Choosing a Style of Garden Pond
The cooling, relaxing presence of water is always desirable in the garden, whatever the scale. Pond building was my first contribution to the garden at home and it is a great way to encourage a childhood interest in natural history and gardening. A plastic pond only 4×2 feet nestling in the corner by the shed was later replaced by a more sophisticated kidney-shaped design, but both provided hours of enjoyment.
Choosing a style of pond
Ponds ate available preformed from fiberglass or plastic, or you can create your own design using a flexible liner. Preformed ponds are available in formal and informal designs. Fiberglass is more expensive than plastic, but it is tougher and has a lifespan of ten years or more. Flexible liners are ideal for informal ponds and can be cut to fit any shape or size. Butyl rubber is hard wearing and long lasting with a life expectancy of up to 50 years. It is expensive, but worth the investment. PVC, available in a range of dark colors, is of moderate strength and longevity; it is usually guaranteed for ten years. Plastic sheeting should be avoided; it cracks and perishes in sunlight and is better suited to bog gardens.
At the time of writing there is growing interest in creating swimming ponds, where human and aquatic life share a habitat filtered by marginal plants that absorb the nitrogen and grow in sediment-free and nutrient-free substrate. They have appeared at England’s Hampton Court Flower Show, and the Swiss and Austrians have been indulging in them for decades.
Aquatic plants
Plants are essential to the success of your pond, as a wildlife habitat, to oxygenate the water and discourage algae and, if you are operating on a larger scale, to provide a hiding place for voracious herons! Plants also ensure that the pond harmonizes with the surrounding garden. As far as color is concerned, bog gardens should be considered as an essential element of your garden design and the gardening year. Pond plants fall into four main categories: marsh and bog plants flourishing in the wet ground beside a pond; marginals growing in shallow wated 6 inches deep or more; plants for deeper water with leaves that float, like water lilies (the depth of water each tolerates varies and will be shown on the plant label); and those that simply float. Ensure that there are adequate planting ledges around your pond for a decent display; you have more control when creating a pond to your own design using a flexible liner.
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