Alan from Carolina Pondscapes takes time to adjust plants at the Home Shown in Greensboro.

Recently I met Alan and Sherry Koontz, owners and designers of Carolina Pondscapes, Inc. They invited me to critique their watergarden at the Southern Ideal Home Show at the Greensboro Coliseum last weekend. This particular design, featuring an Oriental motif, utilized over 40 tons of rocks. Yet even the smallest details were taken care of, from the types of lighting fixtures to the species of fish. Just the sound of the water running through and across the rocks and flowing into the pond was almost hypnotic. I could have spent the day just lounging by the pond. I guess that's the idea. It gives you a special place to sit and enjoy nature. But the true appeal is that this can be in your own backyard.

Sherry has been in the business for about six years, while husband Alan recently joined in on the fun. He was a career military man before joining the business world. He had always enjoyed taking pictures of nature, and now he enjoys taking part in creating natural watergardens.

"I joined Sherry when she ventured out on her own and learned most of what I know from her," he smiles.

The first of my many questions is: How do I choose the size and theme?

Sherry and Alan are available to help in that department. Alan suggests that sometimes it's best to work off of what already exists in your yard. You want the watergarden to be in a part of the yard that you enjoy. The garden can be small or very large like the one they built at the Home Show. They also believe strongly in giving something back to the community. They recently did a pond for the students at Allen Jay Elementary as an educational project so kids can learn about the natural elements involved in ponds.

"It adds beauty to the school, which makes it more enjoyable for the children," said Sherry. She hopes to see other professional landscapers follow in their footsteps. (If you haven't noticed, the school's landscaping could use some help.)

Many people have a misconception about the amount of work that a watergarden requires. Actually, very little maintenance is necessary. They have pumps and skimmers just like swimming pools, which keeps down that work that most of us dread.

"A lot of people have misconceptions of the watergardens due to the kits that are available at hardware and home and garden stores," claims Sherry. "The pumps that typically come with those are not strong enough to do the job correctly, and filters tend to be inadequate. Most kits do not include a skimmer. Skimmers take most of the work out of a watergarden much like a pool. Beware of the kits; you don't always get what you think you're getting." Another misconception with watergardens is that they won't do well during the wintertime.

"Actually they do just fine," maintains Sherry. "The fish hide beneath the surface and do just fine. "When we build a pond we take all the elements of the natural environment into consideration. We try to work with the natural elements that already exist in your yard or home."

In your home? "Oh yes," she grins. "We can build one in your home, too. We've built ponds in entrances of retirement centers. The people at the homes really seem to enjoy the beauty, especially since they don't get out as much. "A lot of people enjoying playing in their gardens, and this is just another section of it. One of the most rewarding things that our customers do is call us after we have put their watergarden and tell us how much they enjoy them and how relaxing they find it." The Facts: Carolina Pondscapes is a licensed contractor primarily specializing in the design and construction of natural-looking water features. They can construct, maintain, clean and provide consultations and supplies for all residential and commercial customers. Estimates are free. Deciding whom to call on to build your watergarden can be a difficult choice. Some of the questions Alan and Sherry suggest you should ask include:

• Do they provide free esti-mates?
• Do they have references?
• Ask to see some of the watergardens they have already built.
• Do they maintain them?
• Do they provide warranties?

For more information call Alan & Sherry at Carolina Pondscape at 336-882-9147. And check out their Web site at: http://www.carolinapondscapes.com/.