Pond gardening in a drought
Living in a drought for three years, now classified as “exceptional,” a gardener can get a little soul-weary. A still pond, I’m finding, has healing powers.
The surface may be starred with the most beautiful of flowers, the water lily. This one is ‘Colorado.’
Orange and red fish swirl under the leaves…
…adding color and life to the pond.
Red dragonflies ornament tall grasses, trusting the observer who leans in very slowly for a closer look.
The entire garden, still very much a work in progress, is good for the soul.
But in a drought and summer-long heat wave, water gardening lifts the heart. After all, a pond plant doesn’t get thirsty or wilt from lack of water.
A pond, no matter how humble, is visually refreshing—and a source of beauty and joy.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
So gorgeous! I love the goldfish and the water lilies. I even love the green water!
I do too when it’s only mildly green like this. I’ve seen it get so cloudy-green, though, that you couldn’t even see the fish. —Pam
Pam — Ahh, thanks for that refreshing drink of lovely water photos. The goldfish is adorable and the flowers are stunning. It’s the perfect thing for that spot and I loved seeing it from all the angles. You must be very pleased.
I am pleased with the pond, Diana. But now I really want to have the paving around it finished! There’s always another project. —Pam
very cooling and refreshing photos in the heat!
Thanks, Nicole. —Pam
Pam, this is an absolutely gorgeous post. I can almost feel myself relaxing just looking at your photos and reading your narrative. Just beautiful.
Thanks, Kylee. I’m glad you relaxing with me around the pond. —Pam
That first photograph – the look of the leaves on the water – is just beautiful! I’m sorry the drought is so terrible there – I read a bit about it recently, and it is so severe – I’m guessing a dip or two in the pool each day has to help (and I hope that you are jumping in!). You have made me so tempted to do an ‘above ground’ pond – but I really worry about snakes. I have so many as it is – have you ever found a snake in them?
I never found a snake in my old container pond, which I had for several years. However, that garden wasn’t in a very “snaky” part of town. The new garden probably is, so I’ll be on the lookout. But any snakes would be dry-land ones, not water snakes, I think. There aren’t any natural ponds or creeks nearby. —Pam
Beautiful!!! What great photography opportunities this new pond gives you!
Robin, you’d really love having a pond for that reason too. You are so talented at capturing wildlife on “film,” and they’re really drawn to a large water source. —Pam
It’s lovely Pam…and having this respite from the heat and drought is perfect. I love seeing how the pond relates to the pool and the yard. gail
Thanks, Gail. I have plans to better define the pond circle as its own room by putting metal arbors over each of the four paths that enter that area. —Pam
I am sure the continued heat and drought is very disheartening to you Pam. I hear the weariness in your words yet you gave us the most cool and refreshing photos to look at. I can see how the pond has keep your spirits afloat.
It really helps to “cool” down the garden in this heat, Lisa. I’m enjoying it tremendously, and so are the kids. —Pam
You are right in the healing aspects of water. Your images are refreshing and cool. Thanks!
You are very welcome. Thanks for commenting. —Pam
I’m so sorry about the drought. I’m glad you can find peace in your pond though. You must be home, and it’s nearly time for the kids to go back to school. Please tell them how much I enjoyed meeting them. They share your calm spirit and were so kind to let me tag along.~~Dee
I will tell them, Dee. It was very pleasant to share time with you in Mom’s garden and at lunch. I’m glad you were able to come. —Pam
Gorgeous photos! It was fun to see the pond from the view beyond the pool too. Your stock tank pond is my favorite thread in your posts. You’ve set me to dreaming of one here…
Love the water lilies. I enjoy the ponds in my garden here in Houston and often pick the water lilies to bring indoors. Many of the tropical water lily varieties are very fragrant and actually make pretty cut flowers in water that last 2-3 days. Thanks Pam for the lovely photos.
I love the pool! Oh, I want one too.
It does indeed look cool and refreshing, Pam. I love that Colorado water lily … wish I had room for one!
Nothing to compare to your heat but here in Portland we were at 103 yesterday and headed to 105 today and Wednesday…with no a/c! You’re pond and pool are the prettiest things I’ve seen in a couple of days!
I heard that it was really hot in Portland, Loree. I don’t think I could deal with it without A/C. I hope you’re back to normal soon. —Pam
Oh, I wish I had a water garden. I love those water lilies.
Your Water Lillies and fish are very beautiful.
Jake
Nice to see a view of the pond from the direction of the pool. And you are so right, water gardens seem especially tranquil and healing. Can’t imagine coping with the weather you folks are having. Our rainfall has been very scarce and scattered but no watering restrictions or real drought here (so far).
Pam is your swimming pool deck congrete edged in stone? I’m looking for ideas for my own.
Donna
concrete. I was thinking aggregate while typing.
Hi, MNGarden. Yes, uncut limestone forms the pool’s edge. It ties in with the limestone retaining walls nearby. —Pam