GARDENING : Planting Ponds in the Yard
Whether it’s in a tub or a 2,000-gallon pond, a water garden can provide hours of pleasure, relaxation and inspiration. Gazing at a surface of water is relaxing by itself, and the enjoyment is enhanced when the observer sees fish swimming in the enclosure or appreciates the fragile beauty of waterlilies in the pond or plants reflected on the surface.
Gardeners who are concerned with water conservation can install a water garden with a clear conscience because studies show that water-filled gardens use less water than the same area when planted in grass. One thousand square feet of grass consumes 27,000 gallons annually, while a 15-by- 30-foot pool surrounded by decking requires 17,000 gallons per year.
Larry Tannas has converted much of his back yard in Orange into a serene haven containing two large water ponds, several aviaries and lush plantings. “I started with a tub, a waterlily and a few fish,” he said. “The family enjoyed the water garden so much that we gradually expanded to our present setup.”
Ten years ago, Tannas and his wife decided to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with the creation of a water garden. He had pleasant memories of a koi pond that was part of his childhood home in Wilmington, and he created a similar one.
Using a plastic liner, he reinforced it with chicken wire and concrete. Today, the 500-gallon pond contains 10 large koi. Five years ago, he decided to build another pond, one that could support ducks and an aviary. He designed a 1,000-gallon pond and added a 16-by-16-by-8-foot aviary containing ducks, quail and pheasant that partially encloses it.
A 5-foot waterfall adds a rhythmic cadence to the serene setting. The exposed section contains five waterlily plants and other greenery.
“It takes work and planning to create a successful water garden,” Tannas cautioned. “I like an ecological balance so my ponds have the necessary fish and plants that make my ponds self-sustaining.”
Water garden expert Bill Uber agrees that advance planning should be the first step to creating a water garden. “Do you want a koi pond or a water garden? Do you want a waterfall or a fountain? These are just some of the factors that determine what type of setup is appropriate,” he said.
Uber is the third generation of his family to operate Van Ness Water Gardens in Upland, and he’s the author of “Water Gardening Basics.”
“Keep it simple,” Uber said, “and start out small. You can have a lovely garden using a whiskey barrel, a waterlily and a few goldfish.”
For those ready to make a larger investment, Uber advocates a preformed 4-by-6-foot liner that’s easy to install. Holding 400 to 600 gallons of water, it can support a balanced water garden containing a fancy goldfish, a few lilies and other water plants.
There’s a real difference between a koi pond and a water garden. Koi (Japanese Imperial Carp) are valued for their iridescent hues and responsiveness to humans. They can live for decades and they need larger ponds than goldfish relatives because they reach lengths of three to four feet. Koi also eat plants and waterlilies, which need special protection when included in koi ponds. Fancy goldfish can thrive in smaller ponds and don’t disturb the lilies.
Fish are necessary ingredients in any pond setting since they eat mosquito larvae, aphids and algae, and are important for keeping the pond clean and in balance. Water snails are also necessary for keeping the pond clean.
Waterlilies are also needed for healthy ponds. More than just decorative additions, they play crucial roles in maintaining the pond’s natural balance. Their leaves provide surface coverage of the water, thereby keeping the water cool and preventing loss of oxygen from the water surface.
Botanically related to the buttercup and magnolia, waterlilies originally were found only in white or sometimes pale shades of pink. And as the plants have increased in popularity, hybridizers have developed waterlilies in vibrant shades of purples, yellows, blues, coppers and reds .
They’re categorized in two basic groups: hardy and tropical. Tropicals are further classified by day- or night-blooming.
Hardy lilies are perennials, especially in this climate, and they bloom April through October. Each plant produces flowers that reach just above the water surface. They’re available in shades of pink, red, white and orange. The red hues are prone to burning in hot sun.
Tropical lilies exhibit larger, taller blooms with a wider range of colors than their hardy relations, and they usually have a sweet fragrance. Only tropicals offer the elusive blue hue that some lily fanciers favor. Although most live for just one year, a plant can produce as many as 100 blossoms in its lifetime. The flowers can be cut and brought indoors for flower arrangements.
Night-blooming lilies add another element of enjoyment to people who want to spend evenings in the garden. Red, pink or white blossoms unfurl after the sun has set, and are especially effective when highlighted by lights floating in the pool or placed around the pond’s perimeter.
People with limited garden space can also enjoy water gardening by using tubs. Small washtubs, redwood tubs, old bathtubs and even large crock pots can be used, but they shouldn’t be more than 18-inches deep. It’s best to line olive, wine or whiskey barrels with PVC liner especially made for fish to protect plants and fish from harmful residues of the fermenting process that may still be in the barrel.
As with any water garden, the tub should be in a sunny location. For ease, place it on rollers before filling with water and plants. Then just roll the tub garden to wherever sunlight falls on it.
Water garden kits, consisting of PVC liners and accessories, are available at most nurseries and garden centers. Uber recommends enforcing them with wire and concrete. “Sometimes dogs or children can jump in the pond and may tear the liner, and when it’s reinforced it probably will minimize the damage,” he added.
Uber doesn’t recommend cement ponds. “This is a transient society now and most homeowners will probably sell their home in their lifetimes. Ponds aren’t desired by everyone and it’s a lot harder to fill in a cement pond that it is to remove one built from a PVC or preformed liner.”
Earthquakes are another reason to avoid cement ponds since the resulting cracks can be difficult and costly to repair.
“Make it easy” is Uber’s slogan. “The back yard should be a haven, not a time-consuming burden.”
For that reason, he advocates taking the time and initial effort to install a pond correctly, with all the necessary elements for it to become established. A healthy pond will contain clear water and healthy fish and plants. A pond not in balance is characterized by green, murky water, and the plants and fish won’t thrive.
It takes at least 60 to 90 days for a newly installed pond to become ecologically balanced.
Uber also believes novice water gardeners should buy inexpensive waterlilies, since they’re usually easier to grow than the rare lilies. Their prices range from $30 to $100 or more for the very rare varieties.
His recommendations include:
* Attraction--red, hardy
* Comanche--orange, hardy
* Edward C. Uber--purple, tropical
* Gladstoniana--white, hardy
* Marliac Carnea--light pink, hardy
* Sunrise--yellow, hardy
Van Ness Water Gardens publishes an informative, color catalogue available for $6 at 2460 N. Euclid Ave., Upland, Calif. 91786. (714) 982-2425.
