I planted red pentas last year and they were much loved by the hummingbirds. In fact, I plan on planting it again it was such a hit. The pentas were particularly nice because unlike some plants, they never looked tired or like they were in desperate need of deadheading.

I want to change some things around this year and am thinking about planting nasturtiums around my pond, since it's the kind of soil and conditions they seem to prefer. I'm hoping these are a hit as well. Does anyone know how much they like nasturtiums? (I would think those would make them very happy...)

I also had great luck with lantana and verbena, coral honeysuckle and firebush.

Thanks, I just got back from getting some so it is glad to know. I did get the red kind of course.

I'm so jealous you have a pond. I really want one but I know the dogs would have a hayday in the back with one and I'm not courageous enough to do one in the front. My neighbors already think I'm insane for removing half my grass this year as it is. To think they are actually trying to grow grass. Silly foolish people.

can you start with a large black container (you know the kind you get at lowe's or whatever- you can put in a whiskey barrel).. and just a few plants & a couple fish with a small pump? or would your dogs just want to crawl in? LOL!

Just when I think they are getting too old to mess stuff up they totally surprise me with their old age vigor. I just tell myself to enjoy them while they are still around and plant the crap out of the front of my house while they enjoy the back. One day I'll be landscaping my back yard with tears in my eyes wishing I had my dogs destroying stuff. My husband and I have both decided that next dog will be an english bulldog that will be a lot less active then the two we have now. As much as we love them it is our dream to one day have a beautiful back yard that we can enjoy as much as they do. I get so jealous to see dogs in back yard pictures where the soil isn't so compacted and surrounded with holes everywhere. LOL. But, I wouldn't trade them for a yard out of a magazine or anything else in this world.

hbwright,

My neighbors already think I'm insane for removing half my grass this year as it is. To think they are actually trying to grow grass. Silly foolish people.

Thanks for the grin...those are my thoughts exactly! All towards the effort of making things low-maintenance, right?

I'm just lucky my dog respects boundaries very well (most of the time!) Could you consider an above-ground pond?

I've considered it but think we'll end up waiting. It is probably a couple years in the future. I still have "expandable beds" in the front and sides that will be my next projects. We have a berm in the back that would make for a great waterfall so I'm kind of planning on how that will be for my future project. I think I'm going to start collecting rocks and stuff though for it. We have pleanty around here that I shouldn't have to buy much. That is a consideration though. I'll have to bring that up with the hubby.