Wading into Water Garden

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Water offers such a wide variety of applications that no garden can be considered too small, no style too restrictive and few budgets too meager to accommodate some kind of water feature.

When introducing water, spend time considering why you want it in your garden, then plan how it can best be integrated into the garden’s existing design scheme. Take into account the nature of movement and sound that moving water features can offer — these elements need to be applied with just as much care as color and texture in a planting scheme. Adjustable flow controllers on the outlets of pumps for fountains and waterfalls enable the pressure and volume to be finely tuned — too much noise can be obtrusive; too little and it becomes irritating. Cobbles in shallow water at the base of waterfalls create a totally different sound from water falling into deeper water.

Two popular misconceptions must be dispelled at the outset in planning a water feature. First, moving water needs no connection to the main water supply. Second, ponds are not necessarily more appropriate in areas of high rainfall — they provide welcome oases in dry climatic zones.

The considerations of site will be discussed later, but first let’s look at some main types of pond.

Formal pools. A formal pool is often the ideal option for a small garden where there is little or no lawn and the surface is dominated by paving. The formal pool has clearly defined, crisp edges, which are generally paved and form regular geometric shapes. The planting is restrained, confined mainly in aquatic planting containers, and dominated by specimen plants that have bold upright leaves, such as irises, which create a strong vertical contrast to the even, horizontal expanse of the water.

Informal ponds. The priority in planning an informal pond is to blend it into the existing style of garden design. This type of pond would have strong appeal to the gardener, offering considerable scope for lush planting which may not be possible in other parts of the garden. The boundaries of the pond could be extended to a bog area, so allow space for this at the planning stage. If fish are introduced, the choice, size and number will need to be strictly limited.

Raised pools. These are similar to formal pools in their suitability for small spaces and being surrounded by paving. For small or patio gardens surrounded by high fences or walls, pools introduce reflected light to counteract any feeling of restriction. One of the great pleasures of a raised pool is to be able to sit on the pool surround and enjoy the water at close quarters. Raised pools combined with a fountain are very suitable for fish because the fountain spray oxygenates the water in summer months.

Ponds for Fish. If you aim to keep fish in a pond, it is important to resolve the practical issues of good fish husbandry at the initial planning stage in order to avoid problems when the fish are introduced. The serious fish-keeper’s requirements are vastly different from those of the gardener and include an increase in the amount of equipment such as pumps and filters as the fish increase in size and number, as well as the necessity of easy cleaning on a regular basis. Small fish grow into big fish, particularly where koi carp are concerned, and large koi are not the most suitable partners for ornamental water plants. Oxygenating plants that may be adequate for a small ornamental pond will not supply the needs of big fish.

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