Monday 21 July 2008

Water feature.....

The main reason for this feature was to attract insects. As the ornamental pond is raised, I needed to put some large pebbles in one corner, to enable creatures to get out. My daughter and I did enjoy paddling around and putting them in the right place.
It also has given me the chance for some new planting in and out of the pond. You can see one of the lovely cone flowers I bought. I also have a lovely water hawthorn in the pond, which flowers from April to October and attracts butterflies.
I love the fountain with the ornamental lettuces floating beneath it.....
and the lovely tiger flowers almost give it an oriental feel.
The main structure is old oak railway sleepers.....I thought this fitting as we have the railway at the end of the garden and the old house is supported by oak.......
The seating on top of the sleepers is deck and this ties in very nicely with the deck area.
Mr P has worked hard and apart from a lift with the very heavy sleepers has done all the work himself.......I have planted and dressed the pond.........and there are beds each side full of dwarf conifers and flowers. We designed this water feature together.....and I am really pleased with the end result. Tell me what you think.....and is there anything I can add......would love to have your opinion......

20 comments:

Rose said...

Cheryl, this is beautiful! With everything you have growing in your garden and now this lovely water feature, I'd never want to go in the house:)
Mr.P did a wonderful job; give him my compliments.

Cheryl said...

Thanks Rose....I will tell Mr. 'P' you approve......I am never indoors, you should see the dust on the furniture......oh well, there is always tomorrow for housework.....

Baker Watson said...

Wow Cheryl, great water feature. Excellent job with the installation. It blends right in. Now you have so many opportunities for aquatic plants, also.

I'm sure you love having it, especially the fountain which is striking. Nothing like the sound of water falling and splashing to soothe the soul.

I'm sure you are going to enjoy this for years to come.

Joyce said...

What a beautiful feature, Cheryl! Are planning any fish?

Cheryl said...

Hi Baker...I am looking forward to having some unusual aquatic plants....I know it is not deep enough for many water insects but there are some that will like it. We already have a couple of beetles swimming and diving around, then sitting on the stones in the sun. It is lovely to watch them. I am hoping to teach the grandchildren about the insects that visit. You are so right running water does soothe the soul and it will be fun for years to come......

Cheryl said...

Hello Joyce....Thank you. No I am not planning fish, I want to encourage insects etc to the pond and of course the fish would eat them. Apart from that I have had fish before and they are a lot of trouble in an ornamental pond....at least that is what I found......

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Wow Cheryl. You and Mr P make a great team. Your water feature is delightful. I bet you can't keep your eyes off of it right now. I can't wait to see the posts about all the bugs and frogs etc that will eventually be drawn to your pond.

beckie said...

Well done both of you! I am envious, but so happy for you at the same time. A project like this will mean so much to both of you because you did it yourselves. I can't think of a thing to add. The water plants look lovely and your new plantings showcase it so well. As Rose said, I would never want to go inside. I'd sit on the deck and drink my coffee and just enjoy! I love that tiger lily. And of course I know you are going to love those coneflowers. Next year you should have twice as many. Now, both of you pull up a chair and sit back and enjoy your creation!

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....You are right....we both keep walking over, taking a look and walking away again. I am not sure what we think is going to happen.....but it is fun to have done a project together.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie...Thank you, you are so sweet. We will sit on the deck together and sip our wine and toast you my dear friend....

I can't wait for the coneflowers to increase. My Dad saw them today and fell in love with them. He has never seen them, so was really taken, bless him.

It's been hard work but we have both enjoyed it and laughed a lot doing it........

Jackie said...

Your pond is beautiful! I would love to have an attractive pond, but I have to make things predator proof in my yard, which means an unsightly fence/roof over the turtle pond. Is your pond made of hard sided plastic?

Cheryl said...

Hi Zhakee....the oak sleepers hold a thick protective layer of cloth and then a butane pond liner (which is flexable) fits over that. You then fill the pond and the deck on top of the sleepers holds it in place.....

How I would love a turtle pond....

Libbys Blog said...

wow! wow! and double wow! just what I would like at the top of my garden on the patio (if I had space)but definately food for thought!!! Really love the fountain too!!!

Cheryl said...

Hi Libby....could always make a smaller version!!!!

Dawny P said...

Oh this is so gorgeous Cheryl. Well done to you both for creating this stunning, living feature in your garden. I'm sure it will give you loys of pleasure for years to come xxxx

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny....I am lookin forward to seeing this project evolve....such fun.........

Anonymous said...

Hi Cheryl...Hope you are well..Well your garden is an absolute pleasure to visit..Wow Wow Wow It looks `Beautiful` I love all the beautiful ...gorgeous photo`s you share with us...You certainly deserve Awards for all your time effert and love put into it...It certainly shows!!!:)
I would just like to `Thankyou` fo ralways stopping by you are soo sweet and I feel awful I dnt pop over more!!!
Hope you Michelle and the little Dinkies are well:):):)
Much Love to you all:)x

Mary said...

Cheryl, I LOVE IT! I have no suggestions for you. The lettuce plants will multiply and provide shade and keep the algae from growing. The fountains are beautiful. I'd be tempted to wade under them in the evenings :o)

Every garden needs a water feature. Period.

Cheryl said...

Hi Terrie.....tks for dropping by....we are all ok at the moment...

tks for all the lovely comments they are much appreciated, its good to share!!!

Cheryl said...

Do you know Mary you are so right. I never knew how much I would appreciate a water feature until we had one.
Wading in the evening is not tempting, you are talking South Carolina temps not Kent England!!!!