching the most.   Tired of spending summer at the end of a hose tending to thirsty plants? Consider a cooling, sparkling water garden instead.

The sight and sound of water lends appeal to any garden.  A water garden is a pool that is home to plants and possibly fish or other water creatures.  It may be a grand and formal design accented with a sedately burbling fountain or pleasingly free form, complete with a naturalistic waterfall and dramatic rockwork.  Even a small backyard can accommodate a little pool and container water gardens lure birds and butterflies to patio and rooftop gardens.

Building a backyard pond is more involved than simply digging a hole and filling it with water.  Before you take the plunge consider the following:

  • Leave the heavy lifting (and excavation) to the professionals.  Check Angie’s list for A-rated garden designers, landscape architects and pond specialists to be sure you’re hiring qualified, and skilled experts.  These folks will also be able to advise you on local building codes and any permits which may be necessary.
  • Keep the size of your water feature in scale with your landscape.  Not only will a little pond get lost in an expanse of lawn but it will look as silly as a tiny hat on a big guy.  Likewise, a huge waterfall will overwhelm a small space and leave you feeling like you’re about to be swept away.
  • Early in the design process decide what types of water plants you want to accommodate.  Free-floating plants form clusters of foliage and flowers or a spreading, moss-like carpet and drift along on the water’s surface.  Plants that like wet roots but require their crowns be above or in shallow water are referred to as marginals.  Other aquatics are planted in containers that are fully submerged in deeper water.
  • Most aquatic plants and fish require at least 6-8 hours of sun a day.  Locate your water feature away from tall shrubs and trees for the best light and to prevent the accumulation of leaf litter and debris which will quickly muck up a pond creating unhealthy conditions.
  • All water gardens, regardless of size require maintenance and upkeep.  Fish contribute flashing color and they feed on mosquito larva and other pesky insects.  Oxygenating plants help create a healthy environment.

Ultimately, a successful water garden starts with good planning. Before you dive in, do your homework, hire an expert, and design a balanced system of light, water and plants.   Then sit back, relax and enjoy the lively, sparkling, cooling charm of water in the garden.

A-listed water gardening experts:

The Pond Store
Sumner, WA 98390
(253)863-3499

Living Waters Garden Market
Edgewood, WA 98371
(253)770-7663

Hughes Water Gardens
Tualatin, OR 97062
(503)638-1709

Sakoda Land & Waterscapes LLC
Portland, OR 97215
(503)662-2056

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