44 décor | interiors landscaping

Water Gardens

W henever I have the opportunity to visit a special garden, whether large or small, famous or obscure, I almost always find a water feature. Recently, I was invited to visit the villa and gardens of Ephrussi de Rothschild, located on Saint-Jean- Cap-Ferrat, a small peninsula in the Cote d'Azur. The magnificent gardens overlook an endless view of the Mediterranean Sea. One may ponder that there was certainly enough water to fill the senses; but no, the garden itself has an intricate network of waterfalls, ponds and fountains. Water has such a magnetic effect. We are always drawn to the sound and appearance of water; whether still, moving, bubbling or spraying forth in a fountain, water always attracts our attention. Water in any shape or form creates a magical sense of place and many different moods. If you are fortunate to have the Thames River as part of your garden boundary, make sure you do not shut it out; open up the vista and let the water cast its spell. The sense of calm and peacefulness connected to water is our gift from nature. For those of us who do not have the flow of a river to look at, there are a few other creative options available. A water feature can be as simple as a vessel or basin filled with water, such as a Chinese porcelain goldfish bowl, a concrete birdbath or a wooden whiskey barrel. Any container that can hold water can have a few plants added and a couple of goldfish, and as simple as that you have a patio-sized water feature! Fountains can be simply installed into natural rocks, man-made brass statuary, or bubbling urns. Basically, the water circulates in a container and pumps continuously into a catch basin under the fountain. Fountains can be whimsical, classic or rustic, and are a great way to add character to your deck, courtyard or garden. The combination of water with an artistic piece of stone or crafted metal works well. Often, a small bubbling fountain is placed near the entrance to a house. Add a light fixture and voila, you have a beautiful welcoming feature in the evening. Dipping wells have been used traditionally to bring water close to the garden. The gardener dips a watering can to irrigate the planting beds, and water is replenished from an underground pipe. Patrick Lima's garden, Larkswhistle, has a number of these ponds or "pool-thingy" features, as he calls them, and they are a charming addition to his outstanding garden. There are seven in total, all connected; they are used primarily to dip from, but they are also wonderful to observe. Water lilies are planted inside, and all manner of birds, butterflies, toads and frogs visit the site. Pondless waterfalls are another option to consider. You can enjoy the movement and sound of water cascading amidst rocks, without having the work of a pond. When deciding where to place your water feature, it's always a good idea to have it close to the sitting area in your garden, perhaps near the deck or patio. Also, where do you spend time inside? Is there a window in the kitchen or living room where you could glance outside and enjoy the water that much more? If so, consider the placement of your water feature from inside your house. You can then even enjoy it in the evening or winter, during a rainstorm, or recovering from a chill. When designing a pond, make sure it's big enough. What's small to one person may be large to another, though. The notion is that once you have a pond installed, you will like it so much that you will wish you had made it bigger! Proportion also has an important role when designing the size of your pond; a tiny pond set into a large space doesn't usually look very good, and vice versa. Also consider whether you would prefer a natural By Nicola Kamp shaped pond, a geometric shaped feature, or perhaps a circle or oblong. A rectangular or circular pond can often be more appropriate for the town garden. Not all landscapes suit a naturalized pond area, and a small geometric-shaped water feature can usually be placed easily within the garden border or connect to the deck or patio. I chose this option many years ago; my garden of straight lines suited a more formal shaped pond. The pond is six by eight feet and surrounded by raised coping stone. After experimenting with many different water plants, I felt that just one type of plant, the water lily, would look more attractive than a medley of plants. Simplicity always works the best for me. I will never forget spending the day with my husband installing the pond. As the sun went down, we decided to stop, sit and observe our efforts. Out of the dark came a slight rustling sound. It was a toad! He looked at us almost as if to say, "Thanks," and jumped in. Toads are my favourite visitors these days and so are all the little toads.

Five Key Elements of a Healthy Pond Ecosystem

1. Recirculation System: Use a proper- sized pump to keep the water moving and to provide oxygen for the fish and plants. Many ponds these days are built with a skimmer attached. The skimmer, a great feature for pond owners who want to maintain optimal water quality, does an excellent job of cleaning the pond by filtering debris out of the water. 2. Gravel and Stone: Use rock and gravel in the pond to protect the liner from deterioration caused by UV light. The rocks also provide an area for bacteria to break down organic debris on the pond floor. As well, stone and gravel add to the beauty of a pond. | CITYWOMAN ISSUE ELEVEN: JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.citywoman.ca

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