I live in Houston, TX. The waterfall pond was put in almost 10 years ago now and is constructed of moss rock with the pond area cemented in. The water is circulated by a pump that is under one of the outside rim rocks. It is a Big John submersible sump pump made by Little Giant Pump company. I think you can get these at Lowes. It is an electric pump, so there must be access to electricty. The waterfall pond cost around $2000 I think, ten years ago. It was part of a big project in the backyard that included replacing the driveway, enlarging the patio, and landscaping, so my memory is a little foggy. Now, the problem with out setup is that it needs emptying and cleaning every month (or six weeks if you aren't too fussy about clean water). We use a pump to empty out the pond, plus a yard vac, then spray chlorox on areas that look like they need it. It takes an hour or two to do all this before refilling. We usually just empty it over the winter. It is pleasant to hear the water, and nice to look at, so all in all a worthwhile addition to the back yard. Hope this helps.

Pure guess here. I'm in zone 4 meaning - our low temps reach -34 to -29C or -30 to -20F, in zone 6 low temps reach -23 to -18C or -10 to 0F. Using just plants, and NO MORE fish, you may achieve somewhat clear water eventually. If you have decided that you want clear water, fish and some plants, I would think you'll need some type of filter. As I said, you can go on-line or to a pond store and buy kits with everything you need. Or you can easily construct your own for alot less $$. Check out the Skippy site below. I made my own, the 1st one was a 1/2 whiskey barrel and kept my 300ga pond very clean. I now have a 60ga variation of a skippy/veggie filter without all the big drains etc. It would probably keep a 500 ga pond crystal clear. Most of these filters are easily modified to make a small waterfall or brook feeding back to the pond...for example... someone here (search skippy filters) made a beautiful one with a 1/2 barrel and an old hand pump pouring water out into a stream. This is my very simple skippy type filter (early spring, a month later you can barely see it 'cause the plants have grown, see below... (it also needs more rocks to hide the plastic). Oops, actually this is now my 60ga stock tank skippy/veggie filter (on the right) about 2 months into the growing season, also needs some rock work to cover the plastic, and now another month later you can't even see the tank for all the overgrown water cress. The 1/2 barrel skippy is farther back , filtering my 2nd pond. Most people use liner to created their waterfalls, mine happen to be ugly preforms for now :) BTW, that's my dwarf Sioux waterlily in the front pond with it's 1st bloom, the pond is 5'x5'x28". Probably one of the best way to get rid of green water is a "pre-filter" around your pump (if it's submerged). Simply set your pump in a bucket in the pond and wad some quilt batting around and over it, or if the pumps too big for a bucket just wrap the intake with quilt batting. Change the batting frequently until the water clears. The batting catches the algae particles. I do this for about 2 weeks each spring after I start my pond up. Some people change the batting daily, I do it about 2x's a week for 2 weeks, the maybe once a week for 2 weeks, then remove the batting and I'm done with the pre-filter for the summer. Results may vary! Whatever you decide, we can help you thru it. If you want specifics on mine you can e-mail me thru my member page. HEY, you guys, more suggestions!? Who's got the calculator? How many gallons is 11'x4'x2?' deep. Sarah (skippy site below, take it and make it your own, you don't need their bacteria, or their special media - pot scrubbers work great!. PS: I never clean mine:) Here is a link that might be useful: skippy site

Nice slideshow Elizabeth!..Your plants are BEAUTIFUL!!!..Thank you for sending!...Carmie

You know, I have no idea when I got that cactus but, I pretty am sure it was at the last trade that GGG hosted which, I believe was in 2007. It was so small, I was afraid to leave it outside for winter the first two years so it sat in the greenhouse. Last year I left it, in the pot you see, with a couple other plants to test their hardiness. Those that survived the cold and rain got good marks and are allowed to remain in my collection. I am tired of transplanting so many marginal and sub-tropicals each year and have decided to reduce my inventory to more hardy specimens. That Lizard's Tail(Saururus cernuus)is a naturally occuring(in the southeast) wetlands plant and considered to be invasive in certain areas although, quite easily managed in one's garden. It has taken four years to create a small stand of a dozen or so plants from a single plant. Not what I would call aggressive. Crepping Jenny does fine in our full sun and 90°+ temps. I water a lot so, I don't notice much wilting in the afternoon. The Flame Azelea is a "Rescued Plant" from a construction site on top of Burnt Mountain in Jasper, Ga. Several color variations grow wild there. It blooms well for a few weeks and then fades. The blooms fall of as they mature. I have it planted under the canopy of a large Red Oak in almost pure compost mixed with masonry sand. The Yarrow is a super close up. The camera lens was maybe four inches from the plant which, gives a deceptive appearance to the size of the flowers. I like the close ups because you see more of the structure of the flower, like the wishbone stamens in the Torenias which are commonly named 'Wishbone Flower' for this reason. I have all three colors of Yarrow together in one location. The Torenia have become one of my favorite annuals because they tolerate a good deal of shade but, can take full sun in pots as long as they remain somewhat moist(but more tolerant then Begonias and Impatiens). I am currently looking for the white variety in stores to fil in a dark area in a mostly shaded spot that only sees the sun after 5:00. Your Butterfly 'bushlet' is taking a rest in the greenhouse awaiting for a spot to be determined. I don't like transplanting some items from trades imediantly that look like stress could do them in. It has been too hot and I am going on vacation for a week and can't depend on it being left on it's own. Also, I am wary to put it too close to the 'Honycomb' Buddleia since, it is now about 5 feet across and 7 feet tall, and must choose wisely where it will have the room it will eventually require. I want the two close but, not intertwined and plan to use them as screening from neighbors. Hope that answers ALL of you questions.