Southern Breeze 2007 Fall Issue

home OUR BACKYARD Just Add Water Whether a fountain, koi pond, or babbling brook, your garden will take on a new life with a simple infusion of H2O. story and photography by NORMAN WINTER W Waterlilies (below) and Bromeliads (right) add an exotic splash of color to any water garden. Norman is a frequent garden lecturer and author of Mississippi Gardener’s Guide, Paradise Found: Growing Tropicals in Your Own Backyard and the highly acclaimed Tough-asNails Flowers for the South. hile hiking in Yosemite National Park my family and I happened upon a crystal clear stream. We were mesmerized as we watched and listened for 30 minutes or so. That mood and pleasure we experienced by this moving water can be duplicated in any landscape. Water features have become the rage all over the Gulf Coast in home landscapes. You may be anxious to get a do-it-yourself water garden going in your landscape and I don’t blame you. But before you make that purchase, there are some key considerations. There are two primary types of water features to choose from: active and passive. Passive water moves only by a breeze like an earthen or concrete pond. We have all watched the wind create tiny ripples on a pond. There are certainly no minuses with this style of water feature. With the addition of plants like irises, lilies, ferns, and umbrella plants, your passive water pond then becomes a wonderful and unique garden. If you think flowers can’t be pretty in a water garden you haven’t looked at water lilies lately. These are among the most exotic blossoms in the world. Active water is different in that it moves, such as a cascading, rocky waterfall or a babbling brook. Active water features open up a new sensory perception—sound. It is peaceful and soothing to listen to water move. This is evident in all of the tapes and CDs that feature water sounds to help listeners relax. Waterfalls are also extra special in that they create vertical movement. Water can also flow out of decorative containers or fountains, and those are usually a smaller hit on the pocketbook. Locate your water feature where it can be best enjoyed. Patios, seating areas, entry spaces, courtyards, and interior window views are good locations. Access to electricity, water faucets, and cleaning equipment are additional practical considerations. Remember to always check for buried utility lines before you dig. Nurseries and garden centers now stock everything you need to install your own water garden including aquatic plants and koi. Koi are the large goldfish-looking fish that seem to get more valuable with age. So before you make your purchase, decide on whether you want active or passive, formal or more natural. Water adds a soothing, calming element to a hectic world and is a dramatic addition to the landscape. And, in many cases, it becomes the focal point. 28 s o u t h e r n b re e z e . c o m http://southernbreeze.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Southern Breeze 2007 Fall Issue

Editor's Letter Contributor Gumbo Words & Notes Accessories Coastal Calendar Storefronts: French Flair in Fairhope Sweet Dreams: Smooth Sailing Art of Living: The Colors of Hope Fixtures: Shake It Up! Live Here: Filled to the Brim Our Backyard: Just Add Water Make Yourself at Home: Open Invitation Pierless Pleasures Always Biloxi Spirited Away Reef Madness Louisiana Love Cheers: Fall Freeze Dish: Java Servers Reader Services Chef's Table: The Kid Inside Let's Eat: Cornbread, Catheads, and Calas Last Bite

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