Best to plan your plants before building

Several years ago, Deb went to France, the water lily Mecca of the world. She toured the farm of Latour-Marliac, who was the most influential grower of water lilies in the world in the late 1800's and early 1900's. He even provided the water lilies for Claude Monet's garden, which would become the most famous lilies in the world as Monet painted the masterpieces of his ponds. While in France, she also had the great privilege to meet Perry Slocum and Kirk Strawn, two of the great hybridizers in the water lily world.

You need to try different plants, Deb said, because ponds change over time (for example - more shade as a tree gets bigger, less shade if something happens to the tree). Lotus, thalia and tropical water lilies are bonuses to the pond. There are also many, many marginals to choose from. Deb had an array of various plants on display for everyone to see as she told about that particular plant. Forget-me-nots are a favorite of Deb and they can be used in the pond, stream bed or around the pond.

Other marginals that have some height to them are red rice and reed rush. Low growing plants, such as brass buttons (like a sedum), look good around the base of a lotus. Deb gave a word of caution about pennywort; "watch out, watch out!" she said. Floating plants like water hyacinths like to be crowded so you can make a ring out of plastic tubing to keep them together and keep them out of the skimmer.

Another floating idea is bark-looking cork which has holes to slip pots into. If you are still planting your lilies in pots, Deb
said that you should have at least a 16" pot to have the best looking lilies. It is best to re-pot lilies in the spring but any time in the growing season is okay. Don't do it too late in the season though; the roots need to have time to re-establish before the water gets too cold.

Deb gave each couple/member in attendance a helpful booklet entitled "Water Garden Guide & Plant List" which contains very valuable information on all 2 aspects of water gardening. Deb is co-owner of Waters Edge in Lawrence, and has been in the water gardening business for many years. She is a wealth of information on ponds and is a member of TAWGS.