Water Gardens & Phytodepuration

How to choose a pond for a water garden ? How does phytodepuration work ? Which plants ?

Here is our expert advice on water gardens, water treatment and phytodepuration!

What types of ponds for a water garden ?

Before creating a water garden, you need to create a water feature - a fountain or garden pond. There are several types of ponds:

• The lagoon, otherwise known as ecological pond. Lagooning is a filtration and maintenance method that creates a very slow flow of wastewater by gravity in shallow ponds. They act as filters by removing impurities and bacteria from the water. These ponds can be sealed with a synthetic geomembrane or, more rarely, with a layer of compacted clay.

• The swimming pool, also called natural pool. Unlike a traditional pool, no chlorine or other chemicals are used in a swimming pool. A pump circulates the water to the plant filter and makes the water clear, clean and healthy. This is called the principle of phytodepuration.

• The ornamental pond can exist in different forms or structures, but it is always a closed circuit of water where fauna and flora cohabit.

How to build an aquatic pond ?

For an aquatic pond, it is possible to use a preformed pond (rigid wall) or a cover (flexible wall). The simplest solution is the preformed version, because the pond is stronger and the shape is already established. However, the preformed pond is more expensive than the liner. The flexible walls of the latter allow the shape of the pond to be determined. It is also a way to control the depth of water needed for each plant, as this can vary: some need to have their feet in shallow water while others need depth. Finally, it gives more room for imagination and creativity, for unique, custom-made ponds.

How to keep a water garden clean with phytodepuration ?

The phytodepuration system uses plants to purify and clean the water. Thanks to the components of the plant roots, the water is purified and clean. This technique has many advantages. It allows to use a 100% natural process since it is the plants that clean the water, while saving water and electricity. This process is therefore entirely ecological and contributes to the preservation of the environment.

Moreover, this process is much less expensive than an electric purification system. It only requires the purchase of plants and an annual maintenance of the pit.

Which plants to use for a water garden ?

In order to create a water garden and set up a phytosanitary system, it is necessary to find and insert the most suitable plants. There is a wide variety of plants, but three main categories can be distinguished:

• Submerged plants

• Bank plants

• Floating plants

They occupy the entire pond, regardless of the depth of the water. Plants are needed for each level in order to properly clean the entire pond or body of water.

A landscaper for a water garden ?

A water garden professional will advise you directly on the appropriate plants, but also on the ponds that you wish to integrate into your outdoor décor. It is preferable to be surrounded by professionals for the realization of these gardens, because of the many elements to be taken into account, whether it is the size, the shape and the positioning of the pond, the technical constraints or the realization of the project.

The plants are the central part of your water garden, ensuring the natural cleaning of the pond and its natural filtration, so they must be chosen and planted with great care.

SIMONSON LANDSCAPE accompanies you in all your projects of aquatic gardens and natural ponds for your exteriors, then do not hesitate to contact us to exchange on your desires!

SIMONSON LANDSCAPE, specialist in water gardens and phyto-purification, received the Plant Palette Award at Chaumont-sur-Loire (41), the Public Award at the Côte d'Azur Festival at the Villa Rothschild in Cannes (06), and the Special Jury Award from the European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) with the Terres de Promesses garden for the Jardins de la Paix at Souain-Perthes-lès-Hurlus (51) with Arts & Jardins Hauts-de-France.

Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be delighted to answer your questions and to accompany you on your project of aquatic garden and phyto-purification!