This attractive water garden and plants are protected from changing temperatures.
Rather than placing a container on top of the soil where it’s susceptible to temperature fluctuations, lower a pot into the ground so it’s surrounded with soil. The minipond also looks particularly attractive at the edge of a path or when surrounded by other plants.
Inspired to create even more water features? Find out how to build a water wheel.
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What You Need:
- Shovel
- Plastic planter
- Sand or gravel
- Flat stones or flagstones (optional)
- Plants
Zones: 5-10
Time: About 1 day
Plant Options:
- Dwarf papyrus
- Water fringe
- Hardy water canna
- Duckweed
- Water snowflake
Step 1
1. Dig hole. Using the pot as a guide, dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the pot, so the rim sits flush with the surface of the ground. Level the bottom of the hole. Add a layer of sand or gravel if necessary.
Step 2
2. Place pot. Set the container in the hole and fill in around it with sand, gravel, or excavated soil to make sure the pot is secure in the hole. (Find a use elsewhere in the garden for the unused excavated soil.)
Step 3
3. Plant. Fill the pot with water and let it stand for several days before planting with one water lily, a small lotus, or three to five small potted and floating water plants. You can camouflage the pot with flat stones.
Horse trough mini
water garden
Use a horse trough: Almost anything can be used for a water garden. Turn an old or new metal trough — horse, cattle, or pit (available at antiques stores or at animal supply stores) — into a water feature simply by sinking it in the ground; follow the directions for a smaller container. Add one or two medium-size rocks to connect it visually to the surrounding garden. Camouflage the rim with a covering of rocks and flat stones, or leave it in view, accented with plantings. Put a fountain near one end.
SOURCE:http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/sunken-container/