Water Gardening

The cooling images of reflecting pools, and refreshing sounds of splashing water provide special appeal when used in desert gardens. Even small water features, such as barrel water gardens, can provide much needed psychological relief from our intense summer heat.

For gardeners, their's something a little to sterile about plain fountains and pools. But add plants, and a water feature becomes a new and interesting form of gardening. Add fish, and a water garden becomes a miniature biological ecosystem.

Water gardens have become increasingly popular over the past decade, so much so that supplies and plants are now widely available. Many local garden centers, fountain shops and home supply stores here in Tucson stock pumps, liners, and the more common water plants. Their are also an abundance of mail order sources for water garden supplies, many with Internet sites.

The easiest way to create a water garden is to make one from a lined wooden half barrel, or a lined in-ground pool. Advances made in pool construction materials make it both inexpensive and easy for the gardener to install a water garden pool. Today, most pool liners are constructed of polyethylene, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or butyl rubber. These flexible liners can be used to create almost any pond shape. Liners are available in several thicknesses ranging from 16-mil to 32-mil. Depending on thickness and exposure to sunlight, a 20-mil liner can be expected to last at least 10 years.

The most important planning decisions concern the water garden location, size and shape. To promote continuous flowering of aquatic plants, such as water lilies or lotus, a site should be selected which receives a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The location should also be clear of overhanging trees. An eastern exposure provides ideal conditions here in the desert. Morning sun promotes flowering while afternoon shade protects plants and water from overheating.

Accessibility to electricity and water is an important consideration. A pump for recirculating water is recommended and you may wish to include a bubbler or waterfall. Pumps will operate on normal household current.

Space in urban gardens is often limiting. Tub gardens made from wooden half-barrels are ideal for patios. The barrel should be a minimum of 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide. Water proofing is accomplished by lining the inside with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting available in home supply stores. Plastic inserts for barrels are also available from many water garden supply shops.

Small sunken (in-ground) pools can be also be constructed with minimal yard space. To prevent frequent fluctuations in temperature and ensure a biological balance, in-ground garden pools should have a minimum surface area of 40 to 60 square feet and a minimum depth of 18 inches.

Without doubt, water lilies are the center piece of any water garden. Members of the genus Nymphaea, water lilies are available in an array of colors and sizes. There are two kinds of water lilies: tropical and hardy. Hardy water lilies are perennials which grow from rhizomes. They are available in many shade of red, pink and yellow. In Tucson they will bloom from early spring to late fall. Individual flowers last from three to four days.

In addition to water lilies and lotus, marginal, floating and submerged plants add to the diversity of form and color in the garden. Bog plants such as semi-aquatic iris, dwarf papyrus, and Chinese water chestnut can be use to plant along the shelf perimeter of the pool. Submerged plants such as tape grass, cambomba, and water milfoil are oxygenators which keep the pond healthy.

When selecting water plants use simple combinations of small and large-leaved plants to create pleasing combinations. Plants growing under, on, and above the water surface also provide eye appeal and interest.

Water gardening is a fun and challenging way to grow plants. Spending time around a water garden can be a refreshing experience, and a great way to keep your gardening "cool" this Summer.

Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona, 520-626-5161.
Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on March 19, 2000
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