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for plants like water lilies, lotuses, water ferns and others that they couldn't have before," Helfrich explained. Plants, like fish, help balance a pond's ecosystem. Plants pro- vide valuable biological filtration that removes nitrogen, ammonia, nitrates and other minerals from pond water. These excess nutri- ents are often the cause of unsightly water conditions. Depth is a critical component for any successful water garden. Certain plants won't grow in shallow water, and others won't grow in deep water. Recreation/swim ponds Recreation ponds, also called swim ponds, are most popular in Europe and are beginning to catch on in the United States. "My generation is used to swimming in murky ponds where the fish and plants are out of sight out of mind," Helfrich said. "Recreation/ swim ponds are crystal clear — you can see the bottom and the fish — so it takes some people some getting used to." Recreation ponds are as diverse as the homeowners who request them. "The one at my house is large enough for my kids to get in with swimmies and snorkel around while the adults can take in a lounge chair and sit in it," he explained. Some clients may request a pond large enough to swim a lap in. Others may be more interested in creating a beach like entrance or incorporating a swim-up bar. "There are no chemicals and no chlorine, it's an all-natural eco-system that one can swim in too," he said. "The aquatic plants act as the filtration system in wetlands to clean the ponds." Patio ponds Just because clients living in ubran areas are limited on available space doesn't mean they have to go without a pond. Patio ponds bring the soothing sights and sounds of a water feature to a deck or patio of any size. A single water lily or a few fish may be all a client needs to appreciate the serenity a water feature can provide. Contained in a stone bowl, trough or decorative container, a patio pond can hold a "mini" water garden in any setting. According to Helfrich, patio ponds allow everyone to enjoy the hobby. Shape, size and finished look will vary from one manufacturer to another providing for an option to suit any client's tastes. Though smaller than ponds found on suburban or rural proper- ties, patio ponds can be enhanced with fountains, illumination and other desired features. It's a lifestyle "Ponds are never an impulse purchase," Helfrich said. "Ponds trigger a memory from childhood, or a person has watched a neighbor enjoy their pond the last few years and decides it's time to put one on their property." Regardless of the motivation for installing a pond, clients will tell you it's better than a swimming pool. "Ponds bring in so much wildlife. They bring in thousands of varieties of birds, turtles and butterflies," he concluded. "For families with kids, it becomes the perfect outdoor classroom." Katie Navarra is a landscape industry professional based in New York. She is also an accomplished author and freelance correspondent with more than 200 articles to her credit. She can be reached via e-mail at katie navarra@yahoo.com. 28 Landscape and Irrigation September 2014 www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape Design and Construction Left: Recreation ponds are most popular in Europe, but are gaining in popularity in the United States. Right: Ponds can incorporate plants and fish into one beautiful water feature. Koi are the most popular fish for fish ponds, but other types of fish can be placed in a pond as well. LI