MAGICAL GARDEN PONDS – There is something truly magical in a garden pond. As humans we are naturally drawn to water and we certainly have a deep fascination for it. There are lots of ways you can introduce water to your garden and one of the most popular ways is to build a garden pond.
When it comes to pond construction you have a couple of choices, you can either buy a preformed pond or employ the use of a liner.
Whichever you might choose, both will involve digging a hole, however with preformed ponds the hole must mimic the size and shape of the preformed pond you purchased.
If you really want to create a pond that is bespoke to your needs then the realistic answer has to be the use of a pond liner – as this will allow you to construct a pond to any size and depth your heart desires.
Water adds a magical feel to any garden.
The really great thing about having a pond, is not simply down to having a great water feature in your garden, but the ability to create your own eco-system of pond plants, such as Water Lilies, and wildlife. Once you have finished your pond you will find that it will be quickly populated with all sorts of aquatic life, from bugs to frogs and newts. Introducing fish into a pond is an entirely different matter and depending on the species, such as Goldfish or large Koi Carp, you will need to build a pond large enough to accommodate them.
Beautiful garden pond with stone jetty.
You can reduce the amount of work require to keep the pond clean and in tip top condition by fitting pumps, filters and a small water fountain. While the fountain may appear as just a pretty feature it actually does a lot more by helping to reduce algae, pond weed and duckweed, by keeping the surface of the water moving at all times.
Help keep the water moving with a fountain or waterfall.
With the introduction of fish you will need to keep a careful eye on the pH levels, so that you do not suffer with problems of hard water in your pond, ensure that the water is well aerated (the fountain really helps here) and that it has a good filtration system that is maintained on a regular basis.
A clean and maintained pond is a joy to behold.
Regardless of whether you decide to have fish in your pond or not, it is essential that a pump, filter and fountain are in place otherwise you will soon find out that the pond can become a rather smelly and unattractive feature to be around – there is nothing worse than a pond that stinks in the height of the summer months – phew!
Flowing water helps reduce maintenance and aerates the water.
The image below is a wonderful example of creating a small waterfall that helps aerate the water and keep pond weed to a minimum. I particularly like the way that the stepping waterfall has been beautifully planted; adding to its appeal and making it a stunning addition to the garden.
Create a theme for your garden pond, with a stream or waterfall.
Many people are under the impression that a beautiful pond has to be full of water lilies and other plants. However, if you are into the minimalist garden look then a pond can look equally as stunning with very little added, allowing just the water and a few stones to make the feature really stand out.
Beautiful garden pond that the minimalists will love.
When it comes to the spectacular, in garden ponds, the Japanese Garden Designs appear to win hands down as the design allows for just perfect synergy between water, aquatic life and plants. If you are thinking about introducing Koi Carp to your garden then consider a Japanese style design – it simply works so well, but remember a pond with fish does take a lot of looking after.
Japanese gardens invariably incorporate ponds and introduce large Koi Carp to complete the look.
If you like the dramatic and you really want to make a bold statement then consider using large rocks and boulders around and even in your garden pond, almost creating a Rock Garden, around and in the pond. Carefully note that if your pond has a liner and you want to place a large rock or boulder in the water, then place a good thick layer of soft sand first – this will save you from tearing the liner!
In the image below you’ll notice a nice piece of artwork has been introduced in the form of a Heron. I have been told that this type of artwork not only adds to the beauty of the pond (no argument there) but also helps keep real Heron’s away which have a tenancy to want to eat the fish in your pond.
When it comes to making a pond a little artistic you only have to take a trip to any Garden Centre to appreciate the huge variety of statues and ornaments available. Of course if you have the spare cash and you want something truly unique and spectacular you could always commission or buy a piece of art that you don’t often see around garden ponds. Take a look at a recent article that I wrote on Bronze Art for the Garden David Goode – he has some wonderfully unique and intriguing art pieces designed for the home and garden and a number of them featured in the article are perfect for garden ponds.
Rocks, large boulders and artwork features really add to the look of a garden pond.
When it comes to building a garden pond you are only limited by the size of your garden and your imagination. Be creative and test out a few designs you think you might like on graph paper first. You can always use some small rocks to map out the area and shape of your intended pond and move these around until you get the size and shape you want.
There is so much you can do in the way of designing a pond you will love.
I hope you have found the information here useful and that the images have inspired you. Please share my article – much appreciated! If you have any comments, suggestions or advice for other readers please leave these below.
