Sunday, June 21, 2009

Night at the Ponds

Sunday night was Night at the Ponds at Hill Country Water Gardens. We go every year. They have expanded to almost double its previous size. The new area was just as well landscaped as the original. There was plenty for the early birds to look at around the parking area as there was beautiful beds everywhere.








When the gates opened at 7:00 there was already a large crowd and a long line. They had free wine from several different Texas wineries. I could hear the band as I walked in. They had a nice sound and the singer was very good. It's Austin so you would expect that.


I noticed that they had doubled their water lily ponds. There were many new varieties of lilies but the pond plant that caught my eye was a miniature lotus. It would just be perfect for smaller ponds and trough ponds. My pictures of the blooms didn't turn out very well. I so wished they had as it was a dark color of pink with a bright yellow seed pod in the center. Quite stunning and about the size of a hard ball. The leaves are about 8" in diameter. Not so big as to overwhelm a small pond.

Examples of different pond set ups and possibilities were everywhere.




























A train set up had been incorporated into a new pond in the expanded area. The kids really loved it.


Most of the ponds are more natural looking but a new pond had been built of interest to the more formal crowd. It wasn't my cup of tea but I thought it was quite stunning none the less.



Although there was a 20% discount on everything, I took one look at the check out and decided not to even try. I did make a list of some new plants that I wanted. I hate standing in lines and putting out new plants really should wait till fall. Over all, a really enjoyable evening, walking through the plants, along the trails and around the ponds. Ya'll should try it next year.

4 comments:

Pam/Digging said...

Bob, I was there from around 8 to 8:30 pm. Were you there then? I popped over with the family to use my 20% discount on a water lily for my stock-tank pond-to-be. By that hour, there wasn't a line at check-out, thank goodness. Now I just have to get that pond finished so the water lily can stretch its legs. It's living in a large Tub Trug at the moment, poor thing.

Tabor said...

This has given me some good ideas. Maybe a raised pond for my front yard?

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

I have got to go! I live maybe ten minutes from them, and I have never been! I am afraid what will happen if I do venture over there! LOl!

Diana said...

That looks like a nice way to spend the evening. I'll have to look for it next year. I think there is a pond in my future, it just might be my more distant future. I'm not sure we don't have too many animals around so that it would be a lot of work. Still musing about it! Stay away from that torch today!