Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pond Garden

A Sense of Calm ...

We created the pond garden in 2005 with the sole purpose of having a soothing fish pond.  The sound of moving water lures you and a splashing fountain supplies music to its surroundings.  Water lilies dazzle your eyes and frogs peer at you from under the lily pads.  With water comes a host of living creatures - birds, dragonflies, snakes and water striders. 

Ahhhhh, how I just love sitting here enjoying the sounds, and watching the fish swirl around.



Frogs basking in the sun ...




This one is a little shy ...


The water lily flower stands for perfect beauty ...


even as it starts to close its petals ...


After watching the fish glide through the pond, before you know it you are transfixed.



Echinaceas are in full bloom ...


'Tiki Torch' always stands out from the rest ...


Black-eyed susans are bright and cheery ...


This year I planted a couple 'Serenity Rose Magic' Osteospermums near the pond and I am so happy I did.  When I purchased them I wasn't totally convinced the colors would change, but they really do!  As you can see from the photo the colors change as the flowers fully open.  These annuals will be a must have on my list next year.


Carex elata 'Aurea' is very attractive near the pond.  This ornamental perennial sedge has shimmery yellow leaves with dark green margins.  The golden color casts a reflection on the pond.


Thank you for taking a stroll with me to enjoy all the beauty summer has to offer.  I'm linking with the following blog parties for some garden fun.

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

34 comments:

Carol said...

Oh donna I love your bench! The pond is beautiful. I would love one but we have enough projects going on right now for sure! Blooms are pretty and fishies are too. Carol

Susan said...

Your pond is beautiful! We have a small pond in our yard, with a few fish, but not like yours. Wonderful!

Donna said...

Oh Donna,

What an absolute joy it was to take a tour through your pond and surrounding garden area. That is one of the projects on our outdoor 'to do' list. We have just the place already dug out by a former landscape architect that will be ideal! Thank you for the wonderful spark you've put back for me to move it up the list! Yours is just so beautiful and sitting near the water, listening to the sounds is such a wonderful way to relax!

Blessings for a continued great week,
Donna

Lisa Gordon said...

Your pond is beautiful Donna, and I love your little friend! Gorgeous photographs with such wonderful peacefulness, especially the first one.

Anonymous said...

Donna,

Thanks for coming by my blog. I love the photos you have of your garden. It is such a treat to see a pool and water garden and your froggies. Also love the vivid echinacea. I got Hot Lava this year and it is a fiery beacon in the midst of cooler colored echinaceas.

Yael from Home Garden Diggers

Olga Poltava said...

Those pond pictures are so beautiful. I love the photos of the lilies.

Unknown said...

Very nice pond, you described it so well..I can do without the snakes though~

pam said...

Your garden is so soothing!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Your garden is a lovely place to sit and relax. I love the 'Tiki Torch'
Echinaceas.

Carisa said...

Sigh...I would love to have a sweet little pond. I am sure you have spent lots of relaxing time hearing the running water.

Mrs. Petrie @ casapetrie.com

Terry said...

Gorgeous plants and a wonderful place to sit and relax and take it all in. I love looking at your photos.

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful pond and garden Donna.
your flowers are doing well.

I have been to the Floriade 2012 here in holland.
I wil send you some pictures there were gorgeous orchids.

greetings karin

Kat said...

So beautiful and relaxing! Love all the photos. On the Japanese Beetles, I used to have one of those bags, but don't know where it went. Need to get another one. Thanks for commenting on my blog. Kat

MiamiKel said...

OH I love this muchly ....... how I'd love to have a small garden like that in my own yard to find time to pray and be one with nature! Stunning work of nature's art ..... blessings!

Becky said...

What a beautiful garden Donna.

Katherines Corner said...

a beautiful and tranquil place. Thank you for sharing it with us. xo

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautiful, serene spot, Donna! We gave a small waterfall in our yard and I love the sound. All your flowers and plants are gorgeous.

Ella said...

Donna your garden looks beautiful,love the frogs in your pond.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a pretty and peaceful spot to rest and enjoy your beautiful pond. I love all of your flowers. You certainly have a green thumb, amoung all of your other talents. Thanks for taking us along. xx

Rhonda Langley said...

What a great little spot! The frogs are great as are the fish!

Kadee Willow said...

Beautiful garden! Hey.. your frogs should get together with my toads!! I posted a picture of our "guard toad" on my fb page!! LOL

Larry said...

Love your frog and osteospermums in particular... great post... Larry

CEO Lisa Anne - L.A said...

Hi Donna,
Your pond and flowers look beautiful. I love your water lilies! Your pond looks like a beautiful place to sit and listen to the bubbling water and frogs croaking sounds. The frogs are so cute sitting on the lily pads. It reminds me of being in the country. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Lisa

Anne Payne said...

WOW! Your pond garden is gorgeous. All your hard work has paid off and it seems to be a tranquil setting for enjoying God's beauty of creation! Thanks for the tour.

Bernideen said...

Now here is something I know nothing about but would love to have...........a pond. This is darling and you have done well! Very lovely- thanks for linking to Open House!

Birgitta said...

Such lovely and beautiful pictures!

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

Hi Donna: I love the curly bench and the frog pictures--they look very happy, and what a delightful place to sit and enjoy the view. Take care--have a wonderful weekend!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

What a delightful post! Beautiful subjects and captures.

Thank you for participating in Floral Friday Fotos!

Unknown said...

I love ponds and here's a pretty one.

Joyful said...

Very nice garden. It would be lovely to have a pond :-)

Georgianna said...

What a magical retreat, Donna! We've been talking about putting in a pond and this post with your lovely words and photos is definitely a great inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by Paris By Two.

Have a great week!

Georgianna

Cheryl said...

Donna, What a wonderful tour of your pond garden. Love all your frogs!

Stamping for Sanity! said...

Hi Donna,
I have not posted or chatted with anyone for the last 6 months. It is time for me to get active again.
I love your water garden and pictures of the fish and frogs. You have a very lovely and tranquil pond. It must bring you a lot of pleasure.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Everything is so beautiful!