Wonderful idea! We're suckers for anything green and plant-like. We promptly turned the project over to another architect, this time, a specialist in Landscape Design.
The landscape architect is much in-demand for projects involving resorts and such. I'm so glad he took on this project, which is rather small by his standards - more of a micro Zen garden. He suggested putting in a pond with a waterfall. Complete with man-made boulders, and a mural of a mountain in the background.
And so it was.
Close-up of a Fern that grew wild, in the fern slabs that were attached to the wall.
Wider shot:
Part of the mural that the architect himself painted on the wall, depicting a forest-covered mountain. The "root" cords are made of epoxy, molded by hand, and affixed to the wall. The mural is doing very well, even if it is exposed to the elements. This photo was taken when the painting was about 10 years old.
For the pond greenery, we were limited by the low-light conditions available to the area - so I planted Cryptocorynes and Anubias. Both plants thrive well in low light.
A tangle of Cryptocorynes - these have adjusted well and are now quite lush.
Once you created a hospitable and welcome environment, it's inevitable that others will find it pleasing as well. Here, two kinds of ferns took root, brought along by spores carried from the winds. Welcome to my garden, ferns!
Adiantum capillus-veneris
And, well, Fernus Ferni. Ok, so this is still up for ID. Patrick? Help?
It's amazing that the design was able to incorporate a pond AND a waterfall, considering the space limitations. The pump is a strong one. Quite a torrent of water in this particular waterfall.
We have three functioning "waterfalls". It was an artform - calibrating the amount of water that goes into each hose, so that there's a balance of flow in all three outlets.
The effect is quite natural, specially when the patina of moss covered the boulders.
There is a plan, afoot, to turn this pocket garden into a closet, since we were not able to put in enough closet space for the house. I hope it doesn't happen, though.
Pockets of serenity are important in our lives. It's a wonderful thing, to turn on the waterfall and listen to the sound it makes. It's quite amusing to see the fish scrambling about, trying to get your attention, and begging for food. It's amazing, how in their tiny communal brain, they associated human beings with providers of sustenance - and they do beg for food, much like a puppy.
I like the way this pond has matured. Algae and moss has crept in, giving it a more natural look. This in turn, provided a haven where ferns can thrive.
Life unfolds beyond the sliding door.
One merely has to step outside in order to observe and participate.
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