A water garden is probably the simplest garden you will ever plant. It’s beautiful and calming.

What you’ll need:

• A watertight container, or a container with a plastic liner – it should be 18 – 28 inches deep to grow true aquatic plants. Marginal plants don’t need deep water and can go in a shallower pot.
• Plastic baskets, bricks, or Lucite stands to use as steps inside the container to vary the height of the plants.
• A submersible re-circulating pump. You may choose to use a Pump Protector to keep your pump from clogging. For smaller ponds, I have not had a lot of trouble with clogging. You may also choose to use a "fountain" adapter for your pump.
  
• Rocks to anchor your plants
  Aquatic plants such as water celery, water hyacinths, blooming cala lilies, and blue rushes
  

You can also purchase a "kit" like the one I am using from Lilypons Water Gardens (1-800-723-7667) which contains a plastic whisky barrel with a wooden wheel base. The inside of the barrel has "steps" built into it, eliminating the need for baskets or bricks.

You can make your container water garden any size you would like. I have even made a windowsill size garden which is a great way to add humidity to your home in the winter.

The most important things to note are:
Let the water "sit" for at least 48 hours before adding plants. This is to allow the chlorine and other added chemicals to evaporate from the water.

Wait two weeks before adding fish. The water may go through a "green" phase during this time. You can choose to use an algicide, but it is not required.

Choose plants that are suited to the amount of sunlight your site received. Check light requirements on the instructions that come with the plants.

Try to create grouping of both vertical and horizontal plants. Leave some water surface empty so that the container doesn’t appear over-full. I suggest covering about 60 – 70% of the surface.

You can choose to add a submersible re-circulating pump (like those used in fish tanks). I like the sound of moving water – I find it very calming,

Water should re-circulate completely every 2 - 6 hours


Plants
Choose plants that are suited to the amount of sunlight your site received. Check light requirements on the instructions that come with the plants.

If your container is 18 – 24" high you may choose true aquatic plants.

If your container is less than 18" then choose "marginal" plants. They do not require deep water to thrive and flower, which makes them ideal for smaller water gardens.

The roots of floating-leaf aquatic plants like the water Hawthorne and water lilies need to be completely submerged, and their leaves require enough surface room to float horizontally.

You can combine marginals and floating-leaf aquatics in the same deep container. Just place the marginal in the pots on top of submerged platforms, letting the deeper water plants sit on the bottom of the container.


Here are some recommendations:
Water lily – Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Bog Plants – Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Water Pennywort - Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Water Hyacinth – This is a "floating" plant - no soil or pot – just floats in the water!

Water Lettuce – This is a "floating" plant – no soil or pot – just floats in the water!

Parrot’s Feather - Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Water Clover - Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Square Rush – Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Water Poppy – Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Umbrella Palm – Planted in Heavy Garden Soil

Anacharis – This is a "Submerged" plant – it is potted in SAND instead of soil, it is placed at the bottom of the water garden – it will help to keep your garden free from algae.

Add stones to the tops of the "Soil" potted plants – it makes them more attractive, and keeps the soil in place, which means your garden is clearer.

You will also need to feed your plants. Check the individual plant requirements.

If you like—you can add fish and scavengers. The scavengers will help keep the garden clean and the fish are great for getting the mosquitoes!

Scavenger Choices
Japanese lack Snails, or Tadpoles.

Fish Choices
Koi, Butterfly Koi, Comet, Japanese Fantail, or Shubunkin. Don’t forget to feed them. Choose food specifically for the water temp. and time of year. In the spring, feed a low protein food. In summer, they eat more.

** Watch out for fish predators such as: raccoons, birds, cats, turtles, water snakes, and frogs!

Instructions:

1. Once the water is ready -
   
2. Submerge plants in their individual pots. Add stones to the top of each pot to keep them from "floating."
   
3. Vary the height, by placing the taller plants in the back and working forward in descending height.
   
4. Then add the "floaters."
   
5. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your garden!
   

Here’s something most people don’t realize. Many of the potted water garden plants can be brought indoors for the winter, such as Umbrella Palm and Dwarf Papyrus. Set them in a tray and keep them well watered. They’ll be happy and ready to go back out into the water for summer!

The rest of your plants should be cut down to 2 – 3" above the pot, covered with damp newspaper and kept in a cool place – about 40 degrees – such as a basement or garage. Be sure to keep the newspaper moist throughout the winter. Then after frost season – you can bring them out for the next summer season.