Water Feature Ideas

Last week, I made my annual trip to the Indiana Flower and Patio Show. I have always enjoyed this show and it comes at a great time in Indiana when normally we are still having snow. It is wonderful to walk in the gardens and enjoy the fragrances of the many blooming flowers and trees. It just gets you very excited about the return of spring. The Indiana Flower and Patio Show is always a great place to get lots of good decorating ideas. I thought I would share with you over several blog posts, some of the highlights from the show. Today's post is all about water features for the garden. I hope you enjoy the photos and find some ideas for your garden.

I like the moss added to this pond. It makes the pond feel like it has some age to it and the moss softens the hard rock edges.

I thought this water feature was colorful and a great way to recycle used wine bottles.

The tubes that you see standing up are copper tubing with water coming out of the top of each one. It works as a fountain yet adds an artistic look to the water feature. Reminds me of reeds.

I hope you enjoyed the water features from the Indiana Flower and Patio Show and maybe found some ideas you can use in your garden. Check back for my next post on "Container Ideas" from the Indiana Flower and Patio Show.

Happy Gardening!

The Creative Gardener

More Great Water Features for the Garden

 

Don't you just enjoy the sound of water in a garden?  Whether it is a fountain, waterfall or the soft trickling sound of a stream, water features add beauty and a relaxing feel to a garden.  I like water features in my garden.  Having a large garden, I can get away with having several in my landscape.  When I go to garden shows or go on garden tours, I like to take photos of the many different types that are available and post them to my blog for others to enjoy and to get ideas from for their own gardens.  Here are some new photos that I recently took of some of my favorites. Enjoy!

Natural looking waterfall and stream.

Three urns on a pondless bed of rock.

An old fashion well pump and a bucket.

Three stepping stones stacked on a bed of rock.

A large lighted water feature.

A large rock in a  pondless water feature.

A waterfall and pond for a very small garden or a corner of a garden.

A large metal water feature made of rebar, saw blades and gears.

The new trend of fire and water.

A copper weeping tree fountain.

Stacked cinder blocks with water and planting spaces for plants in the holes.

The water streams down real pine cones like a rain chain into a pond.

A waterfall and stack stone that looks like a car with tires and headlights.

Copper lily pads as a water feature.

Copper water pipes used as a water feature.

 

I hope you liked the photos of water features.  If you have been considering a water feature and would like to see more photos, please check my past blog posts on Water Features for the Garden. Get inspired and do something creative in the garden this spring!

 

If you are not a "Follower" of Garden Thyme with the Creative Gardener, please become one!  I enjoy hearing from and sharing with other gardeners about their gardens, projects and ideas.

 

Happy Gardening!

Debbie

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day - February 2013

 

This Garden Blogger's Bloom Day does not find much blooming yet in my garden.  The Witch Hazel is blooming some days and other days the petals are curled up from the cold.  The Hellebores in the garden are starting to show some color in what will be blooms, but they are also waiting for warmer weather.  Yesterday was a good day to get out and start cleaning up the gardens and I did get lots of leaves cleaned up. Today it is cold and we have a few snow flakes that are coming down.

 

 I have been digging up and potting perennials and shrubs due to a patio and deck remodel. It is not an easy job when the plants have not started coming up. Today the installers are taking down part of the deck and setting the post for the new stairs.  Next week another company will start installing patio pavers.  Once the pavers are installed the deck installers will start rebuilding the deck and stairs.  This project will be going on for several weeks depending on the weather.  After the pavers and deck are complete, I will start building a fish pond next to the patio that will be bigger and deeper than what I currently have.

 

The plans for the deck and patio is on schedule and I can't wait to see what it will look like when the trees and shrubs leaf out and the perennial plants break ground.  Check back for future blogs and pictures on the entire remodel from start to finish.  That is about all that is going on in my garden this month, which is more than enough. Next month's Garden Blogger's Bloom Day should have flowers and a complete patio and deck.

 

Happy Gardening!

Debbie

Ideas for Garden Ponds

Ponds can come in all sizes and shapes for the garden. Ponds come as kits with pumps, filters and liners, prefabricated ponds or purchased as individual pieces depending on your needs. Installation does take time and some digging, but even the amateur can install a small garden pond. There is a pond for every price range.

This is a pondless pond and it is nice if you have pets, small children or limited space. This pond is easy to install.

Lights add interest to the pond at night.

If you have the space, add a streambed to your pond to give it a natural look.

Add a waterfalls to your pond for that wonderful sound effect.




Ponds can be made of cement block and liners.

Add different sizes of rock and small river rock for a natural look.



Add a little wimsey!

Cover the liner edge with rock and the bottom of the pond with small river rock. Conceal the liner as much as possible.




Add shrubs, moss and assorted perennials to accent your pond.

Moss covered rocks add a natural look.



Add limbs, driftwood and other nature related items around the pond for a natural look.

Ponds attract wildlife into the garden and also add winter interest.

If you would like to install a pond into your garden, spend some time reading on installation and maintenance. Check on city codes, zoning or home association rules before installation along with where underground utilities are located before digging. If you are using a pump, remember that you will need electricity to that area. If you want to maintain fish during the winter, make sure the pond is deep enough. Now is a good time to start investigating for spring installation.

Happy Gardening!

The Creative Gardener

Don't forget to pick!