"Embracing Nature: The Blooming Success of My Cottage Garden Project"

 It all turned out alright in the end. 

As many of you know, from my previous post, my journey with the pond feature has been quite the saga. But yesterday morning, as I sat by the water feature with my cup of coffee, I couldn't help but feel content. There’s something utterly delightful about the soothing sounds of running water; it truly sets the tone for a lovely day.

I'm so pleased to share that the pond has transformed into a beautiful little haven. 

Recently, last week, I received the lovely delivery of more pond plants, and because of my back, I had to just leave them in two buckets filled with hose water over night.

However I’ve managed to incorporate two of the new pond plants into this existing setup.

The rest have found a new home in another charming little micro habitat, I've created and it's again perfect for attracting my delightful garden insects

I’ve carefully curated a delightful selection of pond plants, all sourced from Amazon, that perfectly harmonize with the natural beauty of my surroundings. Each plant comes with its own square pond planter basket, accompanied by lovely pond soil, making the potting process a breeze. Just remember, it’s important to position each plant according to its water zone—most of my marginal pond plants cozy up in zone 1 or 2.

The first trio of enchanting additions to my pond comes from 'Lincolnshire Pond Plants Ltd.' I chose the delightful Blue Lobelia, the elegant American water plantain, and the ever-charming Myosotis, commonly known as Forget-Me-Nots. I was immediately drawn to the delightful colors of these blooms; once they start to flower, the soft whites, gentle purples, and lovely blues will create a picturesque scene in my garden. I can't wait to see the lovely Forget-Me-Nots trail gracefully from my pond, echoing their presence in the flower beds nearby.

A small tip I picked up along the way: while the square planter pots that accompany the plants can be handy, I found them a tad unwieldy for my rustic brick well water feature, which I was able to convert, from a fire pit by the previous owner. Instead, I opted for charming rounded pond planter pots that fit seamlessly into the cozy aesthetic I was aiming for. Those square pots may shine in a larger pond setting, but in my quaint little feature, a more traditional shape works wonders.

I still have a leftover plastic kitchen tub and two delightful tin buckets, which I plan to sink into the ground in various areas of the garden, and create more little wildlife spots, exactly like this

This will hopefully create accessible spots for other creatures to visit, such as frogs and hedgehogs, making it easier for them to slink about safely in their own mini oasis

Off course, this does mean I'll be needing to purchase more pond plants to populate these new water micro habitat zones that I envision. But I see it as a wonderful opportunity to enrich my garden and further invite nature in. 

Soon after setting up my first plants, I couldn’t resist buying more pond plants. My next haul went into my other little water tub water feature which I created at the top of my garden, in a separate post on here. 

However I took two from my new haul and added them to this brick well water feature, for more foliage and greenery. 

They are lovely varieties to my water haven: 'Juncus Inflexus' and 'Laevigata Iris,' which I procured from the wonderful nursery, 'Carbeth Plants.'

Despite facing a few hurdles along the way, I must say, the satisfaction of creating this tranquil spot has been so rewarding. I now get to enjoy the gentle sounds of trickling water from my solar pump, and I’m delighted to see insects bustling about, finding a refreshing drink at this cozy retreat.

Before

After

So here’s to embracing the beauty of cottage gardening! My little pond feature has turned into a peaceful haven, brimming with life and charm, and it’s a lovely reminder of the simple joys of country living. I look forward to sharing more of my gardening adventures with you all!

Warmly, Lindsay Blair

Tuesday 3rd June 2025