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Small water features and bog gardens

Water lillies in garden pond

You can provide a water feature regardless of the size of your garden. Even a small planter trough of 70 x 30 cm x 25 cm deep (28 x 12ins x 10ins) will provide refuge for aquatic wildlife within a comparatively short space of time.

If you do not want to did a large hole in your garden or have concerns about children, containers can be a good compromise. However, this may still be dangerous for very small children - research by RoSPA indicates that the under fives are at particular risk.

Making a small water feature

  • Large plastic planting pots are excellent for turning into small water features. If there are pre-drilled drainage holes, line the container with butyl liner.
  • Place a layer of gravel in the bottom of the tub. You will need a shallow area or ledge in your feature. This may be created using bricks or inverted plant pot, so that wildlife can get in and out. On top of this, place a planted basket of marginal plants submerged at or below the water surface.
  • You could try linking tubs of different heights together using a pre-cast plastic waterfall which can over flow into another tub below. You may even consider making one of the tubs a bog garden (see below).
  • Because of their small size, containers should be sheltered from prevailing winds, and away from exposure to long periods of direct sun, as evaporation will be high.
  • You may have room to use one of the smaller pre-shaped plastic ponds and surround and support it using other tubs and planters.

Making a bog garden

It is well worth considering creating a boggy area as a feature in your garden, that could form part of a pond. Consider a bog garden instead of a pond if you are concerned about the safety of young children.

There are plenty of beautiful plants that do not do well in open water, but thrive in a bog garden, e.g. purple loosestrife, marsh marigold and water mint.

Some general hints and tips:

  • Create a reasonably large wetland – otherwise it could dry out too quickly.
  • Make a bog garden in much the same way as you would a pond, but much shallower. Puncture the liner to allow some drainage.
  • If you are limited for space, bog gardens can be created in a container (see above).

Last modified: 10 September 2007