Anthony Archer-Wills is in the house!
Complete freedom of expression is achievable by making the pond larger. In this series of rock pools, it is obvious that the pond is just a "waterproof bag" into which all the wonderful complexity of nature can be arranged.
This koi pond is incorporated around the architecture of the house, with a wide flagstone bridge leading to the front door. French windows lead out to small viewing terraces, enabling one to view the pond from different angles and feed the fish. Although seemingly complex, there are still only three edging types — rock, flagstone and plants. All the rocks and stones are set within the liner, which is right up against the walls of the house.
This stone bridge has been carefully angled to create a smooth rhythm to the composition, with the actual pond rim kept well back and covered.
Lotus raise their heads well above the water to delight all who behold them. In this pool, they play a valuable role in purifying the water, greed-driving them to remove all the nutrients they can lay roots on.
The liner of this raised stone pond in France is sandwiched in stone, with wisteria
cascading downward, enhancing the feeling of age and beauty.
Selected plantings of Pontederia cordata
(pickerel plant) and Sagittaria (arrowhead) exaggerate the bays and inlets of this pond, whose hard edge is completely covered
in soil to allow a naturalistic appearance.
This photo shows dramatic reflections of palms and other plants in a tropical pond in Florida. Always consider foliage contrasts when planting close to pond edges.
Large areas of lotus and Nymphaea cover the shallower margins of this large, lined pond, creating a continuity of flowers throughout the summer.