7 Tips for Water Gardens

Let’s put the “garden” into your water garden! It's plants that truly bring your aquascape to life. So, if you're thinking about building and designing your own water feature, let's explore some tips and tricks to make it flourish.

1. Create Interest with Variety

Imagine a canvas bursting with textures and colours, capturing your attention at every glance. To achieve this captivating effect, embrace the power of variety. Don't limit yourself to plants with the same growth habit or leaf shape. Instead, mix it up! Combine the elegance of water lilies with the charm of marginal and oxygenating plants. The options are endless, allowing you to transform your water garden each year by simply selecting different hardy plants.

2. Play with Colours

Just like an artist's palette, colours can add depth and dimension to your water garden. Choose shades that resonate with you, while considering the lighting conditions. Need to brighten up a shady corner? Opt for vibrant yellows, oranges, and whites. Want to temper the intensity of the sun's rays? Cool blues and violets are your allies. For a visual feast, experiment with warm and cool colours together. Let your imagination and creativity run wild!

3. Go Green

As with many things in life, sometimes less is more. Create a soft and calming space by playing with different textures and shades of green foliage. This approach echoes the style of a Japanese zen garden, where texture takes centre stage over a riot of colours. Celebrate the leafy wonders of aquatic plants by revelling in their array of greens, from dark and luscious emerald to zesty lime.

4. Know Your Plant Size

Ah, the common pitfall of many aspiring water gardeners: underestimating the size of their plants. Avoid this mishap by considering the height and width that your plants will reach at maturity. Leave ample space for their future growth, as overcrowded plants can dampen the overall effect. But don’t worry! Just as you would divide or thin out land perennials, you can do the same with your aquatic plants.

5. Short in Front, Tall in Back

We know you’ve heard of this concept for out-dated hairstyles, but consider this for your water garden too! When it comes to positioning your plants, remember the golden rule: shorter plants in front, taller plants in the back. This clever arrangement ensures optimal visual impact, especially from your deck or verandah.

6. Group Pond Plants Together

Interior decorators have a secret for creating visual impact: grouping similar objects together. Apply this principle to your water garden by planting clusters of the same type of plant. Rather than dotting them randomly, line the edge of your pond with a row of Bacopa Monniera or other marginals. This strategic grouping adds cohesion and intensifies the overall beauty of your water garden.

7. Consider Each Plant's Needs

Take the time to understand the sun requirements and planting depth of your aquatic plants. Some plants thrive in full sun, requiring a minimum of six hours of unobstructed sunlight each day. Others may prefer a bit of shade or dappled sunlight. It's essential to know the specific needs of each plant to ensure their optimal growth and health.

Now that we've explored some key considerations for planting your water garden, let's talk about the mix of aquatic plant types we have available on our website. We suggest aiming for a diverse selection. Here are some plant categories to include:

• Marginal Plants: these grow in shallow water and are ideal for placing on pond ledges to create height, add colour and texture to your pond.
• Water Lilies and Lotus: The true stars of any water garden, water lilies and lotus plants bring elegance and tranquillity. With their floating leaves and stunning blossoms, they create a visual focal point.
• Oxygenating Plants: Don't forget to incorporate submerged plants that add oxygen to your pond. These underwater wonders, such as Anacharis or Hornwort, play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Remember, variety is the spice of gardening life. Don't be afraid to unleash your creativity and experiment with different combinations of plants. By doing so, you'll continuously reinvent your water garden and discover new delights year after year.

So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice embarking on your first aquatic adventure, remember these tips as you bring your water garden to life. Embrace variety, play with colours, and consider each plant's needs. With careful planning and a touch of imagination, you'll create a water garden that is both visually stunning and a source of peace in your backyard for years to come.