Pond Plantings

Originally the plants, trees, and shrubs at the water's edge planted themselves. I left them alone for the first gardening years. In 2007 my Great Pond Beautification Plan was finally launched - it's now the winter of 2010 and I'm still going strong.

Non-Gardening Partner was co-opted in to chainsaw down large self-seeded trees, and I trimmed the overgrown Phormiums. Gradually I brought in foliage plants to fill the gaps - water-loving Carexes, Cordylines, and other New Zealand shrubs. And of course I found some space for my favourite rugosa roses.

Plants by the Pond Edge - 2009

And in 2009 I started collecting garden gnomes - enough said. The gnome in this photograph is Bob. He's a healthy, happy little chap with the rosiest cheeks.

Agapanthus

To tidy up the difficult garden places I've dug in clumps of Agapanthus, a foliage plant which works well for me in my garden. This following photograph shows the start of the pond path.

Path Around the Pond and Agapanthus - 2010

From the Moosey Archives

In archive photographs the pond edge is barely recognisable. For some reason I thought that the ground would be too difficult to work with - the soil too sandy, not enough water, those sorts of things.

plants by the pond edge - 1998

My goodness - how quickly a garden can change, in the grand scheme of things - provided that the Head Gardener works hard at developing new garden areas, and keeps them well maintained...