Garden Water Feature Trends

Audra Lowe: Give your garden a new look—you can do that too. From beautiful waterfalls to small ponds; adding a little water accents to your garden is not impossible. Mar shows Rhiannon the hottest water trends this year. Rhiannon Ally: Making a splash in your garden can be easy and inexpensive. So we’re here at one of the nation’s largest flower and garden shows to get some inspiration from our gardening expert Mar Jennings Mar Jennings: Hi. Rhiannon Ally: Hello. Mar Jennings: This is my superbowl. Okay. This is really where all comes out. And there are a lot of flower and garden shows across the country and I definitely tell people to go ahead and experience it because no matter if you’re an avid gardener or just a beginner, there’s something for everyone. It’s a safe environment to learn and discover the latest trends. Rhiannon Ally: Let’s talk about getting some water— Mar Jennings: You know they’re becoming more and more popular and the reason why they’re becoming popular is because as simple as a small water feature or a large water feature. You can start with the birdbath or you can do something more elaborate. And you can add Koi Fish; and who doesn’t love having that splash in their backyard? You know the aquatic noise aesthetic makes—you know, the sparkling of the way the light hits it. It’s just a great edition to any garden. Rhiannon Ally: But can’t this be expensive? I mean you can spend a lot of money. Mar Jennings: You know the best part about this—of course, you can go completely; you can get Rolls Royce or you can get—you know, first—you know, small pond. It’s all about shape and size and really what you want it to do. So I will say, start with something small and expand with it, you know. It’s going to be more maintenance if you’re going to have fish; if you’re going to have other life features in your pond—that’s going to make a difference as well. But a lot like a swimming pool, you’re going to put it to rest at a certain time of the year, and there is a little maintenance involved with it as well. Rhiannon Ally: You said it depends on it be a fish and other things help much maintenance? Mar Jennings: Correct, correct. Rhiannon Ally: So if you don’t want to spend a lot of time? Mar Jennings: You want to keep it pretty much—you know, as maintenance free as possible. But you know there are a lot of professionals out there that you can really trust that are experts in that field. And so you can really rely on someone to dictate and to help you thought it. You know we’ve seen people do this as small projects for a weekend. You know the key is that if you are going to do it, this is a type of place that can come and you’ll see the designs; take plenty of photographs; you know, identify what you like and then that’s your inspiration to bring it back home. And depending upon your size and where you live, we’ll determine on just how beautiful that water feature can be. Rhiannon Ally: Can you tell us a couple of different kinds from just a basic waterfall on? Mar Jennings: You know there is a basins type of feature. And that is if you’re concerned about your pets or a small child stepping into a pond, you could do it so it’s all filled with gravel; so you still hear that trickling of water, but if falls into an area that’s really a flat surface that’s just absorbing the water. That’s a bran new trend we’re seeing more and more of that. Rhiannon Ally: Okay. So these are the tube main types then? Mar Jennings: Main types and of course you r traditional pond is just the best way to incorporate it. And something interesting you should know as well—people forget that when you create a pond at home—it’s man made, you want to make sure that it steps down; so it’s a gradual way of stepping into the pond. It’s easier to access; easier to clean and easier to maintain as well. Rhiannon Ally: Alright, thank you so much Mar for showing us new ways. Mar Jennings: My pleasure. You’re going to get a pond now right? Rhiannon Ally: I'm not but… Mar Jennings: The bathtub doesn’t count. Rhiannon Ally: Audra might— Mar Jennings: Okay, yeah, let’s get here. Audra Lowe: Well that certainly gets you in the mood for Spring and if you want more great tips from Mar, you can check out his blog at BetterTV.com.