My Garden Odyssey: Adding a second water feature

EPISODE XVIII

SHE SAID: One of the advantages to spending time making a master plan — before you even begin to dig a shovelful of dirt — is that you know what's coming next and where it's going. That's held true whether it is one of Mark's construction projects or the planting schemes that I created. During those first months, when he wasn't playing in the mud, I dragged him off to nurseries to get his opinion on trees and shrubs for our garden. 

These plants would be defining choices; and though I compiled the list, we knew we would have to agree on the plant and the placement before we could make a purchase! Without these trees and shrubs, out garden features were lost in space with nothing to anchor them and make them part of the larger garden.

In the case of the large pond and stream that you've been reading about here, construction took the entire summer and planting was only discussed, not actually accomplished. But within sight of that dramatic water feature, Mark built — and I landscaped — another water feature in a much shorter time period and with much less stress. We followed our usual method of using mock-ups to test size and placement before we bought either rocks or trees and shrubs. 

HE SAID: We don't pretend that our "Japanese" garden is in the least bit "authentic." We are not Japanese and we don't live in Japan. That being said, we have borrowed liberally from their tradition when it suited us.

One of the traditional elements of a tea garden is the tsukubai: a place to cleanse one's hands, mouth and spirit before engaging in the tea ceremony. It is not just a container of water, but an arrangement of elements: stones with specific functions, water, plants, a lantern.

SHE SAID: The rocks for this smaller project were all delivered and moved into the back garden at the time the big pond was being dug when large equipment was on-site. The large rock that anchors the tsukubai was set in place as the first step in the construction of this project.

Of course, the same problems that beset the pond project — rain, and lots of it — affected this smaller construction job, too. The water-filled hole is where the re-circulating pump will go; inside a five gallon plastic bucket hidden under a layer of metal screening and smooth black Mexican river rocks.

At this stage of our garden plan, you can see how the yard is bare of grass from the heavy equipment and pond construction except for the areas closest to the house. The rocks for the tsukubai have been set and the pump is under the layer of black river rocks at the center of the arrangement above. Our green marbelized bowling ball is standing in for the container that will overflow with water. 

The first tsukubai plantings included a star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) in bloom, with a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum dissectum) behind it. The pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) — still in its nursery container — is awaiting planting.

HE SAID: Rather than try to slavishly imitate the Japanese models we had seen at Anderson Garden and elsewhere, we agreed to look for Western equivalents whenever possible. In the case of the tsukubai, we decided to substitute used copper piping for the traditional bamboo flue and a ceramic storage jar for the usual stone bowl. The jar was made by a local potter friend which gives it another layer of meaning.

Japanese designers often employ recycled elements to add to the Wabi-sabi aesthetic of their gardens. We were fortunate to find some excellent materials, either free or at a very reasonable price, to add a feeling of age and history to our garden. We were told — but have never been able to verify — that the two granite slabs that we incorporated into one of the paths were once part of the steps leading to the Wisconsin State Capitol.

SHE SAID: Just changing the color of the house made an enormous difference in the way the tsukubai felt — and looked. Now the house fades into the background and the focus remains on the garden.

One of our personal rules was no planting within two feet of the house. That area is beneath the roof overhang which keeps it from soaking up any rainwater. Equally important is the need to maintain a clear space to work in when it's time again to paint the house. 

To make it a decorative as well as a utilitarian feature, it's edged in limestone and topped with the same kind of stones used elsewhere in the garden. This feature is now completely hidden by greenery — unless you are standing right next to the house.

HE SAID: The stepping stone path serves several roles in a tea garden. First of all, it keeps your feet up off of the soil. But, more importantly it tends to slow your movements and direct your attention. In our case we also wanted the path to help create an element of surprise. 

It isn't until you arrive at the granite slabs and the large stone in front of the tsukubai that you feel comfortable enough of your footing to stop and look up: the tsukubai is revealed. This is also the moment where you first get a view of the big pond and the mounds behind.

SHE SAID: The view above is from the roof of the house. The trees and shrubs have now filled in so much that they need to be annually pruned to keep the end of the pipe and the dripping water visible when you are standing in front of the tsukubai.

After a number of years of enjoying the tsukubai as originally designed, we decided to take up the grass in front of it and replace it with gravel. The gravel provided a better contrast with the stepping stones as well as being a variation on the raked gravel Moon Garden in front of the house. We also added a row of small rocks with flat tops to edge the shade planting adjacent to the gravel.

Just off the deck is a paperbark maple (Acer griseum), underplanted with a dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii). The tree at the far left is a Ginkgo biloba.

The big pond runs during the day, recirculating over the stream and waterfall, and then automatically shuts off when it gets dark. But the tsukubai — located right outside our bedroom windows — runs continuously. Its gentle splashing masks traffic noise and lulls us to sleep, both unplanned benefits. The tsukubai taught us that it's not only the big projects that provide pleasure.   

For more episodes about the design of this garden, go to My Garden Odyssey in the categories list. Click on any picture to enlarge it so you can see the details.

Be sure to enter a comment HERE before midnight on March 30 to take part in Each Little World's give-away of Julie Moir Messervy's new book, "Home Outside."

Comments

[Pam/Digging (Austin)]

The house color does make a huge difference in the way the quiet, reflective garden is perceived. I really enjoy small water features like this and will be incorporating one in my new garden. I like the way, in constructing yours, you used Western and local materials while following Japanese tradition.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

I joked with Mark that if the house had been sided yellow and the color could not have been changed, it would have been a deal-breaker when we bought the house. We call it the "stealth house" because it's such a dark green it's almost black. Little water features like this add so much without as much work and expense.

I am really enjoying watching your circle garden come together.

[Pam/Digging]

Especially as it was your idea. ;-)

[catmint]

It looks great, I love the serenity.And I like the way you don't feel obliged to slavishly copy some traditional model, but are influenced and choose what you like.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Pam — I just gave you a little help to pull the parts together. So many blogs are mostly about flowers and I am really interested in the design and building end of gardening — as you can tell from these Wednesday posts. That's one of the reasons I like your blog; you're showing how it all comes together.

[Lisa at Greeenbow]

I Said: This is a marvelous garden. I have always liked the Japanese garden style but I also like it that you have kept it more personal than the traditional Japanese gardens seem to me. Sometimes they are too severe for my tastes. You have a beautifully executed Japanese style garden.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Catmint — I will enjoy watching your progress as you prepare for the visitors. You are certainly dealing with some real climate issues and I liked the article you mentioned. I am trying to be more realistic about how many high maintenance areas one gardener can manage! The area described here just takes a few quick clips with the pruners and a periodic re-raking of the gravel into a new pattern and it looks good.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

She said: Thanks Lisa! We decided that it would look too silly if our garden was totally "Japanese," since we live in the Midwest and aren't Japanese. So figuring out personal versions of their concepts has worked pretty well.

[Sarah Laurence]

I enjoy how you’ve incorporated elements of a Japanese garden and made them your own. Good choice on the house color change. The effect is lovely.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

HI Sarah! We actually drove around til we saw a house whose color we liked, rang the bell and asked if we could hold up color chips to get a sense of dark house colors. Since someone had done the same thing to us, I didn't feel so silly!

[Lynn]

This post is as much a treasure as the gorgeous space you have created. I'm really grateful to see the process, to understand the collaboration that helps make the decisions, and know that it doesn't happen overnight! I'm dying to make a simple stone path to our backyard, and yours has shown me that a mix of stones can look great (our budget is 0 and we're probably moving in a year, so nearly all of it will need to be found or scavenged). Thanks again.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Thanks, Lynn. We did as much recycling and scavenging as possible, which helped. And we gave ourselves ten years which also helped to see the big picture and do things as we had a little money.

[Just a Plane Ride Away]

Wow--what a labour of love! I imagine you've spent many many relaxing hours in your beautiful garden.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Hi, "Ride"! It is a labor of love plus more than a bit of obsession. I should also note that we don't have children or it would be impossible to do this in terms of time or money.

PS — I've visited your blog and also recognize you as a commenter from Pigtown.

[Benny13]

Nice to see someone who really knows their subject. Good work on this.

[Air Jordans]

It's so lucky for me to find your blog! I am very glad, and welcome you visit mine.

[Sara swain]

the garden is looking great, im in the process of creating a bamboo water feature in a DIY style, hopefully it will look like a profession job like this but at the moment that a long way off