 Trees really naturalize the look of a pond. They help provide shade for the fish and plants, giving them respite from our brutal Phoenix summer sun. They add to the general cooling effect of having a pond or water feature in your yard. They provide areas for native and migratory birds to hang and between drinks and baths and to serenade you with their pretty songs. And they provide shade for you to enjoy sitting next to your pond. But not all trees are appropriate for next to a water feature! Some have invasive roots that will seek out and destroy your pond. Some drop copious amounts of litter into your pond (which, if you have a skimmer basket isn't fatal, but can be a pain in the butt). Some grow in a manner that will heave your pond or water feature -- and maybe even your patio and walkways. And, no, the plant nursery won't always tell you these things. So, which ones are good, and which ones not so much?  Trees That Work Great Next to a Pond or Water FeatureAll trees drop debris. Having a skimmer on your pond is the easier way to deal with that, and you may have to empty it more often during some times of the year. And, frankly, most trees really should be planted 10' or so from the pond's edge to avoid issues. You can absolutely have it closer, and many people do; you may just need to be prepared to deal with a partial rebuild from time to time, depending on the tree's growth. If you want a tree next to your pond, here are some good choices:
 Trees to Avoid Next to a Pond or Water FeatureYou'll want to avoid planting any riprian tree within 20' of your pond because they tend to seek water. However, these trees are great in your landscape for attracting native birds to your yard, and tend to discourage the pesty birds like pigeons. Some examples of trees to avoid within 20' of your pond are:
 So, choose wisely, and enjoy having a personal backyard haven to decompress, de-stress, and simply enjoy! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: WHY BACKYARD PONDS HAVE HEALING POWER BACKYARD LIGHTING IDEAS HOME SCHOOLING WITH PONDS HAVE A POND WITH ISSUES?
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Container water gardening is a rapidly-growing garden hobby and provides a whole new opportunity for an exciting group of plants. Not to mention, you can even add small fish to your aquatic container, thereby creating your very own mini pond to enjoy without having to pick up a shovel. These mini ponds are fabulous for folks who don't have a whole lot of space, like condos and townhouses, etc. Plants are what makes your container water garden a garden. They add interest, texture, and a splash of color to the spot you choose for your mini pond. They also help keep the water clear of algae, while providing perching spots for birds that seek out the water. To make choosing plants easier, we’re sharing our list of favorite aquatic plants for mini ponds. And what’s more – you can add any of these plants to any pond, large or small!  Dwarf PapyrusCyperus isocladus Feathery heads on sturdy green stalks create a striking vertical element in container water gardens. Dwarf papyrus enjoys a little shade but can take full sun, too. Use this charmer as an annual in colder climates.  Parrot FeatherMyriophyllum brasiliense Feathery lime green foliage on vibrant red stems creates a mat that will spill over the edge of your container. It grows 3” to 4” tall and is a great choice for both small ponds and container water gardens. Place it in full sun to part shade. And keep it pinched back to make it grow fuller.  Pickerel RUSHPontederia cordata Add a bit of height and color to your mini pond with the impressive pink or purple pickerel rush plant. This easy-to-grow aquatic plant rewards you with bright blue flowers atop lush green foliage. Prefers full sun to part shade and grows 24” to 30” tall.  Taro, Green or BlackColocasia ‘Fontenessii’ Glossy green leaves on deep purple stems add a stunning effect to your container water garden. Each leaf is a work of art atop 36” high stems. Choose Taro when you want an especially tall plant for your container. Enjoys full shade in Phoenix. Available in standard green or black (pictured below).  Yerba MansaAnemopsis californica Looking for a smaller plant that blooms all summer? Look no further than this dainty white flower with a cone-shaped center. As they age, the flowers get pink spots. This plant is actually an Arizona canyon native plant. The Native Americans use it in a tea form to relieve digestive issues.  Water LettucePistia stratiotes Soft and velvety, this floating plant performs best in shady to partly sunny locations. Each “flower” sends out shoots to create more rosettes. If your container gets crowded, simply thin them out.  Helvola WaterlilyNymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’ Helvola is the smallest of all the hardy waterlilies with delightful 2” to 3” star-shaped blooms and heavily mottled 1” to 2” pads. Prefers full sun to partial shade and blooms all summer long  This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these can get you started off on the right foot. Check out our page on pond plants for your backyard! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: CREATE A BACKYARD SANCTUARY WITH JAPENESE WATER FEATURES WHY BACKYARD WATER FEATURES HAVE HEALING POWER PONDING: KEEPIT SIMPLE, NOT STUPID READY FOR YOUR OWN BACKYARD WATER FEATURE?Beginning a landscaping project is the first step towards creating the outdoor sanctuary you have always dreamed of having. Japanese-inspired gardens offer a distinctive tranquility in all seasons. A lovely Japanese theme can be created through the strategic inclusion of Japanese water features. These water feature ideas can be applied to any outdoor space and add a soothing air of tranquility to your backyard garden. Fun fact: a "Zen Garden" does NOT include water. It is a "dry landscape" garden, usually relatively small, surrounded by a wall, and is meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden.  Japanese Water Feature Essentials Since Japanese garden design typically aspires to mimic natural growing conditions, Japanese water features are generally rustic or rough-hewn. However, like anything else in a planned garden, the rustic appearance is carefully cultivated. The following are the four primary features typically found in a Japanese garden:
 Japanese Ponds & Waterfalls Of the four primary water features included in traditional Japanese gardens, ponds and waterfalls are most likely to be found in backyard gardens. These features are very flexible in terms of size and design and are generally simple to create and install. Like any garden water feature, these require some basic maintenance. This is especially true of ponds with goldfish. Japanese goldfish, or koi, are kept healthy through regular pond upkeep. Koi pond maintenance needs depend in part on how large the koi fish are, how many are in the pond, and what additional plants and animals are present in the water feature.  OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: GREAT WATER FEATURE IDEAS BUILD A POND YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL ENVY SIX PONDS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE When you want to enjoy your water feature as the sun begins to set, be sure to add outdoor lighting. During Phoenix summers, it's pretty much the only time we can get outside without melting! Most people think to add landscape lighting around a deck or patio, but don’t neglect your water feature for optimal nighttime viewing! Here you’ll find pretty backyard lighting ideas for your pond, waterfall, or fountain. Adding underwater lighting to a pond helps you enjoy watching your fish swim at night. It’s almost magical watching them dart in and out of the lights.  Waterfall and pond lights add an ethereal glow to your water garden, creating a memorable moment during the evening hours.  For water feature owners, backyard lighting ideas include both pond and landscape lights. Underwater lights allow you to see fish in the evening, while garden path lights accentuate the architectural elements of terrestrial plants.  Underwater pond lights are a must for those with recreation ponds.  For a truly pretty effect add a waterfall light. You’ll find your water feature takes on a whole new look at night.  Water takes on a glowing effect when spilling over rocks. It’s easy to be mesmerized by this peaceful scene.  A small spotlight showcases a fountain in a front or backyard.  No matter what type of water feature you have, you can enhance its beauty well into the evening hours with the addition of pond and garden lighting. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: GREAT WATER FEATURE IDEAS CREATE A BACKYARD SANCTUARY WITH JAPANESE WATER FEATURES SIX PONDS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! Did you know there’s a scientific reason why a shower feels so refreshing? It’s the same reason why people flock to lakes, oceans, and waterfalls for vacations. Falling water from fountains, waterfalls, and even your morning shower releases negative ions into the surrounding atmosphere. And these ions have a profound effect on our physical well-being! When you’re in an environment where the concentration of negative ions is greater than positive ions, it will have a positive effect on your body, mind, and spirit. There’s an increase in blood flow and oxygen content to your cells; it lowers blood pressure and stabilizes respiration creating a calming effect. Increased oxygen content in your blood is critical for all metabolic functions which in turn effects your mood.  Hospital patients who have a view of natural landscapes recover faster from surgery and require less pain medication. In addition, heart rate, blood pressure, and other measures return to normal levels more quickly when people view natural rather than urban landscapes after a stressful experience. The Sustainable Sites Initiative. Standards and Guidelines: Preliminary Report.  It’s no secret that water features provide soothing sights and sounds that help you relax and de-stress in today’s busy world. Now more than ever, we need the healing effects that water provides. Whether you’re dealing with stress, illness, or simply wish to improve your overall outlook on life, consider adding a pond, waterfall, or fountainscape to your outdoor living space. Experts agree it can be extremely therapeutic!  As landscape architects and experts in healing garden design, we specify water features in most of our projects. We’ve had great success with using the Aquascape product line. Their natural pond systems fit perfectly into our design solutions and offer our clients a sustainable solution that adds a positive distraction to the healthcare environment. We also design water features in unusual locations like roof decks. Aquascape sculptural water displays add a nice balance to the healing garden aesthetic. Geoff Roehll, Senior Vice President, Hitchcock Designs Our patients and their families find peace and tranquility when visiting our beautiful water features. We receive a great deal of positive feedback on the addition of the water gardens to our facility. Even the staff and board members have found the water features to be beneficial for relieving stress and improving their daily outlook. Nancy Vance, Executive Director, Living Well Cancer Resource Center Ready to get your own piece of paradise?MORE POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
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