In the above example, the pond that was built for this homeowner, using the industry-leading "system", and their materials and techniques, has numerous defects, both aesthetically and construction-wise.

1. Extremely "high" triangular waterfall build...does not blend with the lay of the land and noticeably "sticks up".
2. Rocks are too similar in size..not enough definition, shadowing; boulders of different heights are more pleasing to the eye.
3. Skimmer Filter is exposed! The whole point of the waterfeature is to make it look natural, and seeing a large, bulky, black filter ruins the presentation.
4. Rough, abrupt transition from patio to waterfeature..Ideally, it should be a flowing, natural change.
5. Tall, skinny, meager waterfall! Waterflow is extremely slow, and waterfall has no natural looking character.
6. Background is exposed, giving the waterfall an "installed" look. The popular system that was used to install this feature is notorious for its unspectacular ponds.
   
   

   ---

   
   
   

   Here is another example of an aesthetically questionable pond. The biggest omission is a focal point in the design, such as a large shrub or tree, or waterfall.
   
   Top Picture
   
   

   1. Where is a waterfall? No water flow to be seen.
   2. Exposed liner and foundation, as well as piping.
   3. Rockwork is bland and uninspired. The flat rock is layered and looks like a stack-stone wall.
   4. Elephant ear plant is usually waterbound, not part of landscaping (though it can).
   5. Rock shelf and boundary too symmetrical, showing the dreaded "necklace" effect!
      
      Bottom Picture
      
      
      1. Symmetrical, straight-edged rock border. No height differential, poor transition from sidewalk, thus the dreaded "necklace" effect.
      2. Sparse plantings, too much exposed water surface. This can lead to a major algae build-up, as well as giving little protection to the fish from predators.
      3. Exposed liner and piping, as well as dead plantlife. Poor owner upkeep can degrade the aesthetics of the waterfeature.
      4. Another view of the poor transition from sidewalk to water: concrete to brick edging to flat rock.
         
         

         ---

         A Few more selections!
         Some of these were installed by "professional" installers and landscapers: we basically went in and either rebuilt the pond completely after a tearout, or fixed the problems that the homeowner could not handle or understand, due to faulty installation.
         Acceptable....?? Uninspired..Yes!
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

         ---

         As a homeowner, would you be proud to show off this work? Does it look natural or man-made? Are these examples aesthetically pleasing, relaxing,and unique, or do they look like puzzles?

         At Carolina Pondscapes, these examples are the antithesis of how we install our waterfeatures. We take pride in custom-installed ponds and streams, and no two features look exactly the same. Kits, especially from the so-called "national leader of watergarden installations", show unoriginality and too much uniformity, for the sake of convienence. We enjoy letting Mother Nature direct our vision!
         
         [ Home ]