skip to main content

Ponds & Aquatic Plants

semi-formal pond??

16 years ago

Hi, I was wondering if there is such a thing as a semi-formal pond? Now I will try and explain why.

While we are in the process of developing our plan, our general theme for the yard(as the house)is betweeen formal and informal, and I am trying to figure out a way to incorporate a water feature into this scheme.

I live in an urban setting and the house is a Victorian and since the pond will be near the house, I'm not sure a natural sort of pond would look good here. On the other hand, we are not "formal" people and the site does not really lend itself to a formal pond (partly to mostly shade and nothing interesting to reflect). This leads me to wondering if I can create some sort of semi-formal pond that would look good.

The area in question is right outside my kitchen window, on the opposite side of our patio and below what will be a lawn area. I envision it to be a sort of secret garden, good for coffee (this is the only area that gets the morning sun)and "quiet time". Since there is a slope, I was thinking of building it into the hill with a rock retaing wall similiar to the other side, that would be at seat level.

Here is a link to some pictures of the area, it's pretty bad now, but I've got hope.

{{gwi:205068}}yard

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

sheepco
16 years ago
What potential that site has! I can see a terraced hillside with your pond set into the hill so you can sit on the lower edge! Lots of work, but if you survive I bet you'll love it and it will certainly add to the view! There are lots of good photos here to get ideas. Below are just a few to start with :)

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: I'll show you mine......
loma_ponder
16 years ago
goylesgirl,

Check out the link I included. With some plywood forms and creativity, it is doable. I would pick up a good source (book) on pond construction and look up as much as you can find on pond building into a slope.

One caution though: Plan / draw into your pond some sort of drainage at the bottom. I can see a possibility of too much water at the bottom when it rains in your neighborhood (drinking coffee in shin deep water).

Here's my pond.
{{gwi:195601}}

LP

Here is a link that might be useful: Making Rock features with cement.
Related Discussions
Semi-Newbie Making a hypertufa pond, help asap, please!
Q
Comments (9)
Hello Mike, thanks for responding.ÃÂ The pond will be at least 3" thick all around, I've pre molded the chicken wire so that I can just slip it on once I do my first layer of mix (about 1/2" to 1" thick) then finish it with another 2" of the mix (to ensure coverage of the wire), and for added strength. The pond will be above ground and on short squat "feet" made of concrete. The reason's for using hypertufa; I love the rustic charm of it, it would still be lighter than making it out of all cement, and using perlite instead of vermiculite will give me a "granite" kind of look. ÃÂ I did a test run using the sandy dirt from my yard to try and figure out how much of my 4 ingredients I will need. I don't have a problem re-sealing it but is there a clear coat "paint" to use instead of sealer? ÃÂ Can I add another fiber and which kind for added strength?? ÃÂ How long would you guessti ate for total curing time?? I will be pitching a tent over it to keep it from direct sun. Can one of those odjob concrete barrel mixers be used to mix the hypertufa? Thanks for any and all assistance.
...See More
brick formal waterfall construction
Q
Comments (2)
hydro-ton is basically like lava rock but usually its used in hydroponics... its more uniform round balls with an extra porous surface to trap oxygen (and hopefully beneficial bacteria and particulates) for roots to get the best water/oxygen ratio... I also plan on using irises and watercress as well as any other well suited filter plants. the brick box is about 1 1/2 - 2 feet wide 4 or 5 feet long and about 3 or 4 feet deep. It will sit on a foundation of concrete out of the water but surrounded on three sides by a collection basin/small pond. I was planning on putting the pump into the skimmer unit which will be located in the pond and pump it to the box and up through the stone and out the water fall... which then drops into a small pond/water collection area, then narrows into a stream which feeds the main pond. the pond itself is about 5-6 feet wide and about 7-8 feet long... the distance of the pond to the waterfall is about 15 feet, however it meanders so its probably more like 15-20 feet if stretched in a straight line. The box certainly will be big enough to house a pump but i was hoping one pump is enough. I'll post pictures of the excavated area tomorrow if i have time.
...See More
wearing to semi formal event?
Q
Comments (7)
Oh Oh. I had that same issue a couple of weeks ago and wore nude. Slim pencil skirt, silverish top and patent leather high heel shoes. I think it might be coming from the fact that a lot of young women don't wear nylons anymore. They seem to wear bare legs with highheels. Kate Middleton probably can't do that so is wearing nude nylons. If you are going to wear nude make sure that they are a really good quality sheer and don't come across looking like support hose.
...See More
Use tricks to zone shift and cheat fate to grow semi tropicals!
Q
Comments (1)
Out of scope for this tropical plant discussion, I've posted at this link "Fish pond winter considerations and protection thoughts." http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4418060/m=23/fish-pond-winter-considerations-and-protection-thoughts
...See More

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: A Pond House in the Arizona Desert

With water in the back and a descent to get in, this skillfully designed modern home keeps its cool in the Southwestern sun

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Garden Tour: Formal French Design on Lake Minnetonka

By Becky Harris

Eye-catching sculptures, a pavilion and a spacious terrace for entertaining feature in a Minnesota landscape renovation

GARDENING GUIDES Lay of the Landscape: English-Style Gardens

By Marianne Lipanovich

Stately and formal meet natural and romantic in English-inspired landscapes

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Koi Find Friendly Shores in Any Garden Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

A pond full of colorful koi can be a delightful addition to just about any landscape or garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Explore a Magical Restored English Garden

History comes alive in the gardens of a Rochester townhouse, filled with sculptural yew, a topiary parterre and an archway-draped pond

PLANTING IDEAS 7 Ways to Use Drifts and Masses In Your Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Whether in formal or natural landscapes, grasses or succulents planted en masse elevate the garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Garden Tour: Edith Wharton's The Mount

By Becky Harris

Inspired by The Grand Tour, the Author Designed Her Own Formal Gardens

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Easterners: Consider This Native Alternative to Boxwood

By Curtis Adams

Inkberry, or Ilex glabra, excels as a foundation plant or formal hedge perfectly suited to the East Coast

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Strike a Balance: Stuff vs. Space in the Garden

By Billy Goodnick Garden Design

Zoom out to the big design picture before focusing on the little details, to create a garden with all the elements in balance

SMALL KITCHENS 10 Things You Didn't Think Would Fit in a Small Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Don't assume you have to do without those windows, that island, a home office space, your prized collections or an eat-in nook

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Leak in my small inground prefab watergarden...?

1

pothos with yellow leaves

7

Stock tank cracked, New tank has brass drain

1

Growing impatiens in water

1