8/25/04
Create
a Private Garden Utilizing Water
By: Donna Couch
Lots
of people come by our shop asking about plants for water gardens.
My husband put in a pond for us last summer, so we’ve been
dabbling a bit in water gardens ourselves. Of course, the main
thing I’ve found out is since ours is under trees, it gets
lots of leaves in it! We actually have raised an area under trees
some trees where we have made a quiet place to relax when we
have an opportunity to get out.
We
built a deck area under some trees and used that as the focal
point to start. We then used soil to build up the area and then
built a small retaining wall out of Palo Pinto sandstone. On
the back edge of the deck we built a trellis wall. We’ve
wired the area for stereo speakers and lights and have a small
fountain in the center of the pond, which is also surrounded
by rock. Our grandson, Cooper thinks it is there for him to go
fishing in, now that he has his own rod and reel. To the side
of the deck, we also built a rock wall surrounding some other
trees and there I have placed a bird bath, a limestone bench
and we even have an old cast iron pot hanging on a tripod. I’ve
planted butterfly bushes, miniature rose bushes, hardy hibiscus
and perennial plumbago around those trees.
I
have planted small needlepoint English ivy around the back side
of the trellis to help provide privacy. In the area right around
the pond, I’ve planted coreopsis and ruella and also yellow
bells. At the entrance to the area, which is mostly shady, I
have caladiums, purple oxalis and chameleon plant. Chameleon
plant is also a good plant for the pond itself. On each side
of the steps, I have dwarf nandenas that are really looking good.
I also have several pots planted with herbs and other blooming
plants that fill the area right at the entrance steps.
But
one thing about planting for ponds is to not plant directly into
the water itself. It is better to put water lilies and other
aquatic plants into individual pots and place them into the pond.
You should mix your soil with three parts of good topsoil, preferably
with some heavy clay base, and one part well-rotted cow manure.
After you have the plants in the soil, cover with about an inch
of clean gravel to help weight down the pot so the water buoyancy
won’t cause the pot to rise.
And
be very careful how many plants you use. A pond can only retain
its healthy state when the correct number of plants invades it.
For instance, a six by six foot pond will only hold 3-4 small
to medium water lilies and perhaps up to two other water-type
plants without creating damage to the water.
Besides
water lilies, there are a few other plants that do well in pond
areas that are found in our area. Rose mallow, of the hardy hibiscus
family, grows smaller blooms on a stem that can reach several
feet in height in the right conditions. They do spread very thickly,
so plan ahead in your planting, especially if planting into the
ground around the pond. Also, several types of iris do well in
marshy, wet areas, as do water cannas, which is a hybrid tropical
variety of the ordinary bedding cannas. They can reach up to
4 feet in height and have either red or yellow blooms with orange
spots. In pots, they can take water up to 6 inches deep.
However,
most of us think of water lilies when we think water plants.
They come in various sizes and bloom colors, and do take a certain
amount of sunlight daily to produce blooms. Just drive by Weatherford
Lake, especially along West Lake approaching Highway 730 and
you can see a gorgeous display of water lilies. Beware with lilies,
they propagate in mass profusion! Your pond can be overgrown
with lilies in a short time if you plant too many.
Away
from the pond, but still in the area, I have also planted hydrangeas
and holly fern. Most of the area of this private garden is shaded
during some points of the day, so I have taken special care to
plant shade plants and sun plants, but making sure that enough
sun does reach those who need it most.
We
enjoy the quiet solitude of this space. I mentioned the steps
earlier-the most important one is engraved with “Donna’s
Special Place”, and it certainly has become that. We’ve
developed an area utilizing plants, garden furniture, soft music
and the soothing sounds of water to create a place of solitude
where we can visit with friends, eat a quiet meal, read a book
or take a nap. Everyone needs A Special Place---I’m just
lucky enough to have two of them!
