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When Ken and Barbara Nieman moved into this Point Loma , California , home in 1994 , the neglect 1 - acre lot had nothing but quondam scrubby George Herbert Walker Bush , a patchy lawn , and a enceinte scandal romp expanse where a child ’s swing go down once stood . The Niemans , who are now retired and have no children living at home , envisioned creating a different sort of drama surface area , one that fish and local wildlife could enjoy .
The various aquatic industrial plant in the pool tally beauty , but were primarily opt for functional intent . The spread leaves of the water lilies provide refinement and hatch for the fish , while body of water hyacinth help with purgation . In the center of the pond , magniloquent flag sword lily - sitting on a submerged flagstone shelf - aid with rude filtration .
“ This 15,000 - gallon ornamental koi pool came about as a way to make over the yard , ” says the Niemans ’ girl Julie Marker . “ My parent opine creating a “ meadow lake ” in this domain , so they had the pool built with the lawn going right up to its edges , and planted a few white - bark Jacquemontii birch trees around the pond to bestow to the meadow feel . ”
Although the yard ’s old swing do and recreate equipment is long hold out , it ’s still a favorable environment for children , with a overcrossing and xanthous playhouse at the far end flank by large , tropic tree diagram fern .
The pond was also designed to cater an ideal surroundings for koi and other aquatic life . The site was excavate to a depth of only 2 feet , but its reinforced concrete wall are enshroud with a black raincoat coating to create the magic trick of deeper piss . An clandestine drain pipage arrangement leads to a filter and an above - terra firma mechanical pump hidden by a cinder stoppage wall covered with vine . To help move and oxygenate the water , the Niemans installed a rock falls and other water statuary , which figure out in unison with the ticker organisation to maintain skillful water character for the pond ’s many visitor . “ The pool has attracted a few turtles that seem to appear out of nowhere , as well as frogs and birds of all kinds — Hero , war hawk , raging ducks , and even the small , green wild parrots ( red - crown Amazons ) that know in this area of Point Loma , ” says Marker .
Another area of the grounds offers a pleasant outing for adults and children alike , with a flagstone walk that wind its way past a I. F. Stone bench , rocking chair , and layer of lily of the Nile and ending near a wishing well deposit by a variety of fruit trees .
In addition to installing the pool , the Niemans have planted a yield - shell assortment of trees in the yard , including banana tree , beauty , plum tree , avocado , and orange . They have also come up with a ingenious , conservational approach to watering them . “ One corking feature is that when the pond ’s filter needs to be backflushed , the ticker can direct the nutrient - full-bodied piss through a pipe to empty out by the fruit trees , providing them with water and a sorting of innate fertilizer , ” say Marker .
For flower lovers , a charming white - picketed garden region shows off raised bed full of colorful wildflowers , perennial , and annuals , including nasturtiums , cosmos , Peruvian lily , snapdragons , daisy ’s , delphiniums , and calla lilies . “ Something is always in flush , providing coloration all class around in the gay San Diego mood , ” says Marker .
A garden sign that insinuates dragon are nearby is one of the many impulsive point in the yard , added for the delight of visit grandchild , says Marker .
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