A. The decision to have a water garden is largely determined by selected answers to basic questions: How can a water garden compliment your lifestyle and inner needs and still demand only moderate maintenance? What type of plant life is appropriate for a balanced ecosystem, large or small? Whatever a person's lifestyle may be, pools of water have always held an almost irresistible fascination for man. Our senses and feelings respond to water as a focal point. Often it is the energy of cascading waterfalls in a large formal garden or still water in a reflection pool designed for quiet contemplation.
These considerations determine how the water garden will fit into the available space or overall landscape of the project, meaning the size, design and construction of a pool or pond. These are three primary methods of building a pool: a butyl rubber liner, a pre-formed fiberglass line or concrete. The site selection should consider the types of plants to be used, how much sunlight is available, the most level land possible, easy access to water and electricity, an appropriate view for the house and how well the water will reflect the landscape. The design of the formal pool should be square or symmetrically in line with other shapes in the garden. A curved pool is better suited to an informal garden. Also, tall plants look better beside a formal garden, as so spreading plants in an informal garden.
Aquatic plant variety and availability are almost endless. Always consult an aquatic plan expert in your locale. However, floating leafed and submerged plants are necessary for a healthy pond and must be included. Tropical day or night blooming lilies, hardy lilies, changeables and submerged plants. Plant the pond in the spring if possible. Water in a newly planted water garden will take a long time to clear. Patience and a properly installed filtration system will prevail. Don't change the water. Green algae will appear but the spreading plants will take over the water from the algae. The filters should be cleaned weekly and the pump pulled from the pool and cleaned regularly. As the leaves and flowers of the plants die, remove them. Keep a dated record of the above regular projects. Moderate maintenance is possible.
If you think that a water garden is out of your reach, consider a paradigm shift in your approach to the subject. Anyone can be a water gardener. Style choices can include a container water garden on the patio, a reflection pool in the back yard or an elaborate water garden on extensive grounds. The choice is yours. Take the plunge.