It is that time of year again for the annual Water Garden Tour hosted by the Sunflower Water Garden Society and this year may prove to be the biggest one yet. With over 20 ponds on the tour the $10 entrance fee will give you a big bang for the buck. The tour runs the gamut on pond varieties from the serious pond aficionado to the novice first timer, from the wild untamed aquatic experience to the sleek and contemporary, this tour should have a little something for everyone. So, break out your notebooks and jot down some sketches and scribbles because if you lack a vision for your own water feature you are sure to hit the jackpot while viewing these outdoor creations.

Two of the gardens on the tour this year were kind enough to open their doors and give me a sneak peek of what to expect. This duo of water wonders could not be more different; one is streamlined and luxurious while the other is vast and playful. One is built around confined spaces and city living while the other has a bounty of areas to play with and a wild nature cradled in the bosom of the Kansas countryside. Both are inspiring, creative, and peaceful but most importantly they fit the home owners like a glove.

City Living

“God, it’s hot” Constance Wolfe bellowed to her husband John Novosel one blistering August afternoon while trying to catch some relief on their intimate outdoor patio. It can be tough to escape the Kansas heat without resigning to the fact that you must be near an air conditioner duct all summer, cabin fever after all is meant for winter, so what is a couple to do? Constance recalls, “We knew we needed some water in the garden one day when we were just sitting there and sweating bullets. We tossed around the idea of a fountain where humans can cool off but we ultimately opted for a mini pool.”

What the two created is truly the best of both worlds, it is a union of two ponds one for the aquatic plants and some fish, the other for soothing aches and staying cool. This uber-modern, straight-lined, smooth water feature is perfect for the small space that their Old West Lawrence lot provides. The “human pool” is around 3 feet deep and 15 feet long, it fits a raft for sun bathing or a handful of friends for an intimate pool party. Three downy waterfalls gracefully hit the main pool creating a lovely sound that completely filters out the rather busy road but 50 feet away. A slightly taller and perfectly square pond for the plants sits above the human pond. Wolfe has a thriving water lily with delicate pink blooms and a spiky iris plant residing in the upper pond, she is going to add fish once the ecosystem buffs up a bit more.

The only problem with having created a water wonderland that looks like it was torn right out of the pages of Better Homes and Gardens? Wolfe reveals, “John keeps threatening that he might not want to vacation any longer. He says he doesn’t need to go anywhere now that his backyard is like a suite at the Hyatt.” I might have to pack my bags and check into the Wolfe/Novosel household for my next tryst with some R&R.

Country’s Where to Be

Jill Kleinberg has plenty of space, in fact she has so much space she has created at least five serious aquatic focal points and countless other water marvels. Her Dan Rockhill designed, home is a fusion of modern angular architecture meets meandering dry streams and prairies of puffy grasses and colorful wildflowers. It is truly a study in old meeting new, ancient found objects colliding with an artistic eye to create surprises and delights around practically every corner of her expansive acreage.

Kleinberg’s mother is a ceramicist and her love of pots is quite evidently seeped into her daughter for Jill has dozens of enormous pots all filled with water and intricate ecosystems from the Lotus perched in a pot large enough for three adults to wade in to miniscule mosaic leafed plants floating in petite containers.

The property boasts a large rhombus reflecting pool that plays with the butterfly shape of Kleinberg’s home. The pool has been laid with tile in random shards and bits in a rainbow of colors to frame the still waters below, a grouping of five metal heron sculptures are permanent fixtures lending some gravitas to the piece.

Around the corner of the home in what Kleinberg refers to as her ‘Japanese garden area’ another unexpected water feature has a trickling stream spewing from an old, rusty pipe that has been bent in the shape of an upside down “U”, the boulders that the waters run into appear as if it has been there for hundreds of years and the water has carved away a canyon in the rocks façade.

As you tread on a path made of old radiator grills to the mud and straw bail tea house that was recently completed, another water feature beckons a closer look. This tall ceramic piece has a cavernous sound to it as the liquid trickles down the accordion like artwork, hugging it’s tall, beveled sides until finally lightly splashing down to the pebbles below. Not only is this a beautiful water accessory but it adds to the serenity when Kleinberg is practicing her yoga and meditation.

Kleinberg recently retired from the School of Business at KU where she taught for many years. She has lived in Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Boston, so how did this big city girl end up in the country? She explains, “We had horses when I was young and I’ve always appreciated space. I have admired the beauty of Kansas for some time. But, I’d lived in a city for so long I thought it defined me however in actuality I’ve never had as much joy as I do from living here in the country. I have even learned to co-exist with the spiders.”

Retired, huh…I’ve only made a dent in the water features and other magnificent surprises that Jill’s garden has to offer. Imagine manning all of these show stoppers yourself? Well, now try adding two giant aquatic ponds to the mix, these big boys are full of life from the Thalia, lilies and Lotus plants to the frogs, bunnies and fish additionally there is all of the landscaping that encompasses the experience, I’m getting weary just thinking about it. Both these magnificent ponds are spectacular displays of what a little ingenuity and sweat equity can accomplish in an outdoor space. I have no doubt that Kleinberg revels in her green thumb but I’m hoping she does it sitting down and with a cold beverage at the end of another day in the yard.

These are two of the many examples that await on the 2006 Water Garden Tour. Tickets will not be sold at the gardens only at Clinton Parkway Nursery, Sunrise Garden Center and Water’s Edge, the cost is $10 and they ask that no strollers or animals come along for the ride. Much of the monies collected from the event are going towards the Lawrence High School’s Latin Club who is bravely taking on the enormous project of constructing a water garden on the schools property. So, get some inspiration and enjoy all of the creativity that Lawrence gardeners will have on display!