Water feature or planter?

DD265

We have this decking next to our patio and the space between the two runs all the way under the bridge. We definitely want some form of water feature in the garden but it's not a large garden so we want to maximise the space. We need to tackle cleaning/repairing the decking, so it makes sense to plan to prepare that space at the same time.

My husband thinks we should put a 'pond' in there - it wouldn't be deep and there wouldn't be any fish in it. I expect we'd fill it with pebbles, a few appropriate plants and a small water fountain of some sort for some movement. This part of the garden does get the most sun but I'd say it was still partially shaded.

I'm not sure how well it would work, so I would prefer to use the space for planting, and have something like this on the patio: https://www.primrose.co.uk/semi-shade-white-pondinapot-solar-water-feature-72cm-p-82606.html

What would you do?

Davesnave

I don't think either option would be something I'd do. You / Primrose aren't allowing enough space for the way in which water plants multiply.

In that 'no hassle' collection, for example, the houttuynia will go bonkers and swamp the rest. That's if you get a houttuynia, because I see the choice is theirs, not yours. It's not a plant I'd let loose in the garden anyway. Don't know some of the others, but the pennywort runs too.

The space under the bridge looks logical for water as a reason for having a bridge, but without a larger area of water to the left as we look at it, it will be 'something and nothing,'as my Mum would have said. Again, it will soon fill up if water plants are used.

If I'd inherited that garden, I'd question why there's an imprisoned area of decking, which we all know is a slip hazard and a great home for rodents. I'd pull it all up and install more of that nice paving, making my pond in there, I'd surround it with the paving to keep away from the house foundations and make it visible from those windows. That would also give access to pull out the excess plants that will grow.

The above is assuming you have enough patio/sitting space already. I realise it might not be what you want to hear, but it's an honest opinion. Sorry!

DD265

Davesnave wrote: »

The above is assuming you have enough patio/sitting space already. I realise it might not be what you want to hear, but it's an honest opinion. Sorry!

Honest opinions are exactly what I wanted.

This is our first garden, so we've still got a lot to learn! I don't know anything about how water plants grow for example and it looks like I'd best go find out.

We do have more decking in the garden (and some of it is definitely lethal right now!) but this particular bit had a hot tub in it previously and the current plan is to eventually use it for that purpose again. The decking used to go the full width of the house before a conservatory was installed. I do like the idea of putting a proper pond there though.. food for thought!

MysteryMe

Too small and shallow as Dave has said. You'll have issues with evaporation which means constant topping up to stop the fountain from running dry. As with fish tanks, the smaller the volume of water the more work is involved with keeping the space in good condition.

babyblade41

Whoever invented decking and more fool me to install it a few houses ago !!!

More patio there for me and open it up especially in a smallish garden . I think you mentioned possible hot tub in future but think of the expense and will you really use it enough ?

DigForVictory

Out with the decking, which is not lovely enough to justify the effort & maintenance, consider raised beds and a deliberate green corridor with a proper pond so you can raise frogs as well as plants veg etc.

Ditch the decking & go for a froggery!

If that gravel stripe isn't a drive, train things along the fenceline & have that as part of the green corridor & also to look out on from the windows?

WeAreGhosts

Pinterest is a good place to find some visual ideas.

DD265

WeAreGhosts wrote: »

Pinterest is a good place to find some visual ideas.

Pinterest is half the problem; if you looked at my pinterest boards you would think we had several acres to play with for all the ideas on it. :rotfl:

Lets change scope if I may and look at the whole garden:






The raised brick beds and barbecue are coming out; the brickwork is damaged. We'll put higher raised beds in there with a timber frame, thinking railway sleepers if they won't take up too much depth. The fence will be toned down and the lawn will be given some TLC. On the patio we'll put some furniture and no doubt some more pots. Apparently the hot tub is non-negotiable but it will double up as a water feature. To the right of the conservatory is a path leading to the front of the house with particularly lethal decking. To the left of the house there's a lean-to type thing that we need to keep access to. Short term we don't have much money to throw at it as we have other priorities but will keep chipping away.

I want a garden that's full of life (of the plant variety, we have two cats so don't really want to encourage wildlife in for supper) but the main aim is a nice space for socialising. I'm happy to share more specific ideas but I'd love to hear what you guys would do!

WeAreGhosts

DD265 wrote: »

Pinterest is half the problem; if you looked at my pinterest boards you would think we had several acres to play with for all the ideas on it. :rotfl:

Me too ....

andrewf75

First thing that springs to mind is plant a couple of small trees!

Farway

andrewf75 wrote: »

First thing that springs to mind is plant a couple of small trees!

I'd agree with that, in large fancy pots

Maybe a bit limited choice due to pot grown, oaks for instance may not be a good idea;)

But something both ornamental & possible fruitful, apple or cherry maybe? Both have beautiful blossom around early summer

Or scented shrubs in tubs?