Water Gardening: Need some help with a pond idea., 1 by lilygrower

lilygrower wrote:
Hi everyone. I am moving my pond and while doing that we are enlarging it as well. I was watching an episode on HGTV called Gardener's Diary. Anyway, this couple had what they called a rain tree in their pond. I am going to try to describe it the best that I can because I want to replicate it, but with a couple of changes. I have a finial that is made to be a fountain (picture is below). What I am planning on doing is using a block type platform in the center of the pond (with hole so that I can run my tubing), on top of that I am going to place a large cast stone birdbath top with a hole drilled in the center for tubing. Ok, the birdbath will set like 4 inches above the water in the pond. In the center of the birdbath I am going to run the tubing into the finial. The water will come out the top of the finial, I will have it set so that it's a gentle over pour even with the top of the finial, I don't want spouting of any kind. Here is the part where I am getting hung up. I want to plant something, I think that the people in the show had some sort of moss, so that it covers the birdbath top and goes all around the base of the finial. This is the cool part. The water would softly come down from the finial and then into the moss and then fall into the pond sounding like rain. What kind of plant could I use to get that effect and what could I plant it in so that I don't have a big soil mess? Please anyone with ideas chime in, I am very determined to get a similar effect, I just love the whole concept. This is going very close to my new brick patio. Thanks in advance.

Steph