Pond # 10a --Bonus Pond

There are small ponds, medium sized ponds, large ponds,  then we jump  to  the  range  of  small   lakes.    At  over  50,000  gallons,  the combined  bodies of water  you will see here  definitely  fall into the latter category. First, as you come through the entrance gates  you will  be greeted by an elegant  two tier pond connected by a simple, but stately, semicircular waterfall.   This is not the lake! Park in the driveway,  walk around  the house  to the  right  and the lake  will  find  you.  There are  actually  two small  lakes here, each with its own filtration system and separated  by just a small strip of land.  A nicely scaled border  of river rocks  gives a natural looking boundary   around  the   perimeter   of  each   lakes,   and  both  are highlighted  by the placement  of Colorado Red boulders for added interest.    All   in   all,  a   monumental  undertaking   of  design  and construction   by   Nash  Gardens.    The   twin   lakes  are  superbly maintained  by  the  knowledgeable  crew  from  Salty  Fin,  headed by new owner, Clif Stevens. How many koi you wonder?  Too many to count,  but  they number  in the hundreds  with  more on the way each  year.   Fish  will  be  fish you  know.   Most  of  the  planting  is relatively  new  this  year,  so  this  entire  waterscape will   change dramatically  as  plants  mature  and  grow.   We will  have to come back in a few years for another look.

Pond # 11

 Pond viewers are in for a real treat before even arriving at the next pond. Once you turn on Vista del Monte you will see one of the most beautiful, old residential neighborhoods to be found in El Paso. What makes these homes so pleasing to see is the striking design of each and how they  sit on huge, spacious lots, a rarity in our over-developed subdivisions. Enjoy the scenery along the way! When you arrive at the pond, you will see one of the more unusual water garden settings and pond designs that we have ever shown on the Parade of Ponds. Built about eight years ago by Desierto Landscaping, it is immediately distinguishable by the dominant use of large grey and tan field stone rarely used for ponds any more. This 2,000 gallon koi ponds is connected by a sixty foot meandering stream that looks perfectly natural in this most serene setting. This pond just recently underwent a major renovation by adding two bottom drains, an ultraviolet ligt and a new Aquadyne bead filter for better water quality. The renovation work was done by Denco, Inc. located at Nash Gardens.

Pond # 12

Earlier this year these beautifully landscaped grounds were featured on the Garden Conservancy’s Annual Tour. Now, their classic, twenty year old koi pond is the featured attraction and provides one of the best places to observe a collection of prized koi as can be found anywhere in El Paso. What makes for such good viewing of our favorite fish is the lack of water plants for the koi to hide under while necessary shade is adequately provided by sun control structures overhead. This helps bring the fish to the surface so they can be seen and heard up close and personal. There are actually two ponds here, the top pond with about 24 prized koi ranging from 4 to 10 years old, and the bottom pond home to refugees from fish ponds past. The two ponds are joined by a finely sculpted stone water trough about forty feet long and when all combined hold 12,000 gallons. Filtration is through a large bead filter aided by two UV sterilizers and three separate pumps. The border growth of matured and well-trimmed pittisporum evergreens provide a refreshing change from the  rocks and stones that normally border koi ponds.

Pond # 13

Here is a pond that is always a favorite on our Tour, each time with uniquely different look than before. This year the entire back yard pond area has been transformed into a pond owner’s dream. Nash Gardens outdid themselves with this multi-faceted, multi-tiered stone, rock, water and landscape sculpture. The finished product is as good as it gets in El Paso, and combined with latest trend in outdoor living/entertaining areas, creates  a perfect blend of aesthetic form and useful function.  The new, sculpted pond holds 3,000 gallons and will be home to about 30 of the owner’s prized koi. On the way into the yard, you will see what many consider to be  the best looking large koi pond in the area. This pond of 7,500 gallons, has a very affective natural bog filtration system as evidenced by the crystal-like clarity of the water. Darrell has even trained the colorful koi not to eat the lilies which is highly unusual. This particular location is registered as a National Wildlife Backyard Habitat which is quite a distinction considering the competition.  Oh, to be a koi on Memory Drive, or even a frog.

Pond # 14

Here  you will see  another pristine  waterscape setting that looks like  it came  from the  pages  of House  and  Garden.  Every stone, every plant,  every artifact,  and even the fish  are in  just the right place.  Since first appearing on our Tour in 2002, several interesting water features have been added, including a 700 gallon turtle pond completed just  this year.  Look for the  same  prerequisites or ALL aquatic turtle ponds as stated in the Pond #10 description.  What the owner added here was a built-in feeding shelf where the turtles will come to expect their  yummy dinner to be served each day. The four foot depth is also a good thing for a turtle pond as it will provide a more safe and secure environment for their hibernation  period from November thru April. The  gorgeous  koi and lilly pond with its  falls and stream  features a gravity fed  Vortex filtration system considered state of the art by many. If you are looking for the  best filtration,  Ken will be  happy to  do a show  and tell of his pride and joy.  Just ask.   Then, ask Susie about her  turtles.