Here are some pictures of my backyard. I started on paper in 1995 and put the waterfall in 1998. Hope you enjoy.
Jeri's Oasis
Some of my fish.
My version of a tea house
My eucalphsus trees. They are about 15 years old. I have to really cut them back to keep this size.
These are double pink knock out roses that I have had for 3 years now. Love them. They bloomed even last winter.
My Victoria Waterlily. I'm so proud to have this. I had to go to New Orleans after Katrina to secure it, but it was worth the trip.
This is a statue that my daughter and I drugged home before she died in 1997, so it is very special to me.
This is a pitcher plant that I got at the Botanical Garden plant sale in New Orleans after Katrina.
This is a new plant I found this year called Canila. I don't know a whole lot about it other than it likes my back patio because it has doubled in size since June, 2006.
Sorry this is a patio tree not the canila.
This message was edited Aug 25, 2006 3:28 PM
This is called a snow bush and I can't tell you all the colors of the leaves. I purchased it from the LSU plant sale in February, 2006. It was about 6" tall. The man that sold it to me told me to treat it like a hibicus.
This is the bloom of the Victoria Waterlily the first night.
Jeri your yard, no it's more than a yard, is just spectacular! You have created a wonderful oasis or refuge for you & family. I love the waterfall, the fish and the Victoria Waterlily! I love all of it! Very beautiful.
This is the same flower, but the second night it turns pink. Neat Uh!
Oh I love that!
Your yard is amazing!
Beautiful yard, Jeri.
Thank you so much. You would definately think it was amazing if you had to weed it. I have over 2000 sq ft of flower beds in the fenced in area in the back and I'll never be finished. I keep changing different beds.
Jeri
Jeri,
What a beautiul oasis you have created! Thank you so much for sharing it.
I have similar plans, but get discouraged by all the work and time ahead...but you have given me hope and I realize that my dreams aren't too big after all.
I have been scouting waterlilies for my pond. I love those you have. Can you tell me a bit more about how big around they are and how you take care of them? How deep is your pond?
Michelle
I put my backyard in 11 years ago and the waterfall area 9 years ago. I was much younger than and didn't realize the work involved until I was over my head. The waterfall is 9' tall and cascades into a small 6' pond about 4' deep and then passes over a gravel area to fall into my big pond that is about 25' and ranges in depth from 2' to 4'.
I was able to get the Victoria waterlily from American Aquatics in New Orleans on Elysian Fields which is at the end of 9th Ward. In the Amazon the leaves of this plant reach 6' to 7'. Mine is restricted due to the size pot that I have it in. I used a 3' wide X 2' deep small waterfall tub. My larges leaves only got to be about 4'. The waterlily is not hardy to my area and will die in or around November when we get out first frost. The plant flower is white the first night it blooms and then turns pink the second night. I just love it and will try to save some seeds for next year. If I am able to collect the seeds do you want to try it?
Jeri
Wow Jeri I love the oasis you have created. I would love to have the same kind of enviroment .
Oh yes! I would love to try seeds and you are so generous to offer!
My pond is about 8x10 feet wide and 4 feet deep. No plant shelves. I didn't design it... will be putting in bricks or stands for shelves on one side next month for LA Irises in pots.
I thought at least one or two of these large pads would look good if I have room. Based on what you are saying I could put them in if the pot were small enough to contain their size, but I might have to go with something smaller due to the small size of my pond. What do you think?
I want the water coverage for shade. It gets no shade and It is not stocked with fish yet. Want the shade for the future fish.
Ok I have to ask a question- do you guys have trouble w/ neighborhood cats, or wild critters like raccoons getting your fish? And what do you do w/ your fish when the weather turns cold?
Amazing job, love the waterlily.
I have a trap and I catch whatever and call the S>P>C>A> to come pick them up. If it is a wild animal they take it to Bluebonnet wildllife and turn it loose. My pond is 4' deep at the deep end and my fish winter just fine there. All but my algie eaters and I replace them each year.
jerri, it's gorgeous! AND i was completely shocked when i saw where you were. i grew up in greenwell springs (bellingrath hills subdivision) and have some of the fondest memories of our little town. i probably wouldn't recognize it now. beautiful work! thanks for sharing :o))
ASHLEYKELLY
THANKS !!!
I HAVE NICHOLSON MOBILE HOMES BETWEEN BELLINGRATH HILLS & SULLIVAN RD ON GREENWELL SPRINGS RD. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU LIVED AND I ALSO LIVED FOR AWHILE IN NEW IBERIA.
JERI
Jeri,
this is fantastic. I would love to see a better picture of your waterfall. what size pump do you have running? Thatis incredible.
Here are few more pictures. My ponds are 8000 gallons, I have a 5000 gal pump and a 3000 gal pump with 2 bead filters and a 4' UV light.
This a shot of the large pond.
Another shot of the waterfall. You do realize that we have no rocks or even hills in my section of Louisiana. We imported all the stones and pavers from Tennessee.
OMG Jeri That's incredible! What a great design and placement of all your rocks!
My dh saw these Pics and said your pond and waterfall look just like something natural he would see in his home state Ohio.
I do know about no rocks, I am in Central Florida!
I'd trade sand anyday for them! They are so expensive here.
I even started making my own flat ones for my paths.
I haven't gotten many done; waiting for cooler weather!LOL
I contacted a rock quarry in Tennennesse and asked for pictures of their rocks and how much each weighted and my dh figured out the truck loads is how I got my rocks. The lady at the quarry said nobody had ever done that before and she thought I was crazy.
Jeri
Of course it's been a few years, but send her a picture and a thank you note and then sign it "Crazy in LA."lol!
What a smart Dh you have too!
What a gorgeous yard you have. The waterfall is something to die for. All your plants and trees I would really love to come and take a tour of your yard.
I have a snow bush as you call it. It is a hibiscus I thought. Mine was called a snow queen but looks exactly like yours.
Keep the pictures coming. Love them.
Linda
BTW how many caladiums do you have planted in that one picture. The fifth one down. It is really spectacular looking.
Jeri,
This is truly awesome. The waterlilies alone are fabulous, and everything is put together so artfully. Thanks for sharing.
Susan in Minneapolis
You have a really lovely garden, Jerri.... I was just curious as to where you got hold of a Kanon statue? Well, Kanon is her name in Japanese, I'm not sure what it is in Chinese or Sanskrit, but she's the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
I'm not Buddhist or anything, but I learned a good bit about Buddhism when I was stationed in Japan...
@ Shellabella, If you want rocks, just come up here and the local farmers would be more than happy to let you raid their rock piles, LOL Every farmer around here has a huge pile of limestone rocks they've pulled from their fields every year, and would be more than happy to trade them for some sand (our soil is about 98% clay around here).
This message was edited Aug 22, 2006 12:19 PM
Yes Kansas has the rocks as well. We even have a rock fence on the North side of our land. Come and take all you want.
Actually I bought two truck loads of limestone, went & picked out all the brown ones because that was the color theme I wanted. First, it rained while they were still in a pile and all the brown washed off. Then I found out the limestone would kill any thought I might have of fish. So I used the limestone around my flower beds and call the quarry in Tennessee. You live and learn and usually I learn be doing it wrong first. But at least I don't give up!!!
Thank you so much for the ideas. Oh I would LOVE to take a trip up North and bring back some rocks. Just getting out of this place is hard with all our obligations, I haven't had a vaccation in years!
The lime in the lime stone being bad for the fish........ I imagine this is the same reason we only use the homemade stones on the paths and patios. Newly cured cement is also bad for fish.
We have "real" rocks around our pond and for our "Small" waterfall. Paid dearly for them a few years ago. We even moved them from our other place to this one. lol! It was cheaper to hire some strong backs than to buy new ones. Made more than a few trips in the pickup but it was worth it.