Tucked away in Denver’s Hampden Heights neighborhood is a tropical paradise. Fragrant plumeria blossoms, splashing water, and colorful koi make every day feel like a vacation for Tami Anderson.
“It’s a wonderful oasis. The fish are my pets. I can sit on the deck, dangle my feet, and they nibble at my toes.”
Tami and her husband, Les, along with their three daughters, took two months in the summer of 1998 to create their garden pool. The L-shaped pond hugs the entire back deck of the house. They built a floating deck over the pond, making it easier for Anderson to hand-feed her fish. Twelve koi and one large goldfish call the pond home.
The Andersons dug the pond themselves – all 30 feet of it. They installed an Aquascape whole pond system that includes a skimmer, pump, biofilter, and flexible liner. Together they shoveled 8 tons of small boulders, river rock and pea gravel to create the informal pool.
Because the pond works as an ecosystem, the circulating water, rocks, plants, fish and natural bacteria work together to keep it in perfect balance. The pump circulates the water and the biofilter keeps the water clear. Lava rock functions as a holding ground for bacteria and helps purify the water. Plants create oxygen for the fish; the fish graze on algae; and the waste helps plants grow.
In addition to a 4-foot deep waterfall, the garden features several small bubbling fountains, adding to the sensory experience. “Everyone comments on how relaxing it is out here,” says Anderson.
Because aquatic plants are an important part of the pond’s natural filtration system, Anderson grows a combination of submerged oxygenating plants, bog plants, floating plants rooted in the bottom of the pond and true floating plants.
Clusters of submergible hardy pink, white and yellow water lilies float alongside tall purple water irises. The twisting stems of green corkscrew rush grow along the water’s edge. Purple water hyacinths float free on the pond’s surface, their roots suspended in the clear water. Bright red and orange water cannas bloom throughout the summer.
Bamboo, ornamental grasses and succulents are planted nearby to complement the aquatic plants and add depth to the garden. Whimsical sculptures accent the landscape.
The pond is a reflection of Anderson’s love of water. As a Pisces, she’s a fish person and has always tended aquariums. Her first water garden was a self-contained pond created on the fourth-floor balcony of an apartment building.
The Andersons’ water garden provides four seasons of enjoyment. Underwater lights are a must, she says. She uses a timer to make sure the lights automatically turn on each evening, year-round.
Because the water circulates continuously, it never completely freezes, even during the coldest winter. “It makes the most beautiful icescapes over the waterfall.”
Careful planning is key to creating a beautiful living water garden. “Know what you want and do it right the first time,” she advises. “We made the mistake of starting too small, and we got bored with it. We ended up adding to the pond later.”
Water gardens aren’t as difficult to maintain as people think, she says. “It’s virtually maintenance free. The biopads are rinsed in spring. Live bacteria, to control the algae, are added in spring, summer and fall.”
Caring for her water pets and plants seems to be a happy chore for Anderson. “It’s relaxing to walk barefoot in the pond trimming the lilies.”
