Introduction to Container Water Gardening

Water Gardening for Everyone

Water is one of the garden's most fascinating elements.

Whether a still pond reflecting surroundings or a gentle whispering fountain, it captivates old and young alike. Water gardening is no longer for large gardens and generous budgets—it's a pleasure affordable by all.

New materials—Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), fibreglass—revolutionized pool construction. Pumps and filters became simpler, smaller. No more large pumps and ugly pump houses for beautiful fountains/waterfalls. Just place a small, powerful submersible pump and switch on.

Such innovations enable smaller successful units—water features on tiny patios, courtyards, balconies, often with miniature aquatics. Water in garden or outdoor living space is truly within everyone's reach. Container water gardens are fashionable, immensely varied, practical, low-maintenance—ideal for busy people. They provide instant effect, often portable, though plants take time to mature.

Outdoor container water gardens have limited winter appeal. Unlike extensive ponds arranged to look good when plants die back, containers lack sufficient open water surface for impact. Like tubs of flowering plants—spring/summer pleasure, often dismantled and stored in winter.

Advantage: versatility. Can be almost anything—celebration of moving water to cameo wildlife pool. Carefully chosen container becomes integral to design. The Dutch do 'mobile gardens'—contained features moved and changed at will. Plants grown in inserts, lifted and removed as they pass their best, replaced by fresh inserts with same or different plants for interest. Constant replacement makes mobile gardens novel and exciting, especially for gardeners with stark, barren yards/patios wanting quick transformation.

Container water features range from miniature waterscapes to geysers through washed pebbles. If a container holds water, it's a potential feature. Attractive ready-made features from garden centres achieve great sophistication with just a screwdriver and plug connection. DIYers find ready-made less satisfying; opportunities for unique features are legion.

Where space is premium and moving water desired, consider self-contained fountain kits—usually wall-mounted with bowl incorporating small pump, just add water. Range of fountains for indoor use alone or with additions outdoors. Great advantage: moving water without plants/fish, one of few features successful in shade.

Long history of small water features in Far East—oriental gardens rich inspiration, especially fountains. Millstones with bubbling water adapt traditional oriental idea; bamboo, fashionable in West, long used by Japanese in water features. Most popular: traditional deer scarer (shishi-odoshi)—amusing, decorative focal point.

Design Tip

Often a water feature forms the central focal point, surrounded by planters spilling colourful plants or subtle foliage in interesting shapes.