Shasta Koi & Water Garden Club

So You Want a Water Garden?

There is something about the sound of a waterfall or fountain that just relaxes and cools a body off.  So how do you get one of these?  Well it can be as simple as a self contained manufactured statuary fountain feature or as elaborate as a Japanese style water garden.  The do-it-yourself (DIY) will find it easy to create that little island of serenity that a water garden can bring about.  Help is just a question away.  Several club members have beautiful gardens that contain just plants and gardens that combine plants and fish.  The club has several books in the library to help the beginner.  Or maybe you are looking to expand your knowledge, either way the library is there for you.

There are several plant dealers that would be willing to help.  Our own club members from Haan's Water Gardens have plants on hand and good advice to give.

For an easy start to an above ground water garden one can purchase a good looking wooden half barrel, some liner material, and a small submersible pump with fountain attached.  Then a few plants like maybe water lilies and you are set to sit back and relax.

What is that you say?  You would rather have something in the ground right next to the patio.  Well one could pick up one of the preformed small plastic ponds, dig a hole in the ground, lower it into place, a small submersible pump and fountain, and few plants and sit back.  There are even pumps and fountains that are solar powered.  Not too costly either. 

What about plants you say?  Well here are a few to think about.  Lilies and parrot feather would fit nicely in a small water garden.  Larger ponds can contain submerged plants such as Anacharis, tropical water lilies, any number of marginals such as Sweet flag and topped of with floating plants like Water hyacinth.  There are many choices for water gardening, so go see a local plant dealer.

Perhaps a little should be said about mosquito control.  Mosquito fish or goldfish are good for control of mosquitoes.  If you do not want any fish then a product such as Mosquito Dunks will control the little beasts.

However you create one, a water garden can easily reflect you own tastes and pocket book.  So just read a bit, ask questions, and create your own little relaxing get-a-way.

USDA Zone Hardiness-click on link and type in your zip code.

Whiskey barrels lend themselves to all kinds of plantings.  Their size accommodates several plants as well as a few goldfish and snails.  Water barrels are not good homes for koi or exotic fish. 

A few ideas for your water garden or pond.

Submerged Plants and Oxygenators:

• Anacharis
• Fanwort
• Hornwort
• Water Violet
• Foxtail

Floating Plants:

• Water hyacinth
• Fairy moss
• Frogbit
• Water lettuce
• Duckweed

Water-Lily-Like Plants and Lilies:

• Water poppy
• Water snowflake
• Water lilies (many varities available)
• Tropical water lilies
• Lotuses

Marginals:

• Sweet flag
• Rush
• Marsh marigold
• Water canna
• Taro
• Sedge
• Hibiscus
• Irises
• Water parsley
• Pickeral weed
• Lizzard's tail

*some plants are not permitted in certain states.  Check with your local nursery.