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Water Gardening - Don't be afraid of starting small
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Jewell2009
Showing Great Promise
 Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Location: Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US) (Map)
Posts: 647
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:59 am Post subject: Water Gardening - Don't be afraid of starting small |
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I have several "watering holes" scattered around my yard. Pictured here are two of the three that are too small for gold fish, but are still lovely to have. The sunken plastic planter in the front yard houses some sedges and a miniature cattail. It doesn't provide enough room to support goldfish. At first I had to use dunks, a bacteria that keeps mosquito larvae from developing, but dragon fly larvae have found a home here and they now keep it mosquito free. I often see birds and squirrels drinking from the pot that is sunk so that the lip is at surface level. I have a family of squirrels that visit daily. Water is often hard to find for wildlife during the drier parts of the year so any water feature is welcome.
South Side of the Moss Garden (Front Yard) ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )
My favorite little pond is in a small area between the house and the garage. With the sidewalk it is less than seven feet across from wall to wall. It is shaded most of the day, with pretty intense sun bouncing off the garage and house during the summer. This pond houses my hardy pink water lilies that are not hassled by the raccoons. (But yes that is wire to keep raccoons from bathing) Water lilies that I give to friends and replace plants destroyed in other ponds come from this pond. Dragon fly larvae keep the mosquitos in check. Since the dragon fly babies have moved in no goldfish has been able to survive.
This last winter the baby's tears were really frozen, but is quickly making a come back. I have had to pull a sword fern, and five-finger ferns from this area as they have gotten too large. I am now trying a few painted ferns. It has been trial and error to find what works long term for this mini-garden area.
This small area still has a number of plants with a purple cyclamen, primroses, a miniature rose, Pieris japonica, sword fern-hidden behind the Pieris, lamb's ears, ajuga, baby's tears, and Chinese ground orchids.
Small Pond Between house and garage ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )
Small Pond Between house and garage from opposite point of view ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )
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egoreise
On The Way Up
Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Location: Billings, Montana
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:24 am Post subject: |
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These are gorgeous! I want a water feature in my backyard, but I don't have any idea where to start...
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
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Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Location: Western Norway (Map)
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: |
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Lovely water holes.  Good luck with finding ferns for your space. I've got a couple of miniature ferns outside. Maybe you could look for some over there?
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 14179
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:28 am Post subject: |
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I don't think any garden is complete without at least one water feature. Yours are obviously ideal for wildlife as well as for giving you pleasure whilst out in th4e garden. I think my favourite is the one between the house and garage too.
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daisybeans
Highly Skillful
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Location: annapolis md
Posts: 1725
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:52 am Post subject: |
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They are nice little surprises in the garden. Your moss garden sure is pretty... and the baby tears on the lilly watering hole are sweet too... like the look of the still water and floating lillies.
I'd love a water feature but my area is very very prone to mosquitos already because of all the wetlands around... If I were to use dunks in a watering hole, can birds and animals still drink the water?
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"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
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Palm Tree
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Location: Cape Town (Map)
Posts: 1274
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Lovely - I really like the small pond. It is so petite.
Ferns and mosses always make me think Japanese garden. SO calm and tranquil.
Unfortunately, here by us, the Nephrolepis fern is categorized as an alien. The only fern that I do have growing here (on the one side of my water feature [pool]) is a Rumohra fern. 
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kaseylib
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 28 Dec 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1041
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| Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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Your gardens are lush and beautiful. I love your rustic water features.
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Jewell2009
Showing Great Promise
Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Location: Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US) (Map)
Posts: 647
PlantStew: 2905 |
| Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 3:58 am Post subject: |
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Daisybeans, yes the dunks are ok for birds and wildlife, according to the packaging and all that I have read and watched for in the yard.
(Mosquito Dunks-a product that floats on top of the water surface, and releases a bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis. Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis, is a bacteria that is harmless to humans, mammals and fish, but interfere with how mosquito larvas absorb nutrients. So no mosquito larvae reach adulthood due to malnutrition and starvation.)
Water spots are fun...and what a lot of wildlife in town needs them. Thanks for sharing with me 
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egoreise
On The Way Up
Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Location: Billings, Montana
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 6:32 am Post subject: |
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I keep coming back to look at these pictures! As you know, I'm just starting out. It really is inspiring. Your garden looks so beautiful and peaceful.
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Jewell2009
Showing Great Promise
Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Location: Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US) (Map)
Posts: 647
PlantStew: 2905 |
| Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 5:45 am Post subject: |
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That is very kind of all of you to say. I am definitely an impulse gardener that digs a lot.
For just starting out egoreise your garden has wonderful features. Can't wait to see what happens next.
I know I am always impatient with my own garden and am always surprise with what grows or doesn't. But I love the little surprises it provides.
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sonny
Just Arrived
Joined: 09 Sep 2008
Location: Evanston Park, South Australia
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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Hi have just joined garden stew. I love your ponds especially the one between the garage and house. They look so natural.
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Jewell2009
Showing Great Promise
Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Location: Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US) (Map)
Posts: 647
PlantStew: 2905 |
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Sonny, I hope you try some of your own if you don't already have one, or two. Happy gardening
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~Jewell
If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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gardengater
Highly Skillful
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 1566
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| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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I'm so glad you posted photos of your pretty ponds. I've just put a tiny above ground one in my yard and am slowly gathering water plants for it and around it. Mine is in full sun and am trying to get some plants around it to provide some shade so the shade-loving water plants don't burn. Your choices are good and I wish you luck with your painted ferns. They are a pretty addition.
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