Aquascape is a process in which your water feature is designed with the natural elements, instead of concrete, resulting in a much more pleasant experience when sitting outside. Maintenance is less than a backyard pool, if you can believe that! That's because you need the bacteria and (some) algae to provide the filtering and cleaning, which in turn gives you clearer, crisper ponds.
"Aquascape’s vision focuses on an ecosystem approach to water features that relies on the most natural balance of circulation, filtration, plants, fish, and rocks and gravel to ensure sustainability. As a natural evolution, Aquascape strengthens and cultivates its commitment to the environment and the responsible use of water.
Water is our planet’s greatest resource and Aquascape is dedicated to providing natural, responsible, and creative landscape solutions. In 2008 we focused on a business strategy that is fully committed to environmental sustainability. In addition to our ecosystem pond philosophy, Aquascape extols the therapeutic benefits of the water gardening lifestyle and current research confirms and strengthens that position.
The release of the preliminary Sustainable Sites Initiative report in November 2007 affirmed that “natural environments play an important role in enhancing human health and well-being.” The report further states that managed natural elements attract customers, and improve real estate values, among other benefits. (Standards & Guidelines: Preliminary Report. November 1, 2007. www.sustainablesites.org.)
The Sustainable Sites Initiative’s benchmarks as listed in its 2008 Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Report are “designed to preserve or restore a site’s sustainability within the context of ecosystem services–the idea that healthy ecosystems provide goods and services of benefit to humans and other organisms.”
Mainstream organizations embrace Aquascape’s ecosystem philosophy. Aquascape currently provides ecological solutions for wetland restoration and storm water management in numerous locations, and is poised to further expand its environmental position through new product development initiatives.
New product development remains at the forefront of Aquascape’s environmental and business strategy. Environmentally-focused, innovative products are currently being developed and tested. The intelligent use of water is being addressed so companies and consumers alike can face challenges associated with drought and rain water run-off."
This last season gave us the opportunity to work exclusively with water features (that also chose to utilize our professional services as landscapers). We became obsessed with every unique project, as no one is exactly alike.
We also got a taste of what a large collaboration of several "AquaScape Artists of The Year" Including Decker's Pondscapes out of New York, John Adams from Modern Design Aquascaping, Nethery Landscapes, and of course, THE Godfathers of the Aquascape brand and natural water features, Brian Helfrich, and Greg Whittstock! We really just wanted to get the experience with water features, but we got the Mother Load of surprises with an invitation to do a massive build in Ontario for Garden Answer's Laura LeBoutillier!
Collaborations consist of no less than 2 dozen people working their area of expertise. For example, John Adams from Modern Design has the top eye among CAC, so he focused on lighting, tucking in edges of liner, plants and placement of logs, while Decker strapped and set the rocks. It was an amalgamation of sheer talent, work ethic and planning. Not many in the water feature world get access to that volume of indispensable knowledge and experience. I'm pretty sure in the 3 days were on this, I crammed probably 25 years of knowledge into my brain.
Pop on over to our 2023 Season tab to see the pics of Lauras!
This year, we are mostly focusing on Water Feature installations, although we will take a few landscaping projects. Last year, our clients opted to have us professionally landscape what we put in, just because yes, we ARE that good.
AquaScape is a Lifestyle all in itself. One you need to experience.