A soothing trickle of water pours from a bamboo spigot cloaked by a Japanese maple. I want a more natural-looking set up, and that's what I've gone for. I like some of the weeds that have shown up because they are natural. Part of the fun of water gardening is landscaping with water plants. It is also an important factor in maintaining healthy, fresh water, said Wake.
Water plants help shade the water and they also compete for the same nutrients that the algae wants.
The plants help filter the water naturally. The more plants you have, the less algae you will have. In fact, if you have the right balance, few fish and lots of plants, you really don't need to have a filter. Most of Wake's pond is filled with plants such as water hyacinths, dwarf water lilies, sedges and pickerel rush. He does, however, spend an hour a week skimming algae and moss out of it.