The size Small, shallow ponds are an option but remember not to expect too much of them. The disadvantage of very small ponds is that not only can they freeze up completely in winter, in summer the temperature of the water can rise pretty steeply. Neither of these effects is good for life in the pond. Try for a minimum surface area of 5 m2 of water (in the unplanted pond). This may sound a lot but, in fact, it is only 2 x 2.5 m in size. In most gardens this size should present no problems. However, this also means that the smaller your garden, the more prominent the part played by the pond. The pond should be at least 70 m deep at its shallowest point. This depth ensures that the lowest layer of water will not freeze, giving plants and animals the opportunity to survive.

Types of ponds

First there is the formal pond. This is normally geometrical in shape, i.e. circular, square or rectangular and it may be elevated (higher than the rest of the garden). This is the traditional pond that will fit perfectly into a romantic garden. It generally has some sort of moving water feature such as waterspouts or a fountain. This leads to major water activity, something that plants and fish find it difficult to tolerate. Ponds of this type are generally not planted. Next there are ponds intended for keeping fish, for example, koi carp. Fishponds generally contain no or only very few plants. The fish would only ruin the plants. Fishponds are not kept clean through the biological action of plants but by the use of filters, which take over this task. Bio-filters are also often installed in planted ponds for extra water purification. The effects are normally excellent. Some water features involve a waterfall or stream that empties into a small pond. This again is water in motion where planting opportunities are very restricted. The water features best suited to our ends are ornamental and natural ponds with water that is mostly still, the maximum possible surface area and space for a wonderful display of plants.

Planted ornamental ponds All kinds of water plants can be brought together in this type of pond, regardless of where they come from. The same applies to the rest of the garden so that the end effect involves a varied selection of plants chosen for their foliage and flowering habits. It is possible to achieve the most fabulous results and the pleasures of such a lavishly planted water-world are huge. Once you have made the right choices in terms of location and other requirements, only a minimum of maintenance will be needed. This type of pond permits endless variety and it can be any shape you want.

The natural pond In recent years ponds have been seen increasingly in terms of refuges for endangered species of plants and animals. A natural pond offers excellent solutions here. The pond is constructed in the same way as an ornamental pond. However, the aim is to equip it with different plants, i.e. almost exclusively with plants that occur naturally in our regions. Today’s cultivated assortment already includes so many varieties of such plants that boredom can never become an issue. The effect of a natural pond is to exude an atmosphere of calm and peace much greater than that presented by an exuberantly planted ornamental pond. Although the overall look may be less dramatic, it is certainly no less attractive. Tussen de in dit boek beschreven soorten vindt u er heel wat die uitstekend voor zo'n vijver geschikt zijn. Bovendien is het bezoek van bijv. insekten aan deze inheemse planten vaak nog intenser. Trekt u het idee van een vijver als ven in een heideveld of als klein polderplasje aan, dan kan dit type iets voor u zijn. Veel inheemse planten breiden zich snel uit en zaaien zichzelf spontaan uit als u ze eenmaal heeft. De plantenpopulatie wordt dan al gauw te dicht. Denk dus niet dat een natuurvijver onderhoudsvrij is. U zult de boel regelmatig moeten bijhouden.

Waterfalls and streams These are easy to construct in most gardens and their effect can often be breathtaking. However, it is important to remember that only very few plants will grow in strongly agitated water. In this case, planting will involve the use of marginal water plants alongside the stream or waterfall. Obviously these can be chosen to create a water-world ambience. Plants with grass-like foliage are especially suited to this purpose.