Your Own Zen Getaway

A tranquil respite. An oasis away. Your own backyard.

Integrating Wood Into The Feature

I have always maintained that a crucial element missing from most ponds and overlooked by their constructors is wood. Polished and gnarled pieces adorn these falls giving a more complete and mature look.

Bigger Boulders Are Better

Strategically placed boulders inset into this feature lends a more realistic look. Pines were selected to accent the blonds and reds of the stone.

Rebuild In Progress

With the future stream bed notched out and rock staged the "fun" can begin. The following pictures briefly outline the process involved in installation.

Rebuilding The Stream

Construction requires patience and foresight with consideration given to the fish and plants that will go in last.

Finished Product

The final result tucked in nicely between the existing landscape. Not as easy as it looks!

Dual Streams

Drilled bubbling rocks serve as great fountain heads for seconday streams. While yet to be planted this dual river feature is well on the way.

A True Water Garden

This tranquil pond was built with the aim to accommodate many aquatic plants and to mirror nature in all her splendor.

Hidden in the cool shady depths, koi enjoy a respite from the summer heat.

A Rebuild Well On Its Way Again

Incorporating gnarled drift wood and lichen covered logs add a natural flare to the feature but are a bugger to haul out of the mountains!

Butterfly Milkweed

The choices of plants that will thrive in and around water is staggering. This butterfly milkweed will beckon both butterflies and hummingbirds.

Water Invites Life

A healthy and balanced pond invites all manner of wildlife to be enjoyed.

Working With Our Native Nature

Groomed and pruned, aspens and rug junipers compliment rather than compete with the pond and falls.

Freshly Finished

Newly planted, this backyard stream will be soon shaded with graceful bamboos and ornamental grasses.

Reflecting Pools (No Falls)

Dual pumps housed both in the bottom of the pond as well as in a skimmer box make for easy maintenance and inhibited algae growth. Note the water's clarity.

Before

Cosmetic rebuilds are frequent projects of mine. Here a rocky cess pool gets some TLC.

After

And voila! New life has been breathed in and the pond can now be enjoyed.

Happy Koi

A bubbling rock feeds a secondary stream making for an interesting focal point and some happy koi.

Stream With Bubbler

This lovely stream was installed with a drilled boulder at its head to serve as the source.

Cat's Tongue

Clumps of floating vegetation not only filter the water but add visual interest to the surface of the pond and provide valuable habitat to the inhabitants within.