The Martha Stewart Show

Water Garden

The Martha Stewart Show

Martha shows you how to create a water garden for your home -- it's a Good Thing.

Making a Water Garden

Not only will a water garden enhance your landscape, but you'll also soon notice new wildlife that will be attracted to it. You'll be delighted by the number of birds, dragonflies, butterflies, and frogs stopping by for a visit.

Water Garden How-To
1. Choose a waterproof container of any size or shape.

2. Select plants that are easily grown in indoor or outdoor water gardens.

3. Place potted plant in container.

4. Cover with several inches of gravel to weigh down.

5. Fill container halfway with water using a watering can.

6. Fertilize monthly with standard fertilizer, or use a mixture of compost tea and fish.

7. Place in bright location.

8. Keep water level consistent; fill as needed.

Aquatic Plant Glossary
Umbrella Papyrus (Cyperus involucratus)
Umbrella papyrus, which has slender grasslike leaves that fall like an umbrella, can grow to 10 feet tall.

Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)
A tropical perennial, the elephant ear's corm, or plant stem, is used for food but it must be cooked. It is also known as "taro" or "black magic" because of the dark purplish color on the leaves.

Blue Rush (Juncus patens 'Carman's Grey')
Although it produces brown flowers, the blue rush's tall, blue foliage makes it unique.

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
The water hyacinth, a free-floating perennial has roots that hang below water and a bulbous base that allows it to float. Its leaves are beautiful and shiny, and it produces lavender to pinkish flowers.

Resources
All plants featured on today's show can be found at gardening stores.

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The Martha Stewart Show

Water Garden

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