To the uninitiated, water gardens usually seem complicated,
expensive or both. But they don
’t have to be, especially if you start with something small,
such as a water garden in a tub.
To the uninitiated, water gardens usually seem complicated, expensive or both. But they don’t have to be, especially if you start with something small, such as a water garden in a tub.
I’m not literally talking about a bath tub to start a water garden, but it can be used. Basically, any water-tight container can hold an aquatic garden. Half wine barrels lined with PVC sheeting are common in the old days, but new commercial pond liners make things even easier. These pond liners are usually made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC sheeting) or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EP rubber). They are molded into a variety of free-form shapes, and are usually less than 18 inches deep.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need circulating water for a successful small water garden. If you set it up correctly, the water will stay relatively clear without a circulating pump and filter. Your basic tub garden may contain a couple bunches of oxygenating or submerged plants, a water lily (Nymphaea) and a bog plant. A couple water snails and a few mosquito fish, goldfish or guppies will help keep things clear.
A reputable nursery should have everything you need. Water lilies or bog plants are actually plants that are planted in containers. These containers are then set under the water where they supply oxygen and compete with algae for nutrients. A common bog plant may be cat tail (Typha latifolia). Others may include: Chinese water chestnut, common watercress, Japanese iris, water poppy or water hawthorne.
Do not overlook the fish or aquatic snails. Both help control algae. Ordinary goldfish will do fine, although guppy-like mosquito fish will keep mosquitoes away by eating the mosquito larvae. Sometimes, mosquito fish are even given away free by your county’s Agriculture Department. I’ve also seen mosquito fish giveaways at festivals and the county fair.
Algae is a natural part of pond life, and some forms always will coat the pond’s lining. Some shade minimizes algae, but all the components talked about will form a healthy water garden.
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of water gardens: either still or active. You can garden in still water gardens, but you usually can not successfully garden in water gardens that are active with moving water. Fountains and cataracts add sparkle and splash to a garden, being noisy and full of flash. Some fountains don’t disturb the water significantly, and lilies can survive in water gardens with them if the splashing isn’t constant, or if they’re located away from the fountain. Most aquatic plants, however, prefer calm water.
You’ll find there is a plethora of information out there on water gardens. Check out nurseries and the Internet for more information.
Keith Muraoka lives and works in Gilroy. His award-winning column has been in this newspaper since 1984. E-mail him at: ga********@jp*.net, or write him in c/o Morgan Hill Times, P.O. Box 757, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
