Feature Focus
The soothing sounds and interesting, characteristic plants of a water garden can add value to your landscape. With options like ponds, pools and waterfalls, a water feature can be customized to your property and tastes. Before you negate the possibility due to scale or cost, consider a deck top pond or bucket garden, something small to bring additional interest to a conversation pit or patio. Water gardens or features can be easily maintained if installed properly and regularly monitored. Collaborate with a landscape architect or company that specializes in these designs and your arborist to choose the perfect location, appropriate size and best plants and your water garden will provide you with endless aesthetic pleasure.
Perfect Plants
Choose native plants with the correct shade tolerance for your site, and are adapted to the hydrologic regime you have designed into your water feature. Remember the water will need to be consistently circulated so as to never become stagnant mosquito larvae habitat, most aquatic plants are adapted to periods of inundation and lower water levels or even drought. Aquatic habitats can be prime invasive species habitat, making regular maintenance and monitoring a necessity. Below are some examples of common home pond plants which are both beautiful and easily maintained, this is not an all-inclusive discussion, make sure to discuss your plans, ideas and desires with your arborist.
The American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, produces large, beautiful blooms in a variety of colors. The plants are hardy in zones 4 through 9, require full sun and submersion.
Iris fulva, copper iris is native to the lower 48 states, there are many hybrids and cultivars which may be available in your region in various colors. They are hardy in zones 5 through 9 and will grow to 3 feet tall at the edges of your pond.
Sarracenia spp, pitcher plants are carnivorous aquatic plants native to the contiguous US, available in many varieties. Depending on the variety it is hardy in zones 2 through 11 and will thrive in full sun, pond or poolside.
Acorus calamus ‘variegatus’, variegated sweetflag can be a stunning addition in the shallow area of your pond or along the edge. It is hardy in zones 4 through 11 and will do well in full sun or shaded for a portion of the day.
Lobelia cardinalis, cardinal flower will add late summer interest to your water garden with the added benefit of attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. It will thrive in part to full sun, pondside in zones 3 through 9.
Nymphaea lutea, yellow pond-lily is a welcome addition to any pond. There are varieties that bloom day and night, and required submersion. Pond lilies are hardy in zones 4 through 9 and need full sunlight.
