On Golden Pond

Although waterlilies and lotus are fading, the spectacular golds and reds of the trees add bursts of striking color around the water garden. A reflective pond doubles your viewing pleasure of nature's riotous exit from summer.

Cattails stretch tall as leaves begin their descent into the gentle waters below.

What's Outside Your Window?

Everyone wants a room with a view, right? If your landscape is lacking when you look out your window, you can always spruce up your yard. Or better yet ... you can add a room with large windows and design a water feature to flow right up to the glass like this homeowner did!

Rather than put the patio next to the sliding door, the water garden was brought up close, with a charming walkway stretching across the pond.

Bridge Over Un-Troubled Waters

A bridge signifies a journey ... over something ... to another place. In the landscape, a bridge is an open invitation to come and explore. When that bridge transcends water, the explorer lingers to enjoy the view of the rippling stream, cascading waterfalls, playful fish, and all the plants that find nourishment in and around the water garden.

  Shimmers of golden koi catch the eye while crossing this graceful garden bridge.

Small Ponds Pack a Punch

If you're under the mistaken impression that a pond simply won't fit in your yard ... think again! Ponds come in a variety of shapes and sizes and their versatility is what makes them such a great addition to your landscape ... in addition to the music of the waterfalls and the birds and butterflies they attract.

You might not think to use big rocks for a smaller pond, but a few boulders create focal points, softened by aquatic plants. The flat rock on the left is a perfect spot to sit and dangle tired tootsies in the water.

Aquatic Plants: The Colors of Fall

Mother Nature was kind enough to provide us with an explosion of color as plants nod off to dormancy. Orange, yellow, bronze, gold, red ... all of these can be found painted across the petals of aquatic plants. Why should trees get to have all the fun, anyway?

Nymphaea 'Comanche' displays its burnished color against deep green leaves.