Page 25 - Landscape-Issue153

FEATURE

One of the specially cultivated water lily varieties in the pond

giant water lily, Victoria amazonica. Bringing the pond back to life rubber lining to prevent leakages.
However being more suited to tropical In 2011, a full renovation of the Currently, the lilies are all planted in
climates, these giants never reached pond commenced and the bridge their own, individual planter boxes to
adulthood and were removed from was replaced with a more sleek and prevent any one species from taking over
the pond. What makes this species so aesthetically pleasing version, as well the entire pond. An established ecosystem
impressive is the sheer size of the lily as a water pump and established has sprung up in and around the pond,
pad, reaching up to three metres when ecosystem; the pond was rebuilt using which contains fish such as Tilapia, Rocky
fully grown and being strong enough a wetland ecosystem-based design, Mountain Minnows, the African Clawed
to support the weight of a child. and was lined with a 1.5mm thick Frog and two species of toad.
In 2021, an extensive clean-up of the
pond was initiated, which included the
repotting of the water lilies. The bridge over
the pond was repainted in 2025 and annual
maintenance will take place every spring.
Living museum with benefits
The lily pond serves as a type of living
museum that recreates and preserves
a similar scene to the one that Monet
drew inspiration from, and is thus a living
artwork. It is also an oasis for wildlife
that would otherwise not have a habitat
in the concrete jungle surrounding the
university.
By serving as a quiet zone where visitors
can relax and unwind, the pond provides
a sense of well-being for people and a life
below water, providing shelter for frogs
and fish. It is a calming and sustainable
green space.

Information and photos supplied by the
Department of Institutional Advancement,
university of Pretoria. n

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