2026 MWGS Water Garden Tour Sites

This site boasts two beautiful pond water features.  The smaller of the two was built in 2020 and the larger one was built in 2023.  they both feature a Natural Filtration System and gorgeous waterfalls.  the larger pond has a small meandering stream and a large grand waterfall.  Enjoy the water plants, fish and so much more.  If you’re lucky, you may even get a peek at the homeowner’s bearded dragon who enjoys sunning on the rocks along the pond’s edge.

This beautiful Japanese pond water feature was built in 2024 and features stunning one-of-a-kind elements.  Walk across the floating granite rock bridge on your way to the open Japanese tea house.  A Natural Filtration System starts the 10 foot stream which flows into a beautiful pond edged with sleek Mexican Beach Pebbles.  this pond water feature brings calmness to the yard that the homeowners desired.

Installed in the fall of 2021, this pondless water feature brings the beauty and movement of water to the yard without the maintenance required for keeping fish.  A 25-foot twisted stream winds through the landscape, accented by small waterfalls before ending beside the patio.  Because it’s pondless, the entire system can be turned on and off remotely with ease.  With several large red oak trees in the backyard, a pondless system makes seasonal care simple – easy to start up in spring, low maintenance throughout summer, and effortless to shut down in fall.  Two control valves allow the homeowner to adjust the water flow, creating anything from a fast, lively cascade to a slower, more serene stream.  The sound and movement of water add a wonderful sensory dimension to a yard filled with flowers and shrubs, transforming the patio into a true backyard oasis.

This remarkable pond was designed and built entirely by the homeowner, who documented the entire process with a full photo record.  Tucked into the backyard of their spacious 1-acre lot, the pond emerges from a stand of mature spruce trees, where a 20-foot, four-tiered waterfall and stream cascade into a 20′ x 15′ koi pond.  Originally constructed in 2003, the pond is part of a charming landscape that includes a whimsical cottage playhouse – first enjoyed by their four children and now by their nine grandchildren.  Multiple “garden rooms” are connected by Chilton flagstone patios and winding paths that lead to a fire pit framed by a self-milled cedar arbor.  Nearby, a 1930s garage has been transformed into their own Heritage Irish Pub.  The pond can be viewed and appreciated from many vantage points:  the patios, the garden rooms, the pub, and a large deck overlooking the backyard.  With three water features, sweeping perennial gardens, water plants, and colorful koi, the entire setting became the perfect backdrop for their daughter’s wedding this past summer.

It all started with rain chains on a Christmas list.   This is a DIY pond built by 70+ year olds.  We initially conceived of a small pond under the rain chains, 3 feet by 5 feet.   It ended up being about 9 feet by 12 feet for the main pond area.   The water capacity is about 3,500 gallons featuring 2 bogs with a cascade, a small upper pond with a waterfall, a bubbler rock drilled by the homeowner, a rock pillar fountain; a bridge, and “pretty” rocks set aside and placed around the edge.   You’ll also find a fish and a laughing face created by nature.  The yard is surrounded by perennial gardens with around 200 daylilies.  Come enjoy our oasis.

A 20′ x 25′ backyard pond abuts the patio allowing close up feeding of the many koi and a view of the many hardy water lilies. A split waterfall then tumbles 6 feet to a lower 8’x10′ pond where the water is pumped back up to a gentle waterfall by the patio. Several paths around the ponds and through the gardens showcase a large garden with a mix of perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees, taking advantage of the wet, dry, sunny, shady, hilly and flat aspects of the terrain. Tons of Dresser trap rock, a variety of garden art/sculptures and an upper deck overlooking the ponds/gardens further enhance the experience. Check out the expansive front garden and small pond by the front door with a variety of tropical water lilies. This site has been featured on Kare 11, the Mpls Star Tribune and St Paul Pioneer Press.

 

This charming 1,300‑gallon pond is a true labor of love, designed and hand‑built by the homeowner just 3 years ago and continually evolving as a work in progress. At its heart is an impressive 8‑foot waterfall that spills down into the pond, creating a soothing soundtrack that fills the yard.  Two small bogs sit at the base of the waterfall, naturally filtering the water and adding lush texture to the landscape. Every stone in the feature has a story — all were collected by the homeowner from various job sites over the years, giving the pond a personal, meaningful connection to their craft.  The pond is home to ten koi and one “lonely” goldfish who has happily claimed the space as its own. Flagstone landscaping surrounds the water feature, tying the entire setting together with a clean, natural look.  What began as a DIY project has grown into a beautiful, living centerpiece — a testament to creativity, patience, and the joy of building something by hand.

 

This back yard is a more natural approach to water featured yards. The concept simply helps minimize some of the grounds keeping maintenances other designs require for upkeep. This naturalized approach utilizes the previous year’s growth to aid soil conservation and repopulation of perennial native plants.  Native plants attract various pollinators and other wildlife. This yard is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat and is home to a variety of visitors.  The yard also contains a 4-foot deep, 6,500 gal. koi/goldfish pond fed by a 5-tier waterfall/stream located adjacent to the deck. This provides a relaxing sound which masks most suburban noises.

The style is Chinese Asian Inspired, and a garden is never done. You will see examples of both in abundance. It’s not really a flower garden though it certainly has flowering plants. Most of the gardens are in dappled shade. There are three water features two of which are connected, the lower pond and the upper bog walk. There is also a rain only water feature called Swede Hollow.  The residence was the 2nd structure built on the east side of Lake Phalen and it was built as a country club for the active business associations on Arcade and Payne Ave. It was called the Weequah Canoe Club. It is 100 years old as of 2024. At the time there was a canoe shed on the west side of the lake that would hold 200 canoes. Canoeing was a bid deal in 1924. We often wondered what the word Weequah really meant and several years ago we stumbled upon an old Collars article referring to a Weequahic summer coming from an eastern American Indian dialect.

Site 10:  Rick and Mary  –  Woodbury

Their pond is located right outside their back door, adjacent to their patio. It is where they enjoy their morning and evening meals as they listen to the sound of the water and watch the Koi swimming. A bench on the other side of the pond allows a different viewpoint and is a great spot for relaxing anytime during the day. The pond has two waterfalls that spill into a 15 x 25-foot koi pond, an upper bog and a lower bog.  The pond was built with a rock tunnel under the lower bog that allows the Koi to hide from predators. The yard also has many different perennial gardens, a fire pit area and a retaining wall all built by the homeowners and there are several smaller water container gardens sprinkled throughout the gardens. The gardens and pond attract many birds to the yard which provide year-round entertainment.