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My Koi Pond in the Backyard

Gardening, Pond August 31, 2020

Today is the last day of August and I realize I haven’t shared much of my koi pond this year. That’s probably because I’ve spent so much time enjoying it as opposed to photographing it. Plus I always feel like photos just don’t do it justice.

Backyard Koi Pond in the Summer

 

Waterfall in a Backyard Pond with Koi and Waterlilies

 

Pink and Purple Waterlilies in a Backyard Koi Pond

 

We’ve been going through a bit of drought here which means we’ve had to water the garden – a lot. Expect for the aquatic plants like the waterlilies and marginals. No watering needed so they’re much less maintenance than terrestrial plants. This purple hardy waterlily is called Violicious. It comes back every year.

Hardy Violicious Waterlilies in Garden Pond

 

And this large soft pink beauty is Madam Wilfred Gonere. She comes back every year, too.

Madame Wilfred Gonere Hardy Waterlily

 

There’s a saying in the pond community which goes, “If you build it, they will come.” And sure enough, the critters do come! Frogs, dragonflies …

Frog on Lilypad in Koi Pond

 

I love the frogs in the spring when they start singing during mating season. It’s a wonderful melody although sometimes they get pretty loud.

Another visitor to our pond this summer was a baby snapping turtle. Actually, he’s a transplant. Hubby found him all alone on the cart path at the golf course. If he sticks around and gets bigger, I’ll take him to work. We have a “turtletopia” for rescue turtles.

Baby Snapping Turtle in Backyard Pond

 

Every koi pond needs koi, right? I have four of them. This guy – a shusui koi who loves to eat, the smaller orange one behind him, and two beautiful butterfly koi that I haven’t photographed yet. I also have two golden orfes that are bright orange and a couple of shubunkins. I can tell this koi is male because his body is torpedo shaped. Females are more rounded (go figure).

Shusui Koi in Backyard Garden Pond Eating Fish Food

 

Another aquatic plant is water hyacinth that floats atop the water. Its roots dangle in the water soaking up nutrients in the koi pond while it produces beautiful light purple flowers. Water plants compete with algae for nutrients so it’s always good to have them in your pond to keep algae to a minimum.

Water Hyacinth Bloom in a Garden Pond

 

You might have forget-me-nots in your garden, but did you know there’s an aquatic version of this old-fashioned charmer?

Water Forget-Me-Nots in a Backyard Koi Pond

 

I can’t tell you how much of a stress-reliever my koi pond has been for me. The moment I step into the backyard I feel more relaxed and serene. Especially during our pandemic, it’s been a bright spot in a challenging time.

Waterfall in a Backyard Pond with Koi and Waterlilies

 

I love spending time at home out here, listening to the waterfall, watching the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, spotting new frogs on lilypads, and watching the golden orfes chase each other around the pond.

Coralbells by a Koi Pond and Deck

I hope you enjoyed seeing my pond again, but it really needs to be seen in person to get the full effect.

 

Pond installed by Aquascape Construction
Products and inspiration by Aquascape, Inc.
Find a Certified Aquascape Contractor in your area!

 

Here’s a short video of my koi pond at night with the underwater lights on!

 

See More of My Koi Pond:

My Backyard Transformation with a Garden Pond

Easy Outdoor Fall Decorating with Mums

The Beauty and Serenity of a Backyard Pond

Garden Pond Tour: My Favorite Outdoor Space

 

 

Filed Under: Gardening, Pond24 Comments

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Comments

  1. Melissa Newell says

    August 31, 2020 at 7:12 am

    We love our Koi pond…getting a lot of love this season with being home so much…..lovely area!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      It’s just the best, isn’t it? I always feel so blessed when I enjoy it. I’m glad you have a special place to relax and unwind!

      Reply
    • Anja says

      September 1, 2020 at 8:04 am

      Gorgeous .We love our koi pond too,but our koi’s rip the waterlilies apart.
      And I love them especially the white ones.

      Reply
  2. Irma says

    August 31, 2020 at 8:31 am

    I had water hyacinths in my pond in NC but they are illegal in Florida where I live now They were so beautiful and kept the algae away..

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Irma – water hyacinths can get pretty aggressive. I just keep thinning mine out. I put one in a Patio Pond on my deck and now it’s full of them. LOL. But still, the flowers are so pretty so I don’t mind.

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    August 31, 2020 at 8:34 am

    Stunning! It’s like enjoying a mini vacation every time you step into this little spot of paradise! Enjoy!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      Linda, you’re right! It’s totally like having your own vacation spot. It’s such a blessing.

      Reply
  4. Miche Ortega says

    August 31, 2020 at 8:55 am

    Jennifer, that pond is gorgeous. The lilies are so beautiful they look artificial. You have a piece of heaven out your backdoor.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      Thanks, Miche! The waterlilies amaze me every year. They always look happy and healthy!

      Reply
  5. Vicki Bray says

    August 31, 2020 at 9:40 am

    Your pond looks so inviting! The pictures even made me feel calm I can’t imagine being there in person. Simply lovely! The pond flowers are stunning! I simple adore frogs and turtles such interesting little fellows. The beautiful colors of the koi truly magnificent. Thank you so much for sharing your pond.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:22 pm

      Thanks Vicki! I always wonder what I’m going to see when I go out to the pond. A new bloom, a new critter, there’s always something!

      Reply
  6. Marlene Stephenson says

    August 31, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Your pond is really filling out nicely since last year and i can just imagine how much you enjoy it. Thanks for sharing,

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Hi Marlene! I looked at pics from the first year and now it feels like a jungle. LOL. I do need to move one of my fig plants that’s becoming like the plant from Little Shop of Horrors. I was skeptical of the figs coming back every year in our garden zone but they sure are healthy!

      Reply
  7. Teddee Grace says

    August 31, 2020 at 10:12 am

    How beautiful! I would love the sound of the frogs. I grew up on a farm in Missouri and to the sound of tree frogs at night. I sometimes do vignettes and faux floral arrangements in the summer using lily pads and flowers so now I have some realistic images to consult and will keep this handy…also so I can view and listen to the video. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      Hi Teddee! Your floral arrangements sound so pretty! Have you ever included a lotus pod?

      Reply
  8. Pat says

    August 31, 2020 at 10:15 am

    Love seeing your pond again! I’m sure you enjoy it so much after your long snowy winters.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Pat! I sure do enjoy it after the winter and I dread having the snow and ice come and I won’t be able to see my fish for a couple of months. I do keep the waterfall running but it’s just not the same. 🙁

      Reply
  9. Lynda Schneider says

    August 31, 2020 at 10:58 am

    So beautiful! Love that baby turtle. So cute!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks Lynda! He’s cute now but he could get really big pretty quickly! LOL. At least I have a future home for him when that happens.

      Reply
  10. Kim Anne Lennie says

    August 31, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    Everything was so beautiful, I can understand wanting to just sit relax and enjoy all that it has to offer.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      You’re so right, Kim Anne. I feel like everyone should have a pond so they can experience it first-hand. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Christine Irvine says

    August 31, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful pond Jennifer. It’s lovely. What a blessing from God for you and your family.
    What happens to the koi in the winter?

    Christine
    New Hampshire

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 1, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Christine! Good question. The koi go dormant in winter. The pond needs to be at least two-feet deep for them to survive. They hang out at the very bottom of the pond and almost appear lifeless. You need to keep a hole in the surface of the ice for the exchange of gas. I keep my waterfall running all winter to keep a hole in the ice but if it gets really cold, I can add an aerator or de-icer to keep a hole open. It’s so much fun to see the koi swimming in spring after months of not seeing them!

      Reply
  12. Debra Hubbs says

    September 1, 2020 at 1:34 am

    Your pond is so beautiful! I’ve been enjoying mine as well. We also have frogs but no turtles. We’ve always had a ton of dragonflies but I don’t think they liked it this year as we kept netting over the pond and pond grasses to keep the herons away as they kept coming by. The dragonflies used to spend a lot of time on and in the grasses so I think it deterred some or kept them from breeding more…not sure. Only saw a few though. Next year I must get some more plants as we only had one lily left and our koi ruined it during the several spawnings they did lol. I love your water lilies and hyacinth. So pretty. I will miss seeing my fish in a couple of months when they go deep to hibernate for the winter.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life.

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