~Water Gardens~

I don't have a water garden yet, but I sure would like one! I love water lilies.

You don't have to have a big area in order to have a water garden. It is possible to have a small one, without digging a hole or buying a pre-made pond. You can create your very own little water garden in a barrel, which are in effect potted ponds.

Use a waterproof wooden barrel, or line it first with black plastic. Make sure you have it in the location you want before adding the water. Half fill it with water and you are ready to begin adding plants. Regular tap water is fine for your barrel but if possible let it stand for 48 hours before adding any plants. If you are going to put fish in your pond, be sure to add a plant which oxygenates. Canadian pondweed is a good choice and it continues to work in the winter. Also, you will need the largest container possible to accommodate the fish as a smaller version does not provide them with enough oxygen.

A single water lily will quickly fill a 18 inch diameter barrel with flowers and foliage all summer long. Water lilies only open fully in direct sun,so, choose your spot carefully. This is the type of water garden I want.

Other types of water gardens you might like to try are water irises, miniature bulrush, or a potted bog garden. I'm going for a lily one, as soon as I can convince Ed, that $20 for one little plant really isn't all that much! LOL

Special thanks to Grace,

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