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Southwest Courtyard Pond in New Mexico: Water-Thrifty Design with Koi and Native Plants

Landscape architect Stephen K. Domigan designed a pinto bean-shaped pond (4 ft deep center, underwater shelf for aquatic plant containers) for a rear courtyard in Arroyo Seco, north of Taos.

Two biofilters keep water clean; two bubblers oxygenate for koi.
Recirculating pump feeds small waterfall on east side.
Evaporation: ~1 inch/week in summer—less than comparable turfgrass.

Surrounding Plantings (left to right)

Purple Russian sage
Hot pink ice plant
Evergreen Euphorbia myrsinites
White Datura inoxia
Blue mist (Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Longwood Blue')

DESIGN: Stephen K. Domigan Landscape Architect, Taos, NM (505/751-1561)

Landscaping: Cesspool-Smelling Large Pond: No Outlet = Stagnation Death; Build a Naturalistic Garden Pond in 10 Proven Steps; Winterize Your Water Garden: Pond, Plants, and Fish Care; Water Garden Safety: Protecting Kids, Pets & Fish; Create a Pond in a Bucket: Mini Water Garden Project; Southwest Gardeners' April Checklist: Desert Garden Tasks for Spring; Winter Pond Care: Pump Management, Ice Safety, and Fountain Storage; Trickle Fountain on Bainbridge Island: Hollow Columns with Planted Capitals and Drip Irrigation; Pond in Glass: A Tiny Water Feature for Any Space; A Slender Pond: Converting a Planter into a Raised Water Garden

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