The Lovely Lotus

I'm in love with the lotus. Is there any other aquatic plant as beautiful or graceful? It belongs to the genus Nelumbo and consists of only two species ... the yellow-flowered American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and the pink Asiatic lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). These two species have been grown and bred for centuries, resulting in hundreds of hybrids that range in size and color.

In my mind ... this is what Heaven looks like.

Fountains Aflow in the Garden

We're drawn to the sound of water ... while walking in the woods it beckons us to glimpse a nearby creek. When shopping, we're lured to the center court fountain to sit a spell and rest our weary feet until the next store tempts us to browse new trinkets. In your landscape, a fountain can be tucked into any corner that begs for a focal point.

A grouping of fountain rocks greets visitors near the home's front door. An underground basin holds water that is circulated by a pump up through the rocks, where the water spills over and falls back into the basin, covered with gravel.

We Have a Water Garden Book Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first blog giveaway! I hope all of you continue to enjoy the water gardening photos on this blog ... taken by water gardeners from across the country. Congratulations to Gabriele who won our two water gardening books ... Water Garden Lifestyles and Container Water Gardening for Hobbyists. The winner was chosen using Random.org. Here are a few more "water garden lifestyles" photos to enjoy ...

Every generation enjoys the water garden lifestyle!

Giveaway: Water Gardening Books

You deserve a little rest and relaxation ... and you have just 2 more days to enter to win 2 water gardening books that will show you how to rest and relax in your very own backyard oasis.  So if you like looking at photos like this ...

The Sound of Waterfalls

Waterfalls add delightful sound to the garden and can be customized for your listening pleasure. If you live near busy traffic, you might want a grand waterfall to drown out the noise of cars rushing by. But if you live in the country, a small idyllic stream or waterfall can create just the right melody for harmonizing with crickets and birds. Whatever your fancy, the perfect watefall can be created just for you ... so sit a spell and enjoy!

Fallen logs are strategically placed to make this stream appear as though it's been part of the landscape for tens of years.