The garden should be a place to unwind. A perfect design solution to add extra ambiance to the garden is to add a pond. Ponds can be made in all shapes and sizes, only limited by space and imagination.
Choosing a Site for Garden Ponds
The first step in designing a garden pond is to decide where it should be placed.
The water in a garden pond will stay cleaner if sited in an open, sunny spot. Avoid overhanging trees that shed leaves. Even evergreen trees shed some leaves, which clog up the pond. Ponds sited in sun also deter mosquito as the water temperature becomes too hot for the larvae.
Walk around the garden, viewing it from several angles. What sort of landscaping is used in the garden? Does the garden have an overall theme? It may have an oriental, modern, tropical or classical theme. Is the garden formal or informal? Think of this theme when planning a site for the garden pond. Look for a spot where the pond will fit nicely into the current garden landscape.
What Size to Make the Pond
The size of the pond will impact on the overall look of the garden landscape. A tiny garden would become lost if a large pond takes up all the space just as a tiny pond would become lost in a large landscape.
If the pond is to be stocked with fish, the pond needs to be big enough. When deciding on the size of fish for ponds, allow 2 inches (5 cm) of fish to every square yard (1m) of surface water. Naturally, bigger fish like Koi need more space.
Shape of the Garden Pond
In addition to deciding on pond size, the shape of the pond needs to be considered. If a pre-made, stand-alone pond is to be used, the garden designer is limited by the range of shapes at garden stores. Making a pond from the outset gives more scope on shaping the pond. Special liners can be bought for these ponds.
Common pond shapes in design are the round, oval. kidney-shaped and rectangle, which is well suited to the formal garden. Free-form shapes are suited to the informal garden. especially the naturalistic garden, where wildlife can be encouraged to inhabit the pond. (Bear in mind that predatory fish, such as Koi carp, are not a good idea in this case.)
Rounded and free-form pond shapes can be made easily by using a garden hose to mark the outline or neon spray paint to mark the shape out on the ground.
Drawing a Garden Design
Once shape, size and location have been decided upon, it is time to draw up a plan.
- Buy some graph paper.
- Take measurements of the garden area where the pond is to be sited.
- Use the measurements to draw up a plan on the graph paper, including features and plants that are to be retained in the garden. Use a scale of about 1/4 inch (2cm) to 1 foot (1 meter) for a small garden. For a large garden; 1/8 inch ( 1cm) to 1 ft (1 m).
- Add the pond design to the plan.
- Add plantings and other structures, such as water features.
Now the gardener is ready to make the pond.
Plants for Ponds
Once the ground has been marked out and the pond has been made, it is time to start with the soft furnishings (plants). There is a huge range of plants suited to growing in and around garden ponds.
Plants that can survive on the damp edges of ponds are called marginal plants. Plants that survive in the water are usually referred to as aquatic plants. There are some plants that fall into both categories, being happy in water or beside water.
When choosing plants, consider the height. Plant tall plants at the back of the pool so they can be seen behind smaller plants, which grow around the edges. Use medium height and taller plants to frame the pond, being careful not to hide the water from view.
When purchasing flowering plants, consider the colors that will bloom throughout the year.
When designing a garden pond, several things need to be taken into account. Consider the site for the pond and the size of pond compared to the size of the garden. The garden designer needs to think about the overall theme of the garden and whether it is formal or informal in planting style. Choose a shape that fits in with these requirements and start planting, considering height, shape and color. The end result will give a special touch to any garden.
Sources
- McHoy, Peter and Tessa Evelegh, Garden Planning, Design and Decoration. Australia: Anness Publishing Ltd., 1999.
- Hallinan, Lynda. New Zealand Garden in Style. New Zealand: Random House, 2004.
Sally Putan - Sally was born 1957, in Wellington, New Zealand. She completed her study as an Occupational Therapist in 1980 and worked in New Zealand ...
