The pond for the water garden was originally dug in the spring of 1981, and is on level 4 of the garden, which is not quite the lowest level. It began life as a small pond, of an informal shape, approximately 3 metres long by about 1.5 metres wide, and was about .75 metres deep at its deepest point. It was made using a plastic liner and edged with sandstone rocks which were dug up from the garden. After a few years, another pond was dug next to it, of a similar size, with a wooden bridge over the two ponds, where they came together. The bridge helped to disguise the fact that there were two separate ponds, and it looked like one big one!

A few years later, the first pond sprang a leak, caused, we think, by an airgun pellet fired by someone from the public footpath which runs along the bottom boundary of the garden. Although this seemed like a disaster at the time, it was actually a wonderful opportunity for a complete overhaul of the pond. We removed the bridge (which was extremely slippery when wet), and combined both ponds into one, at the same time making the area larger. The pond now measures approximately 8 metres in length, and approximately 2 metres wide at its widest point. It is slightly wider at one end than the other, and is an informal, roughly kidney shape. It is now edged on three sides by sandstone rocks, and on one side with brick edging, which borders a gravel walkway where there is a bench to sit on and admire the fish as they dart about in the sun (when we get any sun, that is!).

There is a bubble fountain at one end, and a water pump water feature about mid-way along, and these give added movement and interest. There is no filter system, as once the balance is right between oxygenating plants and water surface, there is no need for a filter as the water remains crystal clear, except for a week or so in the spring when the sunlight activates the algae which live in the water, and it turns the water green. This disappears as the daphnia and other water creatures devour the extra algae and reproduce rapidly.

The pond is full of natural wildlife such as smooth newts, frogs, toads and various water beetles, as well as containing fish - namely goldfish, shubunkins and one Ghost Koi (called "Cod"!), and is visited by dragonflies and damselflies in the summer. (In spite of numerous frogs, toads and newts in the garden, the slug population still seems to be increasing!) It also has visits from a few members of the local Mallard population, usually in the spring, and a Heron, usually in the winter!

One area adjacent to the pond has been planted up to look like a bog garden, although it isn't! The soil dries out as much as the rest of the garden in the summer, although it is shadier. This means plenty of watering to keep the plants looking lush and healthy-looking in dry spells. Some of the plants I have used in this area include, Astilbe, Gunnera manicata, Equisetum hyemale, Hosta, Ferns in variety, Primula species, Bamboo species, Iris ensata, Iris pseudoacorus variegata, Persicaria, Azalea and Juncus.

Below are some pictures of the pond and its inhabitants, (both plant and animal), and I will be adding to these as more pictures become available. Hope you enjoy them!

This is a view of the pond, looking towards the north-facing border. This shows the bamboo feature which was made in August 2000. It gives interest to what was a bit of a boring patch. Just visible in the top left-hand corner is Gunnera manicata, a huge perennial which looks really tropical, although it's quite hardy. The red-flowered plant in the centre-right of the picture is Persicaria amplexicaulis, which flowers really well in shade.

This is a view in the opposite direction from the picture above. Here's Toby peering at the fish - he just fancies a bit of fish for his supper, and wishes one would jump into his mouth!

This view, taken from behind the bamboo feature, is looking across the pond towards level 3 of the garden. The Gunnera manicata can be seen in the background on the right, and the pump water feature is towards the top left of the picture.

A close-up of the bamboo feature. This was made from two pieces of 10cm diameter x 3m length bamboo, which were cut to varying lengths. These were placed in an upright position, and partially buried into the ground for stability. It's important to put the bamboo in "upside down", otherwise it continues to draw water up through it, and turns black and mouldy - not a pretty sight! To find out which way up to put the bamboo, you need to look closely. There will be rings around it at intervals up the stem, and from these rings there should be the remains of what were shoots. If you "plant" the bamboo pieces with these shoots facing downwards, then the bamboo will not draw up water from the soil. Around the base I have placed some large stones, interplanted with ferns, grasses and Primula beesiana. Once these plants have established themselves, this should look good. The stones were all dug up from the garden, and there's plenty more where they came from! Just to the left of the feature is one of the low-voltage lights which are also in other parts of the garden.

In case you're viewing this in the middle of a heatwave - here's one to cool you down! Snow in December 2000 forms lovely shapes around the rims of the bamboo feature.

Below are some of the plants which grow in or around the pond.

This is Caltha palustris 'Alba' (Marsh Marigold), a lovely marginal plant which flowers in March and April. It's one of the first water plants to flower, and really brightens up the pond.

Orontium aquaticum (Golden Club) is another early flowerer which starts in March or April, and continues flowering on and off for the whole summer. This is a water plant, which grows in a basket submerged about 1ft under the water.

This is the native King Cup, Caltha palustris, which also flowers in March and April. It can grow quite big when happy, and has huge rounded leaves, rather like a Ligularia. This grows as a marginal plant, in a basket.

This is Carex elata 'Aurea', 'Bowles's Golden Sedge', a lovely sedge which grows well in water, or in damp or boggy soil. Mine is growing in water, and is in flower in the picture, which was taken in May 2001.

Waterlily 'James Brydon' has lovely deep pink flowers, and usually flowers from around the end of May to October and beyond if the weather is mild.

This is Luzula sylvatica 'Taggart's Cream', a beautiful wood-rush which grows around the pond. It likes a moist, shady position. In the spring, the new growth comes in this beautiful creamy yellow, and this fades as the year progresses to a lime green. Stunning!

One of the many frogs which inhabit the pond. These come in all sizes, and many variations in colour!

Dainty Damselflies are frequent visitors to the pond, mainly in July and August. They are much smaller in size than the larger Dragonflies, which also inhabit the pond.

Pond skaters are often seen skidding across the surface of the water in short bursts. They are so light that they do not penetrate the surface tension of the water, which supports them.

There are lots more pictures of the garden and plants in flower, (including water garden plants), on the Garden Diary pages - have a look!!