Designing a Low Maintenance Water Feature - Part 1

Discussion in 'Gardening For People With Disabilities' started by LowiePete, Aug 31, 2015.

  1. LowiePete

    LowiePete Gardener

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    Hello Folks,

    After a bit of an absence, I'm back again. After the success of the Art Deco
    raised bed out the front, it was time to tackle a fair bit of the back garden.
    The object of the exercise was have a largish water feature that would
    cover a fair area.

    The biggest problem with this project was that my back garden has a
    gentle but continuous slope. So, a bit of ingenuity was required. I
    happened upon a fibreglass cascade that was up for sale at a much more
    reasonable cost than the real asking price as it had been used as a demo.
    Seeing it in action sealed the deal for me.

    The initial design of this project was sorted over 3 years ago and involved
    dismantling and rebuilding my shed on the other side of the garden and
    placing it on much better foundation blocks. The major works, digging out
    an old eucalyptus tree root and the main pond came next. The cascade
    was laid on temporary blocks and the catch pond dug. Then came laying
    the path, which had a huge gap which was left to be bridged at some point.

    More than three-quarters through, I'm abandoned by my builder. So for
    3 years I've had a water feature that was only partially operative. I needed
    to weigh down the cascade with heavy blocks to prevent it being lifted
    skyward by the wind. The gap in the path got temporarily covered with a
    sheet of marine plywood, which eventually rotted and became risky to use.

    This year I've secured the services of another garden builder and the
    cascade has finally been secured, a retaining wall built behind it in which
    to place soil for edge-concealing plants, and the path relaid with no step
    at the end and no bridge in the middle.

    The following photos show where we are right now with nature left to take
    its course and hide the odd hard-edges.

    This photo shows the base of the cascade as it falls into the catch pond,
    seen from the West side. What I like most is the grass through which it
    is seen. The wind gives it movement too, which is a thrill to watch...
    [​IMG]

    The path now bridging over the catch pond, with no dodgy gap...
    [​IMG]

    Looking over the cascade base, from the East side...
    [​IMG]

    Okay, some very hard edges to disguise here. Pittosporum as an evergreen
    and in three different varieties potentially come to the rescue. The pad of
    bare soil seen top right has been sown with wildflower seeds...
    [​IMG]

    A Fatsia growing in the container, with the catch pond drain pipe carrying
    water to the main pond. There's still some work to do here, with disguising
    the pipe and providing a resting perch, from which to enjoy the sound of
    the circulating water...
    [​IMG]

    The pond weed here will need some thinning out. It presents a barrier to
    allow creatures that don't like moving water to flourish, yet still receive
    a source of refreshed water...
    [​IMG]

    I'll let the remaining pictures speak for themselves...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Part 2 will have 10 more pictures...

    Regards,
    Steve
     
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      Last edited: Aug 31, 2015
    • LowiePete

      LowiePete Gardener

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      Designing a Low Maintenance Water Feature - Part 2

      The choice of plants was fairly careful because I don't want to be fishing
      out rotted leaves from the ponds. What I also wanted was a variety of
      colour and some movement, particularly as the cascade only runs for
      about 4 hours a day over an 8 hour period.

      Hopefully, with the flowering plants, there will be something in blossom
      at most times of the year

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      My rhubarb patch is vital! The root came from a neighbour now deceased.
      He got it from his father over 50 years ago from roots that have been in
      the family for probably over 120 years! I hope his son has been able to
      perpetuate this into his family. It has the most strawberry taste of any
      rhubarb I've eaten...
      [​IMG]

      The dog's run is in the background. I've planted mile-a-minute and chocolate
      vines to help disguise the wire mesh. The light is 12 volt LED...
      [​IMG]

      These last 6 images give an idea of what the progress so far looks like
      from indoors as I look out of my porch...
      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      Regards,
      Steve



       
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        Last edited: Aug 31, 2015
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        That's a bit different to the raised bed Pete. :dbgrtmb: May I suggest and is it feasible to grow a climber on the shed to hide the bareness?
         
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        • LowiePete

          LowiePete Gardener

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          Thanks. This project was a lot more difficult to achieve than the raised
          bed! With the cascade now firmly in place I can place some soil along its
          edge. I've been wondering about the shed; I could easily attach a trellis
          and plant a climber. With it facing ENEast what would you suggest? I'd
          like something that flowers for a month or two and has flowers dotted
          about, rather than all just across the highest points...

          Regards,
          Steve
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            I'll have a think about climbers Pete, ENE is not the best situation but it can be done. :)
             
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            • Apple Blossom

              Apple Blossom Total Gardener

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              Hi @LowiePete your water feature looks really great and I bet it is lovely sitting in the area listening to the cascading water. I just love a plant that you have in your pictures which looks like a red tipped grass.... may I be as bold to ask what it is? I'm in the process of completing a pond myself and would just love to introduce that type of colouring :)
               
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              • LowiePete

                LowiePete Gardener

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                Hi, it's Japanese Blood Grass - bought as a huge great pot for 20quid and
                divided into 4.

                Regards,
                Steve
                 
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                • Sheal

                  Sheal Total Gardener

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                  Here's some climbers to have a look at Pete. :)

                  Clematis Alpina
                  Clematis Macropetala
                  Honeysuckle
                  Lapageria Rosea
                  Akebia
                  Tropaeolum Speciosum
                   
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                  • Apple Blossom

                    Apple Blossom Total Gardener

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                    Thank you for the info.... I'll have to look out for that one when I'm ready to get the plants for around my pond..... I just love how it adds character to the area. Not a bad price for such a stunning colour :)
                     
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