Planting within and around natural water features and fountainscapes can be one of the most impactful and rewarding phases of any project. Whether contemporary or naturalistic, small or expansive, plants play essential roles in both the function and beauty of a living water ecosystem.
Functionally, plants help keep water clean by absorbing nutrients that algae would otherwise feed on. Aesthetically, their colors, textures and elevations can be used to direct attention, create privacy, soften edges, and either invite or restrict access to the water. Most importantly, plants establish the tone, energy and emotional character of a water feature.
Understanding the Role of Plants in Naturalistic Design
To create truly naturalistic water features and landscapes, plant selection and placement must be treated with the same level of importance as stone selection and placement.
Industry experts such as Brian Helfrich of Aquascape frequently emphasize this principle in advanced training workshops, encouraging landscapers to cover as much of the edging rock as possible with plant material. When plantings are allowed to mature, only the primary character boulders remain visible within the waterfalls, reinforcing a more authentic, natural look.
Over time, the collective presence of plantings creates a unique identity—an evolving personality—for each project. These landscapes are living systems. They grow, change and develop greater character year after year.
Plants also play a vital ecological role. They attract and sustain pollinators such as bees and butterflies, as well as dragonflies, birds and small wildlife. Thoughtful plant selection can create what might be described as a “hometown buffet,” for local birds and pollinators offering a diverse range of flowers and foliage that supports local ecosystems.
Plants Set the Tone and Energy
Beyond function, plants give a water feature its sense of place. They can evoke a tropical jungle, forested ravine, desert oasis, contemporary courtyard, English cottage garden or Japanese Zen retreat. The goal is to allow the planting style to guide the emotional and visual experience of the space. I often call my desired planting style here in Los Angeles – “California Zen”.
Plants set the tone and energy for the entire outdoor environment—whether lush and tropical or sparse and drought-tolerant. Harmony is key. Plants that would not naturally grow together should not be paired, such as succulents with lush, semi-tropical varieties.
When placed skillfully, plants complete the illusion of real nature and elevate a water feature to an entirely new level of realism.
Planting Within and Around the Water Feature
In successful projects, planting occurs both within and around the water feature to create the look and feel of authentic nature. This requires working with plants that thrive in dry soil, wet soil and directly in water.
This approach blurs the lines between aquatic and terrestrial spaces, making the feature feel fully integrated into its surroundings. Plants growing within the stream or pond, along with those in the adjacent borders, create a seamless visual and ecological transition.
Frequently used plants for these environments include chocolate mint (other mints are invasive), yellow carex sweet flag, juncus, water iris, dwarf philodendron, canna lily and cyperus papyrus.
Because we like to plant in all of the small soil pockets and crevices around a pond, using smaller 4″ and ground cover flat plants can be very helpful. This not only gives us a ton of plants at a small cost to work with, but it allows us to put in plants into difficult and small locations.
Involving Clients in the Design Process
After 33 years of designing and creating outdoor living spaces, I have learned the value of inviting my clients to participate in the development of their plant list.Encouraging client participation helps ensure that each project reflects both sound design principles and personal taste.
I begin by creating a master list organized into five categories: trees, shrubs, plants, ground covers and vines. I intentionally include more plants than I plan to use, giving clients a wide range of options to consider.
When I email the list, I ask clients to search each plant online and provide feedback using a simple system: red light means no, yellow light means maybe and green light means they love it. This process invites them into the creative journey and allows their personal taste to shape their own private paradise.
Once feedback is received, the final plant list can be refined and a suggested budget developed for this phase of the project.
Plant placement, however, is best handled by experienced professionals. Successful landscapes are installed with short-, medium- and long-term growth in mind so that they look strong on day one and continue to improve over time.
Budgeting for Maximum Impact
getting nestled in the waterfall and surrounding borders.
After finalizing the plant list, a suggested budget can be developed based on plant sizes and quantities. Most clients agree with my recommendations, but if they want to spend more or less, that is always their choice.
While the planting phase is often the least expensive part of a project, it produces some of the most dramatic long-term results as the landscape matures, while also providing additional revenue. Over the years, I have had several projects where I earned more from the planting phase than from the water feature itself.
Additionally, proper irrigation is a critical component of long-term success and should never be omitted. Without it, even the best plant selections will struggle to thrive.
Why Formal Planting Plans Are Not Always Necessary
Unless required for HOA approval or city permitting, detailed planting plans are not always necessary. Working with a 2d plan constrains creativity and is not as effective as placing all the plants myself, from tallest (trees) to shortest (ground covers).
On-site placement allows designers to work organically, arranging plants by hand. I recommended that plants be installed from largest to smallest: 5-gallon stock first, followed by 1-gallon plants, 4-inch plants and finally ground cover flats.
This approach allows for a harmonized blend of colors, textures and elevations while staying true to a single unified design theme.
When formal plans are required, they can be developed for an additional fee depending on the level of detail needed.
Many professionals prefer hand-drawn plans for this process, as the number of small plant varieties often makes detailed digital plans impractical. However, softwares do exist for this, should a designer choose to use them.
Municipalities, property managers and HOAs may also require compliance with approved or restricted plant lists, which should be always reviewed before finalizing selections.
Principles of Placement
Plant placement can be organized into three general size categories:
- Short (1 inch to 1 foot): Creeping plants placed in front and along edges to soften transitions without blocking views.
- Medium (1 to 3 feet): Positioned along the sides and upper portions of waterfalls.
- Tall (3 to 12 feet): Shrubs and ornamental or shade trees placed behind the feature.
Balancing texture is equally important. Five primary texture groups should be represented:
- Busy (small leaves, such as sages)
- Spiky (flax, Dietes vegeta)
- Big leaf (philodendron, canna)
- Whispy (ferns)
- Creeping (polygonum, rosemary)
Overusing any one texture can make a landscape feel flat. Balance ensures visual interest and natural harmony.
The Case for Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is one of the most effective methods for watering plants around water features. In regions with strict watering restrictions, such as Southern California, drip systems offer a compliant and highly efficient solution compared to traditional sprinklers or sprayers. However, regardless of location, builders should always consider their local climate, seasonal rainfall patterns and USDA planting zones when designing irrigation systems.
Broadcast watering can waste up to 70% of water through misting and evaporation, and what does reach the ground often penetrates only a half-inch to 1 inch into the soil before running off. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the base of each plant, allowing it to percolate slowly and deeply. This encourages roots to chase the water and grow downward, resulting in stronger, healthier plants and improved hillside stability over time.
Designing for Life, Not Just for Looks
When planting is approached with the same intentionality as stonework, hydraulics and structural design, a water feature becomes more than a visual centerpiece—it becomes a living, evolving ecosystem. Thoughtful plant selection, proper placement and regionally appropriate irrigation practices allow landscapes to mature naturally, gaining character and ecological value over time.
For pond builders, planting is not a finishing touch; it is a foundational design element that defines the identity, longevity and emotional impact of every project. When plants and water are designed to work together, the result is a space that feels authentic, resilient and truly alive.
| Soil Plants Around Water Features |
| Trees Redbud – Cercis Japanese Maple Weeping Mullberry Strawberry Tree – Arbutus Angels Trumpet – Brugmansia Datura (all parts of this plant toxic to dogs) |
| Shrubs Cyperus Papyrus Philadendron large and small Hibiscus Duranta Variegated Echium Variegated Ceaonothus Abutilons Hydrangea |
| PLANTS: Sages – many varities Agapanthus Gauria Leonotis Rosemary Plectranthus Tradescantia Lamium Yarrow Heliocrysum Yellow Anigozanthos |
| GROUND COVERS: Polygonum Chocolate Mint Campanula Viola Vinca minor Spider Plant |
| VINES: Bouganvilla Black Eyed Susan Grape |
| Water Plants |
| Lilies |
Water and Soil Plants |
| Dwarf Philadendron Cyperus Papyrus all sizes Ruelia Carex Yellow Sweetflag Creeping Jenny Chocolate Mint Polygonum Pink Clover Juncus Water Iris VINES: Bouganvilla Black Eyed Susan Jasmine Honeysuckle |
Invasive Plants to Avoid |
| Any kind of mint other than Chocolate Egyptian Paper Plant – Papyrus Pampass Grasses Water lettuce |
About the Author
James Hiestand has been designing and creating award-winning outdoor living spaces with water features for over 33 years in California and Oregon. He is the owner and operator of DreamScapes Water Features and Landscaping LLC in Los Angeles, Ca. His Passion for connecting people with Nature’s Healing Energy translates into every unique DreamScape. In 2010, James became a Certified Aquascape Contractor and has since worked his way up to becoming a Master CAC. Proficient at creating Fountainscapes, Natural Pondless Waterfalls, Ponds and Recreation Swimming Ponds, James designs and installs only one DreamScape at a time.
