We often get hedgehogs in our garden. We used to leave plant pot saucers full of water scattered around the garden so hedgehogs could have a drink after hopefully snacking on any slugs that they happened to come across. I'm sure anything that dines on slugs would need a long drink with which to wash it down.
During a border renovation I had a thought - as I do - that maybe I could sink some sort of container into the ground and create a more permanent solution. Thoughts are dangerous things in our house and this thought developed and we ended up buying one of those prefabricated pond moulds - not a very large one, it only measures 80 centimetres by 50 centimetres, hence the name Puddle Pond.
This was set into the ground...
... and then we set about trying to blend it into it's surroundings. We bought a couple of pre-planted baskets of pond plants. Unfortunately the plants weren't labelled but I do know that amongst them are a kaffir lily, maybe a couple of sorts of lobelia and a pontederia. As well as the planting baskets I also popped a large stone, that once was part of a rockery, into the puddle so that any birds that preferred low level bathing could have safe access.
Grass was taken up to the edge of the Puddle Pond and then I set about planting around the edges so that it looked comfortable in its surroundings. Some of the plants used are shown below.
As the pond plants have grown the Puddle Pond has almost disappeared and now is in need of a bit of TLC.
To my shame I've really not taken much notice of this little pond - that is until this year. The kaffir lily has flowered profusely since August and is still going strong and the lobelia to has shouted out "Look at me!"
The plants have now put on such a show of lovely autumn colour. The kaffir lily is mingling with the beautiful autumn tints of the lobelia leaves.
I must pay our little Puddle Pond more attention next year.
I've set up a page on my website about the Puddle Pond here which will follow its progress next year.
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How do you keep the water fresh? Do you have to do any maintenance, or do you just rely on rainfall? I know nothing about ponds, but having a Puddle Pond of my own is attractive to me. anything bigger would not fit in my garden.
ReplyDeleteUnlike our fish pond, it just seems to take care of itself, Mark. I thought it might get smelly but it hasn't. Maybe the plants help. If it had started to smell I intended to throw in a couple of oxygenating plants.
DeleteWe do top it up with water as the grass edging can suck the water out!
I did give it a tidy up at the beginning of the year but really now the plants need thinning.
I don't have room for a large pond in my garden, but I have one of a similar size to your puddle pond. It's set in the border amongst the flowers, and I filled it with a few pond plants. It's amazing how well the pond plants do in such a small pond, and also, how much wildlife at attracts. Thank you for your comment on my blog, and for the positive thoughts for Archie.
ReplyDeleteIt has done far better than I expected too, Jo.
DeleteI've kept thinking of Archie - I really hope things go well for him.
It does look beautiful. Liz (not Fizz, forgot to sign out/in)
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that Fizz is your lovely dog, Liz.
DeleteI think your puddle pond is a great idea...I wonder myself now about maybe taking the top off my bird bath and doing something similar next year. I think it would add a nice dimension to the garden and also give chance for the 4 legged critters to drink too!!
ReplyDeleteAs for neglect....I would call it 'natural'!!
Why not leave the bird bath as it is and sort out a mini pond as well. Tanya. Some birds don't like low level drinking and the bird bath would be a bit too shallow to plant in
DeleteGood idea...the only thing is I'm not sure where I could put it if the bird bath remains. Oh well I guess I have a whole season to contemplate!!
DeleteWhat a beautiful garden you have, so much colour and variety!
ReplyDeleteThanks SWG
ReplyDelete