Water gardens by the Lake are soothing to both eye and ear

By Catriona Tudor Erler

                Every garden needs a water feature. Here at the Lake you could argue that you’ve got a major built-in water feature right on your doorstep; it’s done and dusted. But many waterfront homeowners would disagree.

                “Even though we’re on the water, you don’t have the sound of water,” explained Michelle Siren. “Having a water garden provides that sound and brings it all together.”

                About 18 months ago, the Sirens moved to the Lake from Northern Virginia where Bob had a landscaping business. He joined Daybreak Natural Stone and Water Gardens, a Bedford-based company that designs and installs custom ponds and waterfalls. For his first job, Bob installed a water garden on his own property.

                Their sloping lot is ideal for what the Sirens wanted: a stream running down the hillside that tumbles over stones and cascades through waterfall chutes to a pond below. The water music created on the journey is a delight to the ears, while the koi-filled pond  is a serene focal point.

                Bob incorporated all sorts of creative ideas into the design, including a sitting rock positioned on the edge of the pond with a flagstone foot rest at the right height underneath. An antique water pump, which came from Bob’s home in Connecticut, features prominently. Eventually, he wants to hook it up to the water pump so it will serve as a fountain. Native stone gathered locally surrounds the pond and stream so that it blends harmoniously with the setting. Still a young garden, there are hostas dotted around the periphery of the pond. With time, as the plants fill in, they will provide a lush surround to the water feature.                 

               In contrast, Brian and Mimi Benjamin’s hillside pond has the minimalist look of water bubbling from a natural spring on a rocky hillside. It tumbles down the slope, where it collects in an upper pond formed in the rocks, then spills out and continues down the scree to a lower pond.  The presentation is dramatic, and the maintenance is minimal, which is ideal for those who are not full-time residents.

                This beauty is a far cry from what the Benjamins found when they first bought the house. “The back [yard] was a disaster,” said Mimi. “The place was weedy, covered with garbage and there was an old wooden stage.” 

                The Benjamins cleared the slope and almost immediately had a problem with erosion because the weeds were holding the soil. That’s when they began working with Loren Brown, owner of Daybreak Natural Stone and Water Gardens, whose work they had seen and loved. Working in stages to keep the project affordable, the Benjamins began by stabilizing the slope with paths. Finally, the ponds and waterfall were installed about two years ago.

                “As soon as the ponds were finished, we had all sorts of unexpected benefits,” said Mimi. “The frogs moved in. We used to have a mosquito problem, but now we have none. The frogs ate all the mosquitoes, and we can hear them sing, too.”

                The Benjamins are particularly pleased with the waterfall.  “If you look at it closely,” said Mimi, “you can see that Loren has created a bubbling effect with little stones set in it. The placement of each stone is perfect; only an artist could do what he did.” 

                  A water garden was a top priority for James and Linda Barber. They had one at their home in North Carolina and knew it was important to have one when they moved to the Lake. At the same time as the plans for their Lake house were being developed, they began working with Loren Brown on their pond plans. 

                The Barbers chose a sunny, level site at the front of the house. To create a slope for a waterfall cascade, they built a berm that also screens the large pond from the road. The circular pond is stocked with a variety of water plants and is alive with koi. A rich assortment of plants surround the pond, and sculptures and other ornaments accent the setting. Next to the water is a stone seat, a favorite spot where the Barbers enjoy morning coffee. 

                “This is an isle of serenity to us,” said Linda Barber.  “It’s fun to watch the plants and fish. It’s an emotionally soothing place and a good thinking place.”      

                In the past, installing a water garden was a complicated and expensive proposition involving cement bottoms with the risks of cracks and leaks. Today, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to install a pond using flexible or rigid liners and submersible pumps. Of course, the cost goes up with the size and complexity of the project, but it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a simple pond and fountain on a budget. 

                Optional accessories make maintenance easier as well. Skimmers keep fallen leaves and debris from collecting on the water surface and fouling the pond. Another useful device is a metering tool that senses the water level and tops it up when it drops. The ponds don’t take long to install, either. Typically, one can be competed in about three days at just about any time of year.

                Water gardens add a magical dimension to any property. They are a balm to the spirit, attract desirable wildlife, provide an attractive focal point, and if the water moves, they add a special kind of music to the garden. As Michelle Siren put it, “A pond garden next to the Lake is a match made in heaven.”

Catriona Tudor Erler is a freelance garden writer and photographer who divides her time between Smith Mountain Lake and Charlottesville, Virginia. She is the author of  eight garden books including “Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping Around Your Swimming Pool and Spa,” “The Frugal Gardener: How to Have More Garden for Less Money,” and “Complete Home Landscaping.”