Maybe that’s why water features like ponds, pools and water gardens are becoming so popular these days and such welcome additions to our yards.
“More and more people are spend time at home and want more than just a landscaped garden,” said John Ohling, owner of Suncoast Water Gardens in Spring Hill.
“Only a few rich Florida residents can live waterfront or next to a lake, but most homeowners can afford to install a water feature on their property complete with exotic fish and beautiful aquatic plants like lilies and lotus blossoms,” he said.
Ohling’s advice for residents who want to incorporate a water feature is to design something that you can afford, appreciate each day, and fits in with the landscape.
“A simple, informal pool can be just as stunning as a large pond with fountains or sculptures,” he said.
Ohling and his wife, Beverly, both retired post office workers, have been building their business, Suncoast Watergardens, for over a decade.
“We’re definitely a family business,” said Ohling. “My wife does the bookwork and payroll, and helps at the store,” he said. “My son, Shawn, designs each project’s lighting landscape.”
“ But I also have my two other ‘blessings’,” he said.
Ohling is referring to Jason Osborne and Mary Paulus – two employees at Suncoast Water Gardens. For several years now, they’ve run their own independent activities to complement Suncoast Water Gardens.
“I was so busy designing and constructing water garden that I needed someone to take charge of the terrestrial plants that I need,” said Ohling, “Jason’s specialty is clumping bamboo.”
Ohling explained that bamboo is an invasive plant that will take over your garden but clumping bamboo is a totally different variety that will form neat, uniform clumps exactly where you want them.
“And then Mary was recommended for her creativity with fairy gardens,” said Ohling.
Paulus’ specialty is creating miniature fairy gardens for customers. She creates enchanting, whimsical container gardens that have endless opportunities for customization with tiny trees, succulents and accessories.
“Jason and Mary are my right-hand guys,” said Ohling. “My time is spent mostly at client locations so they take care of just about everything when I’m not here.
Suncoast Water Gardens has built hundreds of customized ponds from small backyard gardens to waterfalls, cascading streams, water gardens, and koi fish ponds.
“It used to be that building a pond used to require permitting, huge amounts of time and a ton of labor,” said Ohling. “Concrete is still used for some very large ponds, but most medium-sized water gardens are formed with a flexible rubber liner,” Ohling said. “It’s about 45 mm thick, extremely tough, resilient and lasts for decades.”
Ohling said he gets his inspiration from friend and personal mentor, Rick Bartel of the Savio Water Feature Institute.
“I use his methodology of water garden design that uses R.I.S.E. — an acronym that stands for random, irregular, spontaneous and erratic,” he said.
When he designs a water garden, Ohling aims to mimic nature based on Bartel’s principles. Organic and irregular, using real rocks and boulders and with fish and aquatic plants. A soothing and relaxing sound is also important.
“My clients usually have a vision of what they want when they first approach me,” said Ohling. “Then I factor in the size, shape and location and drainage, boulders and electrical needs.”
Ohling also grows all his aquatic plants –
“Ponds need aquatic plants, fish, and water snails for ecological balance,” said Ohling. “So I grow them myself here in the back of my property,” he said. “The fish control algae and mosquito larvae.”
Behind the Suncoast Water Gardens store are several ponds which grow and sustain the aquatic plants. Several other aerated pools are bursting with colorful koi fish and goldfish.
Water lilies come in various sizes and a multitude of colors and the Ohlings sell just about any color imaginable.
“Water lilies can be day bloomers or night bloomers,” he said.
In 2005, Suncoast Water Gardens was asked to participate in the tv program “Extreme Makeover – Home Edition.” According to the Suncoast Water Gardens Facebook page, a family in St. Petersburg were going through a traumatic time because the father had been shot and blinded in the process of a robbery while at work. John Ohling installed pottery fountains on either side of the front entrance to help the father navigate through the home.
“I love what I do,” said Ohling. “I want my customers to be happy.”
Installing a waterscape will transform your property into a little oasis. With soothing water sounds, fish and colorful blossoms, water features can be a beautiful addition to any size of yard and provide hours and hours of enjoyment.
John Ohling can be contacted at 352.688-8788.
IF YOU GO
Suncoast Water Gardens is located at
9229 County Line Road, Spring Hill, FL 34608
Hours
Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday –
9am to 5pm
Closed on Sunday
Visit: suncoastwatergardens.com
