Gills Just Wanna Have Fun

Or do Andy and Mike just wanna have fun? 

Yesterday Andy finally had enough of the murky looking water of Gwynedd Pond in the garden next to the Rehab. Sludge begone! Andy has built and maintains three ponds on the property - Gwynedd pond by the Rehab, Abington West pond across from the Fitness Center, and the Japanese garden pond along Main Street. It surprised me to hear the Gwynedd Pond we were cleaning was 15 years old?! It still looking amazing due to Andy's continuous care. 

A hidden oasis

 I came along for the some pictures and to demonstrate my keen fish catching abilities, I'm from the South and grew up noodling Catfish. I'm totally joking but did I get you there for a second? No I did not grow up noodling fish but I sure love all animals and catching the koi for a pond refresh sounded like a good time.

One fish? 

Two fish

Bog fashion 

A heavy pump was placed in the pond to begin draining the water. As the water lowered the fish wrangling began. Andy and I caught the fish and placed them in a large bin filled with the pond water. Several fish, especially the larger more frilly looking Koi, were hiding out under a large rock. We got 'em though. Mike began to power wash from the upper part of the pond downward after the water had emptied. Nothing like mysterious pond muck sprayed into your face. 

The comically long hose

Mike power washing

The heavy pump 

After all the fish were removed and the water emptied, Andy cleaned out filters and sludge from inside the pond. Some Iris were moved around too. Mike power washed and then hosed off the rest of the pond. The pond was refilled, beneficial bacteria was added and the fish were returned. The entire process took just a couple hours as Andy has done this many times. 

This little pond garden is a peaceful spot through the seasons. I'm sure many can see the unique flowers of  Edgeworthia chrysantha blooming along the window in late Winter. Iris bloom in and around the pond in the Spring and in the Summer water lilies (nymphaea) hold their heads up out of the water, brightening up the pond. A sea of purple and pinks follows in the Fall with native Asters (Symphyotrichum) blooming, attracting a Monarch who was still lingering about. 

Winter lit up by the fragrant Edgeworthia shrub 

Iris in the Spring

Water lilies in the Summer 

Native Asters of various pinks and purples in the Fall

A monarch kept me company the other week 

A quick plant highlight! Right now the stunning Azure blue of Aconitum carmichaelii "Arendsii" aka monkshood or wolfsbane blooms along the windows. This is a great plant for fall blooms as it blooms from September to October. It prefer moist soils so if you have more wet areas it would be perfect - and deer don't bother it. However, this plant is highly toxic hence being deer resistant. Ingesting it would be a very, very bad idea. 

The common name wolfsbane originated in the Middle Ages when this plant was believed to ward off well, werewolves. Witches in the Dark Ages were said to use it in spells and witchcraft. In Ancient Greece, poisonous arrows were made from the plant to use for hunting. This is a plant with a rich and murderous history but dang that blue color! 

The blue Aconitum flowers pairs nicely with orange cosmos. 

That blueeee! 

This particular species in not native but there are several species native to the United States. Aconitum uncinatum is native to the eastern US where it is listed as endangered in several states. This is a very cool plant that has a vine like habit - it's hard to find though and i'm still hunting it down! There are several other species native out west as well. 

A more in depth pond blog will be out eventually but our pond wizard Andy continues to maintain the ponds and is dreaming up more water feature ideas for the property. Water features add a very tranquil element to a garden, do you like them? What is your favorite feature?

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