ponds and water gardens
Water holds a universal fascination for us on all levels, from the sublime to the purely practical. Every garden should celebrate water, in some fashion, be it a large lake or the smallest of wall fountains.
Working with ponds and water was my introduction to the world of gardens and landscape. In the late 1970's I worked for Anthony Archer-Wills, now a leading authority on water gardens, and was quickly submersed in lily pads, reeds, waterfalls, fish and bog plants. I've never been the same since!
I have spent many years building ponds and developing my own construction techniques. In particular, I was always dissatisfied with the industry-standard methods of liner-edge treatment. I believe you should never see pond liner, no matter how high or low the water level!
pond bio-filter
In the early 1990's I discovered reed bed filtration systems, then being pioneered as an ecologically sound alternative for sewerage treatment. Immediately I saw the relevance to the domestic garden pond and the benefits of healthy maintenance without resort to chemicals or regular clear-outs. All ponds I design (and occasionally still build) now incorporate biofilters as an integral part of the overall design - not a bolt on box.
Swimming ponds, of course, are an extension of this philosophy but I think ultimate use will come when we use ornamental ponds to clean up and recycle household “grey water”. When water becomes scarce or expensive, it will have to happen!
Water is the ultimate thing to calm and re-connect us with our deeper selves. It's also a great wow factor to any garden!
