Water gardens are a beautiful, low-maintenance alternative to conventional landscaping. The technique involves using containers to keep plants suspended in water. You can even add fish or features such as waterfalls for added elegance and vivacity. Water gardens can be incorporated into a pond or a standalone feature on a patio or yard. Here’s what you should know about these unique aquatic fixtures.

An Introduction to Water Gardens

What container should be used?

For a patio or pond garden, consider using a barrel or trough lined with plastic. You can also use a clay container and apply a sealer to prevent water from seeping through the ceramic.

There are also tubs specifically designed for water gardens. Generally, a container 16 to 19 inches wide and 24 inches deep that can hold 20 to 30 gallons of water is ideal. 

What plants will thrive?

Choose three to five plant varieties, including floating, submerged, and edge plants. Be sure to check the characteristics of the breeds you choose.

Some invasive varieties should be planted in individual containers to prevent them from choking out their neighbors, and others require more depth for their roots or width for their foliage. Some popular water garden plants include yellow flag irises, duckweeds, water lettuce, cattails, water hyacinths, and calla lilies. 

What maintenance is required?

Once plants have shown signs of new growth, use fertilizing tablets to provide essential nutrients. If they start to overgrow the container, divide them and repot in heavy clay soil. Trim old leaves to promote new growth.

Restore the water every couple of days and drain it periodically to prevent algae growth. If you have fish in your pond garden, clean the containers regularly to avoid waste buildup. 

 

If you’re interested in building a water garden or other landscaping feature, turn to Clearly Aquatics in Bloomfield, NY. For more than 15 years, this pond installation and maintenance company has beautified area landscapes with waterfalls, water gardens, and more. Call (585) 657-7679 to speak with a helpful staff member to learn how they can help you create the aquatic landscape of your dreams. Visit the website to see examples of their past work.