| We love small water gardens in a big way | | | | If using clay or porous ceramic vessels |
| and whilst designing water gardens for | | | | then we suggest using a suitable |
| small containers we find the greatest | | | | waterproof resin to seal the walls. We |
| pleasure. We have learned over the years | | | | normally add two coats and is ready for |
| that even the smallest of containers can | | | | your small water gardens to be planted |
| be turned into water gardens to be proud | | | | within 24 hours. |
| of. It certainly makes a pleasant change | | | | Use pond plants that have contrasting |
| from the large water gardens that we are | | | | shapes to create appealing compositions. |
| used to designing for our clients. | | | | Small water gardens cupped in a |
| Small water gardens allow you to get up | | | | container or basin is a thing of |
| close and personal with the foliage of | | | | miniature beauty. The reflections are |
| the aquatic plants, their flowers and | | | | always a pleasant presence in any |
| the tiny inhabitants that nature just | | | | garden, but dressing it up with plants |
| loves to supply. they are tremendously | | | | only adds to the dynamic. this is why we |
| easy to install and if it doesn't come | | | | use plants that contrast both in height, |
| up to scratch the first time it is far | | | | width and colours to complete the |
| easier to dismantle a small water garden | | | | display. |
| and rebuild it more to your liking. | | | | A few small floating plants such as |
| Small water gardens normally consist of | | | | water lettuce or water hyacinth also |
| a collection of submerged, potted pond | | | | help the smaller water garden by |
| plants so redesigning is as simple as | | | | filtering out harmful nitrates that tend |
| moving the pots around into differing | | | | to turn the water green if not kept in |
| positions. You will also find that the | | | | check. We also tend to add a small pond |
| plants themselves are very difficult to | | | | pump to keep the water fresh and |
| kill and even easier to maintain. For | | | | vibrant. |
| us, small-container water gardens have | | | | The first mistake learner water |
| been an endless source of inspiration. | | | | gardeners make is jamming too many |
| And once you've mastered a small | | | | plants into their small water gardens. |
| container, think what you can do in a | | | | Though a half barrel-sized container |
| big water garden. | | | | easily accommodates up to four plants |
| Anything that can hold water can contain | | | | potted in pots and a host of floating |
| a water garden with the first step being | | | | plants, there is no need to use that |
| to choose a suitable container. Even | | | | many. An overcrowded container often |
| pots with holes do not pose a problem as | | | | results in designs that are chaotic. |
| they can be filled with silicone sealant | | | | Keep it simple.especially when you're |
| or an appropriate cork. We find that the | | | | starting out, it's easiest to make |
| widely sold half barrels are the best | | | | pleasing small water gardens with only |
| containers for small water gardens, | | | | two or three plants. As you gain |
| However, the small problem of wine or | | | | experience, you can progress to more |
| vinegar seeping into the water must be | | | | complicated compositions using greater |
| remedied first. A small pond liner or | | | | numbers and varieties of plants. |
| plastic container will suffice. | | | | |