Water Gardens

Concept of water gardens

Water gardens, also known as aquatic gardens, are a type of man-made water feature.

A water garden is defined as any interior or exterior landscape or architectural element whose primarily purpose is to house, display, or propagate a particular species or variety of aquatic plant.

Although a water garden's primary focuses on plants, they will sometimes also house ornamental fish,  in which case the feature will be a fish pond.

History of water gardens

Majority references referred it to "ancient times" and "long ago",

but fail to locate reference showing dates.

History with regard to aquatic plants reveals that:

Ø  Fossil evidence of an early form of water lily shows that it was used as early as 125-115 million years BC

Ø  Legends, myths, art and physical evidence shows its presence in ancient Egyptian culture and religion

Ø  The earliest planned gardens with ponds were probably in Egypt, documented 2800 BC.

Ø  The Imperial garden (from 206 BC) in China seems the first garden having water features

Benefits of Water gardening

Benefits of Water gardening

"Nearly 20% of buyers say they consider landscaping to be a ‘very important’ factor in their decision to buy a house, according to a new study by the National Association of Realtors."
(Wall Street Journal. Selling Houses by the Yard. August 17, 2007.)
Property adjacent to water – whether a pond, lake, stream, river, or ocean – is often more expensive.

Besides the decorative aspect, water gardening rendered following

additional benefits

ü  Research shows that being in nature, even viewing it can have a positive effect on the healing process

ü  It has been shown that soothing sounds of flowing water helps reduce stress by increasing endorphin production.

ü  One major aspect of stress in the medical setting is the feeling of loss of control, water gardening offers can help to restore this sense of control

ü  Helps the healing of both mind and body to advance more smoothly and greatly reduce the isolation feeling patients often get

ü  A water garden provides a place outdoors where healing and reconnection with nature can begin

ü  Water features enrich the environments of medical facilities

Categories of water gardens

Several types of water gardens, discussed below:

1- Container water garden

Ø  It is typically small and easy to care

Ø  Can be placed on a patio or balcony with ease.

Ø  Good choice for limited spaces

Ø  Containers range from bowls (hold several gallons water) to large barrels and tubs.

2- Raised ponds

Ø  Built directly into the ground, and require more maintenance than other types.

Ø  Suitable for fish because of stable temperature

Ø  Well suited for formal gardens and are safe around children

 can be partially or fully raised.

3- Semi-Extensive living roofs

Ø  It is another man made pond which requires a lot of digging and the placement of a flexible or preformed liner

Ø  Patio stone can also be placed around it to add to the decor.

Ø  These ponds are also well suited to fish and aquatic plants.

4-  Bog

Ø  It is an irregular shaped hole in the ground that was dug out.

Ø   

Ø  It is built by digging out some ground and laying a flexible liner with sand, plants and rocks holding it down.

Ø  It is appropriate for wildlife (dragonflies, frogs and others).

Ø  Natural bogs can be made without a liner and very little water, used to manage and filter rainwater runoff which is an important environmental feature.

Design considerations

Step -1

To decide the type of pond you want to build

Ø  It means what type of aquatic life you want in the pond (goldfish, koi, aquatic plants? Or  the sound of a waterfall.

Ø  Each type of pond will need specific features

Ø  Be with appropriate size as small pond limits the number of fish and plants you can add.

Step-2

To select proper location

Ø  Close to the home and can be seen year round

Ø  Runoff from rain will not flow into the pond

Ø  Avoid placing a pond too close to trees

Ø  receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun

Step -3

To determine the size of your pond or water garden

Ø  A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep

Ø  Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid

Step -4

Dig the pond or water garden to the desired shape.

Ø  If keeping plants dig a shelf around the border of the pond about one foot deep and one or more feet wide.

Ø  Dig the remainder of the pond with a slight slope to the end opposite the waterfall if one is included in the design.

Step -5

Position any external pond filters and level these in their proper location.

Step -6

Ø  Line the pond or water garden excavation with Pond Underlayment

Step -7

Ø  Place the Rubber Pond Liner into the excavation and unfold.

Step -8

Ø  Pond waterfalls and streams can be excavated now

Step -9

Ø  Place the stone or other coping around the edge of the pond or water garden.

Step -10

Ø  Add dechlorinator to the pond to remove any chlorine or chloramines.

Step -11

Ø  Add aquatic plants as soon as possible after constructing the pond or water garden.