Water in the Landscape: From the Elaborate to the Simple Jen Bowry Dale Cruzan Karen Roudabush

Topics for Tonight Fountain/Pond Maintenance through the Seasons Considerations for Fish Water Plants and Their Care Incorporating Water Features Beyond the Traditional Fountain – Rain Gardens

Water Garden Considerations Location – 6 to 8 hours of direct sun – Most level site possible – Away from tall shrubs and trees -Viewed from the house -Relationship with existing landscape - Easy access to water and electricity

Caring for Your Fountain: Spring Clean out debris Remove fall netting Cut back dead or decaying parts of water garden plants

Caring for Your Fountain: Spring Look for disease problems in fish Clean filters Check electrical equipment for problems

Caring for Your Fountain: Summer Most growth occurs in the summer Clear out the algae – Algae that is long and in strings can be picked out. Check the water levels Check the water pH and cloudiness

Caring for Your Fountain: Fall Pond starts to cool Place fall netting over pond – Prevents larger leaves and twigs from falling into pond Only feed fish on warm days Divide up bog plants

Caring for Your Fountain: Winter Turn off fountains and waterfalls Make sure filters are clean Bring tropical plants into the house

Container Ponds Excellent way to experience water gardening without a large commitment. Require full sun for at least 5 hours daily Spot that is shaded in mid- to late-afternoon is ideal. Keep them away from overhanging trees Have easy access to water

Creating Your Splendid Garden Container must hold at least 4 gallons of water Plants will not overwinter in an above- ground container When using city water, be aware of chlorine content

Containers Whiskey Barrel – Line barrel with plastic since wood may contain something harmful to plants and fish Galvanized horse trough Glazed pottery Claw-foot bathtub

Water Plants and Their Care Deep Water plants Floating plants Submerged or Oxygenators Emergent Bog plants

Submerged/Oxygenators Wild Celery (Vallisneria sp.) – Ribbon-like – Translucent, pale-green leaves – Will grow in shade, part- shade and sun – Water that is 6– 24 in deep

Submerged/Oxygenators Anacharis (Egeria densa) – Whorls of deep green leaves – Occasional white flowers – Water 12 in-10 ft deep

Emergent Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) – Mixed blue flowers in June – Grass like foliage – Tolerate full sun to part shade – Grows from 24 –30 inches tall – Potted plant placed 3 to 6 inches below water surface

Emergent Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus isocladus) – Green grass like foliage with "starburst like" flower-heads that turn brown in the fall – Tolerates sun to part shade – Grows 12 – 18 in tall – Potted plant placed 3 to 6 inches below water surface

Floaters Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) – Popular floater with long, trailing roots, – Balloon like petioles – Spikes of pale lavender flowers – Zone 9 plant Brought in to winterize

Floaters Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) – Velvet, blue green leaves – Forms a rosette of foliage that looks like leaf lettuce

Caring for Fish Maintain ecosystem balance Wait 4-5 weeks after planting to introduce fish A good rule of thumb is to use 1-2 inches (length) of fish for every square foot of water surface

Caring for Fish Gambezi are effective at controlling mosquitos by feeding on the larvae. – They are black fish that provide entertainment by flipping and jumping. – They may even reproduce in water gardens. – Over winter, keep them in an aquarium as they will not survive in a container garden. Guppies will thrive in a small garden. Koi or goldfish are not recommended for a small water garden, as they can not tolerate the extremes in temperatures and gas.

Caring for Fish Acclimate fish to pond life by floating them in a plastic bag in the pond for minutes. Fish will feed on algae and plants, but some people enjoy feeding them.

Subtle Uses of Water Features

Benefits of a Rain Garden are beautiful and easy to incorporate into your yard conserve water reduce standing water in your yard reduce mosquito breeding

Benefits of a Rain Garden survive drought seasons create habitat for beneficial bugs, birds and butterflies come in all shapes and sizes that let your creativity blossom!

Rain Garden Plant Selection Tolerant of occasional flooding and dry periods Noninvasive species Variety of species Variety of plant heights

Rain Garden Construction A rain garden's purpose is to catch rain water with its plants and soil. Install plants in proper moisture zones. Plant in groups of 3-5 of the same species. Taller plants should be planted near the center. Plant according to plant’s mature size.

Maintaining a Rain Garden Add 2-4 inches of mulch to a newly planted rain garden. – New mulch should be added each fall, as needed. – Lightweight mulch should be avoided Trim dead, diseased, or damaged plants immediately. Water during dry periods – 1 inch of water per week is recommended.

Final Thoughts