Earlier this year I started taking pictures of my pond around mid month to show what's happening around and in it. It's been a great way for me to notice things happening that I otherwise probably wouldn't notice. When you see something everyday you don't always see the subtle changes happening.
The water lily pads are yellowing and not many new ones are appearing, a sign of fall in the pond. A lot of the foliage on the pond plants are beginning to die back. My poor mini cattails were beat up by the raccoons and so never formed catkins this year. I need to repot it in a bigger container weighted with rocks.
This is a new water garden container I just put together this week. I bought these plants, Miniature Golden Sweet Flag 'Minimus Aureus' (Acorus gramineus), thinking they would like growing along the damp side of the pond, only to realize there isn't space. Oops. I like them in the container better anyway.
Hardy fuchsia which hangs over the pond. Every once in awhile an idea I have in mind really works the way I imagined. I love the idea of plants hanging over the edges of the pond to soften the rock edging.
'Sioux' has slowed way down with the flowers.
Blue Pickerel Weed has more blooms coming which surprised me.
Amazing to see the difference in lighting that really shows between this picture and the first in this post. The "sun" or bright area under the clouds was behind me. Here the picture is taken through the new Japanese Blood Grass 'Red Baron' (something I've been admiring on Frances' blog lately) is a hint of what was planted in the new area behind this space that I've been working on this week. Lots of digging and moving plants around.
The plantings around the pond are still looking pretty good, although the growth has slowed down quite a bit. The apples are getting nice and red and more are ready to be picked. The fish are still very active and looking for food, but as the weather begins to cool they will spend more time at the bottom of the pond. The good part is that the birds are visiting the pond and feeders more right now. That's why I love this pond, there's always something going on around it or in it.
Hi Catherine. I'm still observing your pond for some ideas. I like what you've planted around the pond, as well.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures and great to see the progress of your pond.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine. You know I always love it when you post about your pond. It's been a source of inspiration for me this year. I agree there is always something going on around the water. That was why I wanted one so badly. Thanks for your encouragement about my lack of water blooms ~ I'll hope for a better show next year.
ReplyDeletePS That last photo is terrific!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine...I took my time looking at each of the plants/blooms surrounding your pond. The whole look is incredibly beautiful! The last picture says everything! Simply gorgeous combination of plants!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, I just left one of my favorite garden nurseries out in the country near our home. I thought of you among all those beautiful varieites of flowers! We have some of the golden sweet flag that was here when we moved in. Many of your other plants I'm not familiar with but they are so lovely in combination around your pond. Really lovely photos today.
ReplyDeleteThe more I see your pond the more I want a big one that is dug in too. I have a simple little cast iron tub that serves as my pond. I'll post a pic of a part of it on Monday but it in no way compares to this beauty; which looks great.
ReplyDeleteI have the 'Ogon' growing in a solid concrete basket. It was given away at one of my PPS meetings and I tell you it is great. It keeps water in the pot real well, but if it dries out it is not stressed and waits for me to fill it up. I love it so much. Yours looks great in your pot too.
Lovely as usual! The hardy fuchsia is gorgeous...I'm a little jealous of the raindrops......
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand pond. There is so much plant interest with color and form. Really nice!
ReplyDeleteI love the 'sioux' photo. A pond seems like too much work for me right now, so I'll just enjoy yours instead. Sound good?
ReplyDeleteEvery time you post a pix of your fuschias I drool over it. It is so beautiful!! I love your pond.
ReplyDeleteYou know that I am reading 'Snow falling on cedars'...you said you live near that area. RIght now in my book there is a giant snowstorm!! I am so thankful that it is still warm enough to be out and about.
I've loved looking at all of the pictures you post of your pond! It's so beautiful and peaceful and I love the plants you've surrounded it with!
ReplyDeleteYour pond looks lovely, with so many blooms. The Hardy Fuschia looks wonderful overhanging the pond's edge.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how different gardens around the country are. Been a long time since I've seen such a fantastic water garden, they are not a common sight here in the desert!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Catherine, just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ Another thing we have in common: I too like plants to weep over the pond's edge. :] I see you have a Lobelia cardinalis propped on the pond's edge too. Isn't it a great plant? I've been doing water bowls too. They can be quite eye catching as your Acorus is. I too am enjoying the slant of the sun and how it casts a softer glow upon the garden. Your bragging rights are well deserved.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteAll of the photos are great but the bottom one is quite a beautiful composition. Your waterlily has been a great bloomer this year and I don't I have ever seen such a large fuchia. That is a great red.
ReplyDeleteYou've done such a great job with your pond. So many beautiful plants!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo with the blood grass in the foreground is gorgeous!
I see you've been buying some grasses. I really like the color of that one.
That was a great nursery you visited. I'm pretty taken with heucheras too. They're lovely, aren't they? This summer I planted Peach Melba and Keylime Pie.
It is amazing how everything is always changing, and we hardly notice it, especially in a garden. Your pond is very attractive.
ReplyDeleteI need to go to a class to learn how to keep fuschia alive...Frances has me yearning for bloodgrass too. I don't know much about pond gardens but I do love to tour yours!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed. Making/Having a pond seems so intimidating to me. Yours is just beautiful! I especially love the fuschia hanging over it. Nice touch!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! You inspire me so much to set up a water garden. I've been tossing the idea for a long time now. You've shared all I need to set off. I loved your combination of plants. Golden sweet flag looks pretty.
ReplyDeletelovely pond. i am envious. water lily is awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou're spot on about getting plants to overhang a pond. They really make it look natural, like a dew pond
ReplyDeleteIs that fuchsia riccartonii?
Thanks everyone for your nice comments :)
ReplyDeleteRob - It's fuchsia magellanica, although I don't remember the name.
I have enjoyed watching the changes to your pond. Now that is what a Fuchsia is suppose to look like ;-) It does look so pretty hanging over your pond. I bet you hate to see the waterlilies go.
ReplyDeleteDoes your pond freeze in the winter or is it deep? I have to keep a little water heater in my tiny pond.
I've really enjoyed watching the progress of your pond. You're absolutely right about the water lily leaves - I hadn't really thought about them being a sign of autumn before. Mine are doing exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteI was also fascinated to read on one of your earlier pond posts about water hawthorn flowering earlier and later than the lilies. I'm definitely going to try it out next year to extend the season of interest - thank you!
I enjoyed seeing what's going on at your pond this time of the year. I like the part about the birds and other wildlife being attracted to it, except for the part about your cattails being stomped on.
ReplyDeleteYour pond looks great as it passes through the seasons. Yes, we do miss changes when we look at the garden spots everyday. I like photos as a sort of a photo journal of my garden. I look back and forgot it looked like that.
ReplyDeletewww.secretcottagegarden.blogspot.com