Need some help with a pond idea.

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

That sounds very cool! I know that moss will grow on old wood. If that is the case do you think wood chips like you would use for mulch would work? I think I have seen where you put a cup of buttermilk or something along with a good helping of the moss in a blender to make a king of soupy paste and spread that on to what you are wanting the moss to grow on. The buttermilk will help it get a good start but I would think it would need something organic to grow on to continue to get nutrients. I have never tried it so I do not know for sure how it works. I live in a wooded area and can find the moss for you if you would like to try it. Post pics when you get it done.

Hi, Would it be possible to make a base for planting ....the moss or other suitable plant.... from wire, stuff it with spagnum and then plant your plants into it?
I know they do this at Disney ....make mickey shaped topiaries etc.
The water from the finial would keep the spagnum moist as well as water the plants/moss planted in it.
Now I have read that moss doesn't actually root into the soil or whatever it is on. So the spagnum would be there as a support mechanism and a moisture source.

Here is a pic of something similar........ http://www.littleandlewis.com/llhtml/install4.html

Shellabella, thank you so much for the link. There are some amazing things in that garden! I don't think I am going to be contect with my cattle panel trellis and rickety garage sale bench anymore........ :^)

OMG that is exactly the tree that was on HGTV. Those guys that the show was about were designers. So it was baby's tears then, not moss. Ok, so how would I hold the baby's tears on the platform? Do you guys see now what I was saying with adding those things together to try to create something similar, but yet unique?

Steph

Lily
The baby's tears they said somewhere I read are planted in a "bowl "on that "tree".
They may have mounded up soil and spagnum in the bowl and put plastic coated hardware cloth or a framework of some type over the mound to hold in the soil and spag and maintain that mounded shape.
I think if one did that and then made some holes in the hardware cloth or wire and inserted the plants....small ones... they would grow and fill in over the "dome".