finally, a pond

After years and years of wishing and wanting a pond in my garden, 2009 is the year that wish has been fulfilled.  It's been a really exciting time ~ purchasing supplies, getting the digging done and finally filling it with water.  I really didn't know if I wanted a pre-formed pond or the "build it yourself kind" with a liner, etc.  I'm not even sure it mattered as long as I had one.  That decision was made in a snap when I happened upon a clearance sale at Lowes in January ~ one 125 gallon pre-formed "clover" shaped pond came home with me for the grand price of $22.00!!!    How can you beat a deal like that?  I figured even if (for some bizarre reason) water gardening didn't agree with me afterall, I wouldn't be out that much.  I knew exactly where it was going to go.  The low growing evergreens in my front garden bed would be removed to make way for more plants & the pond:

 

They were planted here when I purchased my home and I've never liked them anyway. It always seemed like a waste of valuable gardening space.   Out they came then the digging began.  I can't believe I never took a picture of that process but somehow I didn't.  Too caught up in the process, I guess!  The next time my camera came out was when the pond went in the hole:

 

Already it looks like it's been there for a long time!  We sit on our front flagstone patio most of the time in the summer so it's the perfect spot to really enjoy a water feature.  I couldn't install the pond without also including a way for the birds to enjoy it as well.  With that thought in mind, I added a birdbath (that sits above the water line) and will be continuously full thanks to the goldfish spitter:

The most expensive (and optional) part of the project was adding an electric outlet near the terraced garden wall to plug in the pump, (heater in winter) etc.  Although the "hard" work is done there are still decisions to be made.  Like what, if anything, to put around the rim ~ it almost seems like too much flagstone if I surround it with that?  So right now it sits while I ponder and check out my options.  Yesterday another thrill, I bought my first pond plant ~ a Tulbaghia violacea:

 

I removed the pot from the nursery pond to buy it then just brought it home and inserted it back in the water at my house.  I noticed my car had a strong garlic fragrance to it after the addition of the Tulbaghia so I did a little research.  Apparently Tulbaghias are in the garlic family ~ that explains that~ but the research perplexed me about whether it's intended to be a water plant or not??  Everything I read said this plant does well in drought conditions ~ the exact opposite situation its experiencing now.  Anyone know about them?  I really like the grassy foliage and the spikes of violet flowers:

 

You knew I wouldn't post without a macro, didn't you?!!  The flowers are so graceful and pretty ~ it's what I noticed first about the plant.  Long blooming (thru the summer) so that is nice and the foliage is edible.  If I'm looking for a little garlic flavor in my salad I can go out and snip a few leaves!  here's another close-up of a bloom stalk unfurling:

 

Oh, I forgot to mention ~ if you scroll back up to the first Tulbaghia photo (that includes the foliage) you'll notice a spot of orange in the birdbath ~ a robin was taking a bath while I was taking the photos.  It makes me happy to see the pond is already contributing positively to the wildlife in my yard.  Also, I'm absolutely open to advice if anyone has any ~ this is all so new, I'm sure there will be much fun and many questions along the way.

PS  We ended up with 4 1/2" of rain!  Pretty amazing for us but I'm so glad to see the sun again today.

Comments

[Nancy Bond]

Kathleen, your little pond is lovely! And the addition of the bird bath just makes it that much nicer. :) I don't think you need anything around the edge of your pond...or I'd at least wait to see how your plants fill in. :) Well done, and what a great buy!

[Gail]

Wonderful and exciting news! What a great deal on the preformed liner....way to power shop! You know you did a smart thing when the birds give you a vote of confidence! I love the plant and the macro shot! You have helped solidify my decision to get a water feature! I am thinking about the edges, why not a combo of plantings and rock. Are there small evergreen plantings that are not aggressive in your plant zone? Thank you! Gail

[tina]

I love that birdbath in the pond. What a great idea! And to have robins already? Awesome. I say with the garlic plant, if it doesn't do well in its spot, it is a simple thing to move it out. I had to do this with cannas one year. Supposed to be happy in water, mine were not.

[Frances]

Hi Kathleen, your little pond is already giving you and the wildlife pleasure, what more could you ask for? I am curious about the plant though, for if it is Society Garlic, that is a xeric plant, not a water plant. Maybe someone had put it in the tub by mistake? Or they put it there to water it? I have to question it, it is barely hardly here in zone 7 also, if that is the same plant.
Frances

[Joy]

Oh my god Kathleen !! .. that is so cool you have a pond now and at what a price you paid for the structure ! .. I love that you have the birdbath in the middle there .. the birds really enjoy their BATHS girl ! .. You will be mesmerized for a very long time .. we had one in Holland in our private courtyard and we LOVED it : ) I know you are too happy to believe .. ENJOY IT girl !!

[Anna/Flowergardengirl]

Oh goodness, so you don't know if it's a water plant or not? I'm afraid for its life ;). You'll have to keep us posted on the whole ordeal.

The pond is a good size for you and the wildlife. I like to hear the water splashing from the birds and the fountain. Did you mention fish?

$22 is a steal.

[cindee]

What a great deal on the pond!!! Sometimes there are good deals out there!! It looks great in the ground there. I love that the robin is already using it too! Something to think about too. You will need to clean it out at times so if you do plant around it make sure its something that is easy to get around so you can access the water(-: Just a thought! Have a great evening!
CiNdEeS' GaRdEn

[Racquel]

That's a great deal you got on the pond Kathleen and I love the shape of it. Good job on the digging & removing of unwanted plants. That is the hard part I know. I'm sure your feathered friends will be happily splashing their hearts out daily. :)

[Catherine/gardenerprogress]

It looks great. I love the birdbath idea! You will have so much fun with it, and the birds sure found it fast! I don't know anything about that plant, but like Tina said you can always move it out. If you did try flagstone you can easily move it if you need to clean it. Have fun!

[Marnie]

I wondered what that splash of color was, I'm glad you told us it was a robin. I can see him now that I know what I'm looking at.

Your pond is off to a good start. That was a wonderful bargain!
Marnie

[Tyra]

congratulations Kathleen, it looks great and I can almost here the lovely sound of the water. I pond is really a great feature in the garden, I have been wishing for one too.
Beautiful macro :-)

xoxo TYRA

[Robin]

What a great deal on the pond! The birdies are gonna love you for that!

[Shady Gardener]

Kathleen, I'm so happy for you! I hope I can add a little more water this year. But, if not, maybe later. I can't put in a pond, although I have a little one in the rafters of the garage (from our other place. The new people didn't want it - can you imagine?) ;-) At any rate, we get SO many leaves ever Fall and Spring. But, if it comes to fruition this year, I'll be posting! :-)

[Northern Shade]

Your pond is already fitting into the space, and will be fun to plant. It will be fun to watch the water and wildlife. The bird knew just where to go for a good splash.