2019 IWGS Symposium.
Water gardening may seem like an established corner of the green industry, but in truth, it’s relatively young. Its journey from a hobby of the elite to a passion shared by homeowners and professionals alike is rich with innovation, trial and error, and creativity.
The Latour-Marliac Legacy
In the late 1800s, a man named Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac began hybridizing waterlilies. Between 1870 and 1880, he developed 19 new cultivars. These hybrids had compact root systems and eliminated the prolific seeding issues common to species plants. The result? Round islands of foliage crowned with vibrant flowers that were just as captivating then as they are today.
His work gained global attention when the new hybrids were showcased at the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Among those enchanted was Claude Monet, who later said, “It took me a while to understand my water lilies… Then suddenly I had a revelation and clearly saw these wonders on my pond.” Monet went on to paint the most iconic and influential waterlily art in history. But it wasn’t just the lilies that captivated him—it was the interplay of sky, ground, and reflection. To see his pond in real life is to witness that revelation firsthand.
The Birth of Backyard Ponds
As waterlily interest grew, formal concrete ponds began appearing at botanical gardens, zoos, and grand estates. Homeowners followed suit with basic cement bowls to house goldfish and a few plants. These “flying saucers” had no circulation, turned green quickly, and offered little in terms of longevity.
Innovation in Aquatic Plants
Throughout the 20th century, aquatic plant nurseries existed globally, but few produced container-grown plants for easy transport. That began to shift in the 1980s in the United States, when new growers emerged to meet a rising demand for backyard ponds. Even today, however, plant use in water features remains underutilized. Learn your plants, plan for them, and don’t be afraid to get creative.
In the early days, materials were mostly imported from Europe and expensive to ship. Mesh baskets leaked soil, and their loose roots didn’t meet American standards for “clean” design. Growers improvised, sometimes closing container holes with duct tape. Tall, narrow pots tipped over in the wind. Even soil and fertilizer presented challenges, as most products were designed for other agricultural uses. Wide, shallow containers without holes eventually became the standard for stability and effectiveness.
Thanks are due to pioneers like Wayne Davis, Ken Landon, and Ed Rosenthal, who developed aquatic fertilizers suited for different regions and growing conditions. Their efforts gave aquatic plants a reliable foundation.
Pond Building Breakthroughs
The introduction of flexible PVC liners, butyl rubber, and EPDM revolutionized pond building. These cost-effective options made backyard ponds attainable for average families. Popular kidney-shaped ponds with shallow shelves and stone coping around the edges dominated early designs. Today, edging techniques have evolved dramatically, creating more natural, seamless aesthetics.
Straight-line streams are out. Industry legends like Anthony Archer-Wills and authors like Rick Bartel have shown us how to create natural-looking streams, even on flat land, using strategic curves, elevation changes, and rock placements. Creativity in water movement is still one of the most underutilized elements in pond building.
Filtration’s Evolution
Equipment in the early years had its challenges. Pumps weren’t designed for continuous use in debris-heavy environments. Pipe and fittings were inconsistent in size. A graduated fitting was once considered revolutionary. Filtration systems often relied on gravel beds that clogged easily. Maintenance was labor-intensive. Eventually, filter pads helped, and today’s new media options simplify the process even further.
In the last 40 years, the industry has blossomed. Container gardens gained popularity and helped spread water gardening nationwide. Misconceptions about mosquitoes created a market for small pumps and fountains that circulated water and kept it healthy. In truth, mosquitoes prefer stagnant puddles, not active ecosystems.
As demand grew, small ponds—4-by-6 feet and 8-by-10 feet—became the norm. Filtration systems improved with foam prefilters and magnetic drive pumps that were energy-efficient and reliable. Then came Joe B. Dekker’s revolutionary pond skimmer, featured in Home and Garden Magazine. His design improved surface oxygen exchange and made filter maintenance easier, offering a more enjoyable pond ownership experience.
Meanwhile, Dick Schuck introduced the 10% Solution—a separate pool for plants to filter the main pond. This inspired innovations like floating filtration islands and bottom aeration systems, laying the groundwork for modern wetland bog filters. Today, void-filling blocks serve both in filtration systems and decorative disappearing fountains.
So many of our solutions began as adaptations from other industries. Innovation has always been about problem-solving. Technology continues to enhance pumps, skimmers, filters and now, water treatments. Major investment is pouring into natural water quality improvement—repairing ecosystems from the bottom up.
One of the best things about working in a young industry is the willingness to share. Ideas, products and improvements come from all corners of the community. A recent natural swim pond build, hosted by the Pond Professionals Alliance, showcased this beautifully. It brought together Helix skimmers from Eric Triplett, bead filters, gravel bogs and Larry Carnes’ ozone technology—a masterclass in collaboration.
The Future is Flowing
The industry is still small compared to the broader horticultural and landscape markets. Turf, annuals, perennials and trees dominate most landscapes. Water features remain a specialty, but their potential is enormous. From fishing and wildlife ponds to natural swim ponds, there is plenty of room for growth.
In the 1980s, we didn’t have web developers, graphic designers or Google to find plant facts. Today, we have more tools, more data and more support. Yet the pond world still carries a romanticism that other sectors can’t quite match. With professionalism, education and a willingness to invest in our people, this corner of the industry will continue to flourish.
If you have a gap in your knowledge, fill it. Hire someone. Learn by doing. Attend trainings. Listen to podcasts. Surround yourself with creative people. Join the Pond Professionals Alliance if you build. Join the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society if you love plants. Use your resources. Fall in love with your work—and let that love make you better. α
“If I could rename every day of the year, I would look out at my garden and choose something beautiful, something rich and full of color that appeared on that very day. You can do that, you know. A well-planned garden never fails to offer inspiration and beauty every day of the year. That is the calendar by which I would like to live my life.” — Kurt Bluemel
